Amman, Feb 3 (Petra) - Minister of Transport Nidal Katamine said the ministry is continuing to develop a modern and safe transport system through the use of technology, the application of monitoring and tracking systems, and the building of effective partnerships with civil society institutions and relevant bodies.

Speaking at the launch of the "Arrived Safely" project by JoWomenomics (JW), funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, with the participation of official bodies, civil society organizations, experts, and specialists in transport and community safety, Katamine said enhancing women’s safety in public transport is no longer merely a service issue, but a developmental and economic priority that contributes to increasing women’s participation in the labor market and helping them access jobs, in line with the orientations of the International Labour Organization.

He announced plans to establish a specialized unit within the Land Transport Regulatory Commission (LTRC) to receive complaints from women regarding the use of public transport.

He said the new unit will operate according to best global practices in protecting women in transport systems and will include trained staff to handle complaints and reports professionally, ensuring confidentiality, rapid response, and coordination with relevant authorities.

He noted that the unit will rely on artificial intelligence tools to analyze reports and data and monitor recurring patterns, helping to identify problems and high-risk locations early and improve the efficiency of intervention and response. He explained that the unit will serve as a national reference point for collecting and analyzing data and statistics related to cases of abuse in public transport.

Katamine said the initiative will be implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation to engage with donors and secure the necessary support with advanced technical tools, in addition to coordination with the Ministry of Social Development and the Family Protection Department, in line with relevant legislation, and in cooperation with the Amman Bus Vision project and ride-hailing application companies.

Former Minister of Transport Lina Shabib said having a modern public transport system accessible to all is not a luxury but a fundamental pillar of development and a key element in connecting citizens to employment, education, and services, and in enhancing economic and social participation.

She said the government has given clear priority to developing the public transport sector, stressing that making public transport safer is an essential part of the comprehensive modernization of the sector.

For her part, JW Founder and CEO Mayyada Abu Jaber said the project comes after a successful full year of partnership and joint work and will extend over the next three years, during which efforts will focus on raising awareness, building capacities, improving response, and developing tools, policies, and practices to ensure that safety becomes an integral part of the public transport system.

She said the next three years will witness clear steps toward a safer and more respectful public transport system, noting that the project includes training and activating the role of 11 civil society organizations, and training 2,000 women and girls, 30 percent of them refugees, on their rights and protection strategies in public transport.

The project also includes capacity-building sessions for drivers, an awareness campaign, and community-based educational programs.

UN Women Representative to Jordan Nicolas Burnait said the kingdom is witnessing real and tangible change in this field, stemming from a clear will to pursue positive and sustainable change.

"We want to support women through public transport so that they can fulfill their economic role," he said, noting that the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women was established in 1983 and is administered on behalf of the United Nations to address key women’s issues, covering 41 countries.

The launch ceremony, attended by UK Ambassador to Jordan Philip Hall, Director of the Family and Juvenile Protection Department Brigadier Ziad Nsour, Belgian Embassy representative Nathan Rasquinet, and Canadian Embassy representative Celine Shaheen, saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Amman Vision Modern Transport Company to promote a safe and fair environment in public transport and curb gender-based violence against women and girls.

The launch events included two panel discussions. The first, titled "Challenges in Public Transport," was moderated by Abla Weshah and featured Dima Arabiyat of the Jordanian National Commission for Women and driver Ziad Al-Amaireh.

The second, titled "Toward a Safe and Fair Environment in Public Transport," was moderated by MP Dina Al-Basheer and featured UN Women representative in Jordan Manal Benkirane, Lt. Col. Ayman Al Shawabkeh from the Family and Juvenile Protection Department, Obada Abu Al-Baqar from the Land Transport Regulatory Commission, and Feda Al Shouli from the "Feda Al-Watan" Association.

//Petra// AF