JRF, Dutch embassy launch project to advance gender equality

By Ana V. Ibáñez Prieto - Nov 01,2018 - Last updated at Nov 01,2018

Dutch Ambassador Barbara Joziasse and Inaam Barishi, JRF’s director general, sign agreement in Amman on Wednesday (Photo courtesy of the JRF)

AMMAN — The Jordan River Foundation (JRF) on Wednesday signed a new partnership with the embassy of the Netherlands to launch a project aimed at advancing gender equality through economic and social empowerment in the governorates of Amman, Zarqa and Aqaba.

“The refugee influx has placed growing pressure on Jordan’s infrastructure, resources and social fabric and, while international organisations and donors have largely focused on the north of Jordan, the middle and the south continue to be underserved,” Programme Development Senior Manager at the JRF Aql Aql told The Jordan Times, noting that “the JRF and the embassy of the Netherlands have thus decided to respond to gaps in such programming, where there is an urgent need for intervention”.

Running for a two-year period, the new project will support a total of 500 women and their families in overcoming protection and livelihood risks hindering their economic and social development, according to a statement by the JRF.
With a twofold objective, the initiative will increase female participation in the labour market, and empower women to foster protective and healthy communities, according to the Dutch embassy.

With this aim, the JRF will “train and improve access to practical skills and gainful employment via the expansion of micro and small enterprises, and job placement in private sector organisations”, Aql said.

In addition, the organisation will “ensure child safety and family protection through a set of services aimed at building and reinforcing a healthy and functional family unit and home environment”, according to the project manager.

“Ensuring the social progress and protection of women and children in vulnerable communities is key to achieving not only economic resilience, but social solidarity and stability as well,” Dutch Ambassador Barbara Joziasse said in a statement, stressing that the project comes in line with Foreign Trade and Development Minister Sigrid Kaag's new development agenda.

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