Amman: Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal, President of the Jordanian National Forum for Women, emphasized the significance of mentorship and English-language programs in empowering girls during a recent event. The program aims to enhance the personal and professional skills of young women, broadening their opportunities for future aspirations.
According to Jordan News Agency, Princess Basma spoke at the closing ceremony of the mentorship and English-language program under the "Motivating Girls and Inspiring Networks for Inclusive and Transformative Education" project. She stressed that investing in girls' education and empowerment is crucial for building a prosperous and sustainable future.
Princess Basma commended the project's objectives, highlighting its focus on introducing participants to non-traditional career paths in key sectors. This initiative has enabled young women to strengthen their English-language proficiency, improve communication skills, and access broader employment opportunities.
She acknowledged the efforts of the forum, its partners, teachers, and volunteers, underscoring the importance of partnerships in supporting girls and expanding their future prospects. The program targeted 108 young women from various governorates, offering specialized training in English and non-traditional employment sectors aligned with labor market demands.
The mentorship-based approach involved experienced female professionals from targeted sectors providing guidance, training, and support through regular meetings, practical learning activities, and field visits. These activities were conducted in cooperation with Microsoft Jordan, the Business and Professional Women Association, and the Irbid Tourism Directorate.
Ruba Matarneh, Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Forum for Women, stated that the program was implemented by Amideast in partnership with the coalition and the Ren© Moawad Foundation, with funding from the French Development Agency and in cooperation with the International Rescue Committee. The initiative focused on non-traditional employment sectors requiring advanced communication skills, such as technology, artificial intelligence, business, banking, and tourism.
Matarneh noted that the program aimed to address social and educational challenges facing young women, especially in rural areas and communities outside major urban centers. It addressed the gap between educational outcomes and labor market needs, as well as the increasing demand for English-language skills in various professions.
Karen Elia, Program Director at the Ren© Moawad Foundation, mentioned that the partnership reflects joint Arab cooperation in addressing development priorities, particularly those related to empowering women and girls and increasing their economic participation.
The ceremony featured remarks from graduates and mentors, who highlighted the program's role in opening new opportunities for participants and equipping them with skills that support employment and entrepreneurship. The Jordanian National Forum for Women aims to build a sustainable network promoting knowledge exchange among women from different generations and professional backgrounds, raising awareness of women's roles in public life, and showcasing successful female role models.
The forum seeks to cultivate a new generation of young female leaders capable of driving positive change in their communities and ensuring the long-term sustainability of development outcomes.