Gov't, JNCW continue discussions on preparations for Jordan’s Fourth Universal Periodic Review

AMMAN — Director of the Prime Ministry’s Human Rights Department Khalil Abdallat on Sunday stated that the Jordanian government is committed to empowering and strengthening women’s presence in political and social life.

Abdallat spoke during a one-day consultation meeting with the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) and other women’s groups to discuss preparations for Jordan’s Fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) 2024, which will be presented in Geneva later this year.

“The fact that the Cabinet upheld the Jordanian National Action Plan (JONAP) for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security for the years 2022 to 2025, is proof of the government’s commitment towards empowering women’s status in the Kingdom,” Abdallat told the gathering.

Jordan is the second Arab country to introduce an action plan to implement Resolution 1325.

JONAP presents a significant step at the national and international levels, as it serves as an umbrella that unites the government, the security and military sectors, civil society organisations and other national institutions in their efforts to support the role of women in achieving security and peace. 

The Jordanian government, under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah, has adopted several legislative changes to expand women’s political participation and “boost their social and political participation”, Abdallat added.

Also addressing the gathering was JNCW Secretary General Maha Ali, who praised the government’s commitment to empowering women and its international commitment towards the UPR and other relevant conventions.

Ali indicated that submitting national periodic reports is considered an important opportunity to review and evaluate the status of women's rights in the country.

“The preparation of such reports constitutes an opportunity to launch broad national consultations on the progress made in Jordan's commitments in the field of gender equality and women's empowerment,” Ali told the gathering.

It is also an important opportunity to identify priorities, challenges and obstacles in light of the “regional and national conflicts that hinder the process”, she said.

The UPR, along with the Human Rights Council, was established by UN Resolution 60/251 in 2006, according to its website.

Under this mechanism of the UN human rights system, it involves a review of the human rights records of all UN member states once every 4.5 years, based on the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights instruments to which the state under review is a party.

The review also considers all voluntary pledges and commitments made by the state.  

Abdallat told The Jordan Times that there will be additional future consultation meetings with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as meeting in various governorates.

The government will present the report in Geneva this October, while the discussion will be held in January 2024, according to Abdallat.