Amman, Jan. 28 (Petra) – A delegation from the national assembly, headed by Senator Suhair Ali, participated in the second session of the Women Parliamentary Forum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, held in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates.

According to a Senate statement, Ali, while chairing the forum’s first session titled "Enhancing Women’s Empowerment in the Economic and Political Spheres," underscored the importance of women’s full and equal participation in political, economic, and social life across the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions.

She pointed to the continued underrepresentation of women in parliaments and decision-making positions worldwide, despite limited progress in some countries. Women currently account for no more than 27 percent of parliamentarians globally, and gender parity in legislative bodies is not expected to be achieved before 2063, according to UN Women.

Ali stressed the need to strengthen women’s political participation, security, and economic independence, and to combat gender-based discrimination and violence in economic and social spheres.
She noted that one in ten women worldwide still lives in extreme poverty, and that more than 340 million women and girls are projected to remain in extreme poverty by 2030, citing UN Women data.

Ali called on member states of the Assembly to demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing gender equality through regional cooperation and multilateral dialogue, stressing the need for intensified efforts in this regard.

Member of the Lower House of Parliament Hala Jarrah said women’s issues and empowerment receive royal attention and support, with directives underscoring the need to achieve qualitative advances in women’s political, economic, and social empowerment.

She added that women’s empowerment constitutes a core pillar of Jordan’s reform and development process, serving as a key driver for social justice and the optimal utilization of human resources.

Jarrah said Jordan has prioritized education, health and environmental sustainability as interconnected sectors that support women’s empowerment and enhance their participation in national development.

On the sidelines of the forum, the Jordanian delegation met with Speaker of the United Arab Emirates Federal National Council Saqr Ghobash to discuss relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen parliamentary cooperation. The delegation also held bilateral meetings with participating delegations.

//Petra// AJ

28/01/2026 15:35:21