The world celebrates International Women’s Day on the eighth of March each year. This year’s theme is “Rights, Equality, and Empowerment for All Women and Girls,” calling for the adoption of the necessary measures to ensure justice for women in all fields.
In this context, the National Centre for Human Rights affirms the constitutional protection of women’s rights as stipulated in Article 6 of the Jordanian Constitution, which states that “Jordanians are equal before the law, with no discrimination between them in rights and duties, even if they differ in race, language, or religion.” The Constitution also affirms the State’s obligation to empower and support women to play an active role in building society, ensuring equal opportunities on the basis of justice and fairness, and protecting women from all forms of violence and discrimination.
At the same time, Jordan has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), published in the Official Gazette in 2007, as well as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which includes the principles of equality and non-discrimination. At the level of national legislation, the Social Development Law of 2024 was adopted, defining the objectives of the Ministry of Social Development in improving the quality of life for women victims of domestic violence and those at risk by providing the best protection and care services in a participatory and equitable manner.
At the policy level, the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2033) has been issued. The Centre has also launched its Strategic Plan for the years (2025–2029) to keep pace with national, regional, and international developments, respond to emerging human rights challenges, and address new and innovative human rights issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and business and human rights. Women’s issues constitute a central pillar of the strategy, ensuring the monitoring of women’s rights and the follow-up of related recommendations with relevant stakeholders.
The Centre also emphasizes that women still face a number of challenges that require concerted efforts to overcome. Through its official communications and annual reports, the Centre has consistently presented recommendations aimed at protecting and promoting women’s rights. These include expanding and developing safe and rapid reporting channels for all forms of violence, including digital violence, to support survivors through specialized legal and psychological counseling services; reviewing national legislation to ensure the criminalization of all forms of cyber violence; and strengthening cooperation among relevant entities to establish protection programs. The Centre also stresses the importance of continuing the implementation of the National Social Protection Strategy to promote social justice, address the gender economic gap, empower women economically, improve access to health and educational services, and integrate women into development policies.
Furthermore, the Centre highlights the need to adopt supportive media plans and policies addressing women’s issues, aimed at raising societal awareness, changing stereotypes, and strengthening women’s presence in public life as key partners in decision-making processes, while enhancing the role of media in highlighting women’s contributions. The Centre also reiterates the importance of strengthening oversight by relevant authorities over workplaces employing women in the agricultural sector to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards and the provision of first aid, protective footwear, masks, and gloves to protect them from harsh working conditions, thereby safeguarding their right to physical safety. In addition, the Centre emphasizes supporting women’s economic and social empowerment and developing their skills in line with labor market needs, particularly in remote areas.
The National Centre for Human Rights reaffirms its commitment to continuing its role in monitoring, awareness-raising, and providing recommendations, while working with all partners to ensure that women fully enjoy their rights, achieve justice, and advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, in order to build a society based on dignity, equality, and the rule of law.
In conclusion, the Centre affirms the Royal directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, may God protect him, which emphasize the strong commitment to justice and equality and support the efforts aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable social and human development for all, ensuring that our nation remains dignified and strong.
