As the world marks International Women’s Day under the theme “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” Jordan stands at an important moment in its reform journey. The Kingdom has entered the second phase of its ambitious ten-year modernisation agenda — spanning political, economic and public sector reforms — while the global community is just five years away from the 2030 deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

At this pivotal moment, advancing women’s rights and expanding women’s participation in public and economic life is not simply a matter of fairness. It is central to Jordan’s future growth and prosperity.

 

In recent years, as instability and conflict affect many communities across the region and beyond — often placing the heaviest burdens on women and girls — Jordan’s continued commitment to reform and opportunity stands out as an example of how countries can continue advancing equality even amid global uncertainty.

 

Jordan has taken important steps to strengthen the legal and policy foundations for women’s empowerment. A landmark moment came with the amendment to Article 6 of the Constitution, which now explicitly commits the state to empowering women, ensuring equal opportunities, and protecting them from discrimination and violence. This constitutional change sends a powerful message: the equality of women and men is firmly embedded in the country’s reform agenda.

 

Political reforms have followed. The new Election Law increased the quota for women in the House of Representatives from 15 to 18 seats and introduced stronger incentives for political parties to promote women candidates. The Political Parties Law requires parties to include at least 20 per cent women and youth in their membership structures.

 

These changes are already making a difference. Following the most recent parliamentary elections, women now hold 27 seats in the House of Representatives — nearly 20 per cent of Parliament — the highest level of representation in Jordan’s history.

 

Efforts to remove barriers to women’s economic participation are also gaining ground. Amendments to the Labour Law now prohibit gender-based discrimination in employment and strengthen protections against sexual harassment in the workplace. Additional measures have expanded maternity protection and safeguards for pregnant workers, while the Flexible Work System is helping more women to enter and remain in the labour market.

 

Jordan’s progress is also gaining international recognition. According to the World Bank’s *Women, Business and the Law* assessments, Jordan is among the countries that have enacted the most significant legal reforms in recent years to support women’s economic empowerment and is among the economies that have improved the most in the index.

 

Change is visible on the ground as well. New policies enabling home-based businesses have allowed thousands of small enterprises — many led by women — to formalise and grow. Financial inclusion is expanding rapidly: nearly 930,000 women in Jordan now hold e-wallets or basic bank accounts, a significant increase compared with just a few years ago.

 

Yet important opportunities remain. Despite high levels of education among women, female labour force participation remains around 15 per cent. This points to the immense pool of untapped talent that could help drive Jordan’s economy forward.

 

This is where women’s empowerment becomes inseparable from the Kingdom’s modernisation vision.

 

Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) aims to unlock growth, strengthen institutions and expand opportunities for all citizens. These ambitions cannot be fully realised without the energy, skills and leadership of half the population. Increasing women’s participation in the workforce, supporting women entrepreneurs and ensuring women’s leadership in public institutions, as envisioned in the EMV, are not peripheral reforms — they are powerful drivers of productivity, competitiveness and social cohesion.

 

Jordan has already shown that meaningful progress is possible through thoughtful reforms, strong institutions and sustained partnerships between government, civil society, the private sector and international partners.

 

With five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the focus now turns to building on this momentum — translating legal reforms into greater participation, leadership and opportunity for women and girls across the country.

 

On this International Women’s Day, Jordan can take pride in the progress achieved while continuing to press forward on its modernisation journey.

 

By continuing to expand opportunities and remove barriers, the Kingdom can ensure that every woman and girl has the chance to contribute fully to the nation’s future.

 

When women and girls thrive, Jordan thrives, strengthening the country’s path towards a more inclusive, dynamic and resilient future.

 

Sheri Ritsema-Anderson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan, and Nicolas Burniat, UN Women Representative to Jordan