Amman, May 22 (Petra) – Minister of Social Development and Chair of the Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment, Wafa Bani Mustafa, reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to family-centered public policy during her participation in the International Family Forum held Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey.

In her address, Bani Mustafa emphasized that Jordan views family empowerment not merely as a social matter, but as a foundation for national security, societal stability, and sustainable development. She highlighted that this vision is reinforced by royal support and government initiatives.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Social Development, Bani Mustafa reviewed the newly launched National Social Protection Strategy 2025–2033, describing it as a comprehensive framework focused on dignity, empowerment, opportunity, and resilience. The strategy places the family at the core of all public policies and programs.

She outlined legislative reforms introduced by Jordan, including amendments to the Labor Law to support work-life balance, updates to the Domestic Violence Protection Law requiring mandatory reporting and introducing community service as an alternative penalty, and the enactment of a Child Rights Law designed to preserve family unity and respond to contemporary social challenges.

On the programmatic level, she pointed to initiatives such as the Takaful program supporting low-income families, as well as expanded services for the elderly, orphans, and children requiring early intervention and inclusive care. These services include institutional and home-based nurseries aimed at improving productivity and social inclusion.

Bani Mustafa also announced the Ministry’s plans to modernize the national social registry, which will serve as a unified platform for all social assistance programs. She said this would be complemented by efforts to professionalize social work through standardized training and qualifications, boosting the care economy’s efficiency.

Digitization efforts are also underway, including the creation of comprehensive beneficiary data systems, expansion of day care facilities, enhanced family medicine services, and broader health insurance coverage particularly for children.

She noted that the National Aid Fund is evolving along two strategic tracks: one focused on empowering beneficiaries, and the other on promoting micro and small enterprises within beneficiary families.

Bani Mustafa further emphasized the importance of local and international partnerships. Jordan continues to collaborate with UN bodies and stakeholders to address domestic violence, strengthen protection systems, and advance the empowerment of women and children.

She also highlighted Jordan’s participation in recent global forums, such as the Arab Exhibition in Egypt, the Berlin Global Disability Summit, and the Commission on the Status of Women.

Looking ahead, the Minister outlined a future vision aligned with the protection strategy, which includes establishing a national family observatory to guide policymaking, expanding paid paternity leave, supporting subsidized nurseries in underserved areas, and launching awareness campaigns like "Our Children Are Our Priority" to challenge gender stereotypes and promote shared family responsibilities.

The vision also supports alternative shelter models for individuals without family support, youth initiatives that encourage the formation of stable families, and the creation of specialized training and sales centers to promote family-made products both locally and regionally.

//Petra// AO

22/05/2025 13:21:13