Amman: Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdel Moneim Odat on Tuesday said that empowering women is a national duty and a cornerstone of the modernization vision for building a strong and democratic Jordan based on participation, the rule of law, and accountability.
According to Jordan News Agency, Odat emphasized the significance of women in parliament during a specialized training program titled “Practical Applications on Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Skills within the Lower House of Parliament.” This program was organized by the Karak Castle Center for Consulting and Training, in cooperation with the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs and the Jordanian Women Parliamentarians Forum. He noted that the 20th Lower House of Parliament, with 27 women members, is the most representative of women since the establishment of the state.
He underlined that the presence of women in parliament underscores their role as effective partners in shaping public policies and decision-making, aligning with the objectives of the political modernization project launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II at the state’s second centenary. Odat added that specialized training strengthens female parliamentarians’ abilities to perform legislative and oversight duties efficiently, including drafting legislation, reviewing budgets, and applying parliamentary oversight tools such as questions and interpellations.
Odat stressed the importance of women parliamentarians’ engagement in training to enhance their understanding of parliamentary mechanisms, including forming committees and blocs, while also improving legislative quality to ensure alignment with political party platforms.
Assistant Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Huda Naffa emphasized that precision in legislative drafting is essential for building a just society, enhancing laws, and boosting public trust in the legislative process. She highlighted that effective laws require constitutional and legal compliance, as well as broad societal and parliamentary consensus.
Director of the Karak Castle Center Israa Mahadeen stated that women’s representation in parliament reflects the progress of Jordan’s democratic experience. She elaborated that the program combines theory with practical application to exchange experiences and enhance skills, commending the ministry’s role in supporting women’s participation in political and parliamentary life.
The three-day training targets women parliamentarians, focusing on leadership, media, legislative, and advocacy skills, in addition to practical sessions on legislative drafting, lobbying, and consensus-building to strengthen the legislative process and link it to societal realities.