Princess Basma lauds women, youth projects in Jordan Valley

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma on Thursday commended the achievements made by Jordan Valley Links, an enterprise development project for women and youth in the Jordan Valley, in its work that focuses on food processing, community tourism and the use of clean technologies. 

During a ceremony held at the Zaha Cultural Centre, Princess Basma drew attention to the importance of the project, which targets women and youth, highlighting Jordanian women’s capabilities and the potential they can reach with support, empowerment and training, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Jordan Valley Links, implemented by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) since 2016 and funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims at supporting 25,000 entrepreneurial women and youth in the Jordan Valley to increase their contribution to Jordan’s economic growth.  

Women in the Jordan Valley have proven their success in a number of entrepreneurial projects, in spite of the challenges imposed by the area’s environment and work conditions, she said.    

The women’s transfer from a domestic, care-giving role to an economically productive role is the project’s real success, she noted, urging related bodies to support women’s entrepreneurial projects and promote their products to ensure the sustainability and growth of their work.

Planning and International Cooperation Minister Wisam Rabadi, for his part, thanked the Canadian government for supporting the project, highlighting Canada’s “distinguished” efforts in supporting the Kingdom to address the repercussions of refugee influxes and increasing funding to vital sectors.

Christopher Johnston, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Canada, said that Canadian funding to Jordan Valley Links is part of his country’s partnership with Jordan, adding that Canada’s support to the Kingdom aims at improving economic growth, creating jobs and empowering women and youth.

Regional Director of MEDA West Africa and the MENA region Pierre Kadet lauded the project’s economic achievements, highlighting that Jordan Valley Links is a model for “real partnership” that links governmental and non-governmental sectors, Petra reported.

After the ceremony, Princess Basma inaugurated the marketing event “Treasures of Jordan Valley”, during which a number of entrepreneurial women and youth showcased their productive projects.