Meeting explores media discourse on women’s employment

AMMAN — A meeting, organised by the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Leadership Activity (WEELA) titled “Media and Waged Employment for Women in the Private Sector” on Monday, explored media discourse on women’s employment, as well as the media’s role in changing perceptions about women in the workplace.

WEELA, a project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), “seeks to improve conditions for women’s waged employment, improve their access to labour in the private sector and enhance women’s pathways to leadership positions in both the private and public sectors”, according to USAID.

“Less than one-fifth of Jordan’s women are engaged in the formal workforce,” the USAID website said, noting that social norms often discourage women from working and gaining economic agency. 

In her remarks, WEELA Project Manager Nermin Murad said that “the project mainly aims to create an enabling environment for women’s waged employment and strengthen their access to leadership opportunities”, adding that the media plays a central role when it comes to public opinion concerning fundamental issues. 

“This session also aims to establish true partnership with media representatives,” she noted.

The session further discussed media coverage of women’s access to leadership positions in the public and private sectors.

The session was largely attended by the WEELA team, journalists and media representatives.