Amman: The Jordan Media Institute (JMI) has entered into a significant partnership with UN Women to enhance gender-sensitive media coverage in alignment with the national agenda for promoting gender equality in the media sector.
According to Jordan News Agency, the collaboration, backed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, was formalized by JMI CEO Hania Barqawi and UN Women representative Nicolas Burniat. The event was graced by the presence of JMI founder HRH Princess Rym Ali. Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani praised Princess Rym’s contributions to professional media as a transformative societal force. He highlighted the partnership’s critical role in elevating the quality and reach of media coverage on humanitarian, social, and cultural matters.
Momani underscored media’s vital function in social empowerment and justice, describing it as a crucial ally in converting public policy into public consciousness. He emphasized the responsibility of the media to embody justice, respect, and dialogue, while supporting Jordan’s comprehensive reform initiatives. Momani also pointed out the significance of the Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment and the Jordanian National Commission for Women in the government’s dedication to ensuring women’s equal participation across all sectors. The media, he stressed, must act as a conduit between governmental commitments and societal realities.
Moreover, Momani urged media coverage to transcend mere fact-reporting and influence public perception by offering an equitable portrayal of women and men, challenging harmful gender stereotypes. Minister of Social Development and head of the Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment, Wafa Bani Mustafa, lauded the agreement as a vital advancement for women’s empowerment in Jordan. She emphasized that a balanced media discourse is crucial for fostering positive change and mirroring the diversity and values inherent in Jordanian society.
Bani Mustafa also noted the importance of education and media as key elements in reshaping societal views on women’s roles in accordance with Jordanian cultural norms. JMI CEO Hania Barqawi stressed the growing importance of promoting gender-sensitive reporting, given the significant contributions of women in various domains. The initiative, she explained, aims to provide media professionals with the tools necessary to spotlight women’s issues and achievements, portraying them as leaders and innovators.
UN Women representative Nicolas Burniat acknowledged the media’s crucial role in both shaping and reflecting societal realities, highlighting the importance of recognizing the contributions of both women and men. He declared the partnership with JMI as an essential step towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable media narrative that resonates with the aspirations of Jordanian society.
Deputy Italian Ambassador Giorgio Bassotti highlighted the significance of supporting initiatives focused on developing gender-sensitive reporting guidelines. He reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to projects that enhance awareness of women’s roles, especially in the political sphere, and acknowledged the efforts of policymakers and media professionals involved.