The German Jordanian University (GJU), through the Department of Social Work at the School of Applied Humanities and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the British Council and Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), hosted a panel discussion on "Fostering Career Opportunities for Women Graduates in Jordan" with the presence of the University’s VP Prof. Malek Alsharairi, and HE Philip Hall, UK Ambassador in Jordan.
During the opening of a Panel Discussion, which was part of the "Partnerships for Gender Equality" project aimed at supporting women's participation in the workforce, Prof. Alsharairi emphasized the importance of joint collaboration in empowering Jordanian women. He pointed out that enhancing professional opportunities for female graduates in Jordan is a crucial step towards empowering women in Jordanian society, reflecting the University’s ongoing commitment to supporting women across various academic and professional fields. He clarified that GJU believes education is the foundation for achieving this change, through its partnerships with various institutions to achieve common goals in empowering women and increasing their active participation in the workforce.
On his part, UK Ambassador Philip Hall stressed the role of the partnership between Jordan and the United Kingdom in supporting women's empowerment and promoting gender equality. He commended the joint initiatives aimed at bridging the gender gap, emphasizing that empowering women is not only a human rights issue but also a key element for achieving sustainable development and prosperity in societies. He added, "The UK’s commitment to supporting these efforts comes from our deep belief that empowering women and girls opens doors to a more inclusive and progressive future."
The session addressed key challenges facing female graduates in Jordan, such as the lack of opportunities available to women in various sectors and the absence of supportive policies to enhance their participation in the labor market. The discussion also focused on the impact of stereotypes and social discrimination on women's career opportunities, as well as the importance of developing flexible policies to support working mothers and providing training programs that meet the changing needs of the labor market. This event comes at a time when Jordan faces increasing challenges in this field, as the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index shows that the unemployment rate among women stands at 34.7%, compared to 17.4% for men.
The session was attended by several prominent figures, including Dr. Reem Abu Hassan, former Minister of Social Development, Dr. Yara Shaban, Manager of the WANA Institute/Royal Scientific Society, Ms. Amina Mari, Founder and CEO of "MihnaJo", Ms. Dana Mufleh, Money Mindset and Wealth Creation chairwoman G100, Dr. Eva Haddad GJU Project Lead.
At the conclusion of the session, a dedicated simulation games day was organized, where students, faculty members, and administrative staff participated to apply critical thinking and decision-making skills.
This event reflects GJU's commitment to supporting gender equality and empowering women to contribute to sustainable development.
