Amman, July 16 (Petra)-- Lower House Speaker Mazen Al-Qadi on Thursday patronized the National Conference, "Women as Partners in Political Modernization: Towards More Inclusive and Equitable Local Governance," held as part of the project "Towards Inclusive Local Governance: Amending the 2026 Draft Local Administration Law to Strengthen Women's Participation." The conference was organized by the Rural Ambassadors Foundation for Development and Improvement in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's Amman Office, with the participation of members of parliament, civil society organizations, women's leaders, and local governance representatives.
In his remarks, Al-Qadi said Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, has steadily advanced a comprehensive national agenda for political, economic, and administrative modernization, emphasizing that women's empowerment has been an integral part of this vision.
He noted that recent amendments to the Election Law and the Political Parties Law have translated this vision into practical measures, creating broader opportunities for women's participation in political life and strengthening their representation in the House of Representatives.
Al-Qadi stressed that local administration is one of the most important platforms for public participation, as it is closest to citizens' needs and best positioned to identify development priorities across governorates, districts, and municipalities.
He also underscored the House of Representatives' appreciation for national initiatives that enrich legislative dialogue by offering practical expertise and informed recommendations, adding that sound legislation is achieved through broad consultation and constructive engagement between lawmakers, civil society organizations, experts, and stakeholders.
The conference forms part of Jordan's broader efforts to develop the local governance system and enhance women's participation in public life, leadership, and decision-making, in line with the country's political modernization agenda. It also seeks to promote the principles of justice, equality, and equal opportunities while improving the responsiveness of local councils to the needs of citizens across the Kingdom.
For his part, Sohaib Rababa, Gender, Learning and Development Advisor at the Rural Ambassadors Foundation and supervisor of the Rural Women's Forum – Equal Movement in Rural Areas since 2020, described the conference as a new milestone in a long-standing effort to advance women's rights and ensure that women's issues are effectively addressed.
Meanwhile, Fatima Al-Qudah, representing the Rural Women's Forum – Equal Movement in Rural Areas, said the forum has evolved beyond a program or a series of activities to become a space for solidarity, learning, and collective action, enabling women to transform their individual experiences into broader public advocacy and policy demands.
//Petra// MF
