Amman, July 26 (Petra) -- Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Sunday opened a specialized workshop on the "Karama-Dignity" pillar of Jordan's National Social Protection Strategy (2025-2033).
The event brought together representatives of ministries and partner institutions to review progress and set priorities for the next phase.
Bani Mustafa, who also chairs the National Aid Fund's board of directors and the strategy's Higher Steering Committee, said the "Karama" pillar is a "key" component of the national strategy and reflects Jordan's commitment to translating the King's vision and the country's modernization agenda into programs, policies and measures that ensure a "dignified" life for citizens.
According to a ministry statement, she said King Abdullah II has placed social protection at the center of national priorities, viewing investment in people, social justice and equal opportunities as the foundation for "sustainable" development and social stability.
She added that economic growth should be supported by an "efficient and equitable" social protection system to protect vulnerable groups, strengthen resilience and expand opportunities for empowerment, productivity and participation.
Bani Mustafa said the strategy provides an "integrated" national roadmap for building a more inclusive, efficient and sustainable social protection system that links assistance with empowerment and strengthens investment in human capital in line with Jordan's political, economic and administrative modernization priorities.
She said the "Karama" pillar aims to improve "efficiency and fairness" of delivering social assistance to eligible beneficiaries, enhance responsiveness of protection programs to families' needs, strengthen integration with education, health and social care services, and connect assistance with economic empowerment pathways.
She added that social protection is a "direct" investment in people and human capital, noting that integrating cash assistance with essential services and empowerment opportunities is key to helping families move beyond immediate need toward long-term stability and resilience.
Bani Mustafa said Jordan has made "tangible progress" in recent years by expanding social assistance coverage, improving targeting mechanisms, advancing digital transformation and increasing spending efficiency, contributing to greater transparency and ensuring support reaches eligible beneficiaries "more effectively." Valuing all partners in the social protection sector, she referred to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in this context, saying the workshop would help assess progress, identify priorities for the next phase, strengthen coordination among stakeholders and accelerate implementation of the "Karama" pillar.
In turn, National Aid Fund Director General Khetam Shanikat said the first year of implementing the National Social Protection Strategy marked an "key" transition from planning to execution, with national institutions working together to translate the "Karama" pillar into tangible programs and initiatives benefiting Jordanian families.
She said the fund, as chair of the pillar's technical committee, has led implementation in partnership with ministries, national institutions and supporting organizations, emphasizing that progress depends on coordinated efforts and shared resources.
Built around 3 interconnected goals, Shanikat said the "Karama" pillar aims to develop "better targeted and more coordinated" social assistance programs; strengthen human capital by shifting from providing assistance to creating opportunities; and enhance shock-responsive social assistance systems by improving the preparedness of social protection institutions to respond to crises.
Deputy UNICEF Representative in Jordan Shairose Mawji said Jordan has made "significant" progress in strengthening social assistance systems, expanding digital solutions, improving coordination, reinforcing referral pathways and advancing institutional reforms.
She said modernizing social assistance systems, strengthening and digitizing service delivery, adopting a "cash-plus" approach and complementary services, and enhancing shock-responsive social protection are key areas where coordinated technical cooperation can deliver meaningful results.
Mawji also commended the Ministry of Social Development and the National Aid Fund for leading efforts to coordinate and strengthen joint action across the social protection sector.
//Petra// NQ
