Women activists mourn veteran advocate Anas Saket

AMMAN — Jordanian women activists on Sunday mourned the passing away of veteran women’s activist and former president of the General Federation for Jordanian Women (GFJW) Anas Saket.

Saket died on Sunday after a battle with stomach cancer, it was reported. She was laid to rest on Sunday in her hometown of Salt.

Former president of the Jordanian Women’s Union Amneh Zu’bi said Saket’s death was a grave loss for the Jordanian women’s movement.

“Anas dedicated much of her life to women’s causes and voluntary work,” Zu’bi told The Jordan Times.

Zu’bi added that Saket also lobbied for amending laws that discriminate against women locally, regionally and internationally.

“She was a great friend and person who fought for what she believed in,” Zu’bi said.

Meanwhile, GFJW incumbent president and former deputy Nuha Maaytah added that Saket was also very active in areas outside the capital.

Maaytah told The Jordan Times that Saket’s work was very visible in the governorates, where she worked to empower and support women in rural areas by raising their awareness on their rights.

“Anas Saket is gone, God bless her soul,” wrote Asma Khader on her Facebook page.

“She was working quietly, thus earned respect and appreciation from every one.  Another loss for us,” added Khader, a former minster and secretary general the Jordanian National Commission for Women.

Saket served as president of the GFJW for six years and member of the National Centre for Human Rights board of trustees.

An alumnus of American University in Beirut, she had been active in voluntary work and advocating for women’s rights for over 35 years.

Saket told The Jordan Times in 2011 that “women are qualified and capable of holding the highest positions and taking a leading role in political reform. We hope to see better representation in the upcoming government so that women can be effective in society.”  

“Society’s perspective with regards to gender equality and the women’s sector is still disappointing. Any political reform measures must take this aspect into consideration and raise public awareness on women’s roles as partners… not only as housewives,” she added.