Amman, Sept. 14 (Petra) -- The Jordanian Women’s Union Institute (Tadamon) hosted a panel discussion on Monday to evaluate the potential impact of the United Nations' UN80 initiative on women's rights and gender equality, focusing on a proposal to merge UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Held under the patronage of Chief Commissioner of the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) Jamal Al-Shamayleh, the seminar brought together representatives from national institutions, civil society organizations, and regional experts.
Chairperson of Tadamon's Administrative Board Iman Al-Hussein emphasized the need to monitor international reforms affecting civil society, highlighting that advancing women's rights requires effective partnerships between national entities, international bodies, and civil society.
Tadamon's Executive Director Enam Al-Asha stated that while the UN80 initiative aims to streamline UN operational structures, reforms must enhance efficacy without compromising institutional specialization, accountability, or civil society engagement. She noted that discussions around combining UN Women and UNFPA must be evidence-based, stressing that gender equality, bodily autonomy, and anti-violence efforts cannot be treated solely as administrative or financial matters.
Al-Shamayleh affirmed that safeguarding women's rights remains a cornerstone of Jordan's modernization drive, referencing recent constitutional and legislative updates. He backed international efforts to optimize UN efficiency but cautioned against structural mergers or budget cuts that could dilute specialized mandates or reduce critical services for women and girls.
Issa Al-Masarwa, Secretary-General of the Higher Population Council (HPC), outlined the opportunities and risks associated with consolidating UN entities and its broader impact on multilateral operations.
The event featured presentations by gender expert Noha Muhreiz on the scope of UN80, Randa Sneyora, Director General of the Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC) in Palestine, on the importance of specialized UN mechanisms, and Nisreen Zureiqat, NCHR Commissioner for Promotion, on institutional reform from a human rights perspective.
Additional contributions were delivered by Noor Al-Kubaisi (Jordan), Fatima Zahra Wassous (Algeria), Ruba Matarneh from the Jordanian National Forum for Women (JNFW), and Dr. Somaya Mssine (Morocco).
Participants concluded that reform evaluations must prioritize tangible human rights outcomes over cost-cutting while safeguarding regional civil society input within global policy discussions.
//Petra// AF
