Graduation of the second group of the Jordanian Institute for Women’s Leadership(JIWL)

Khader: In front of the women a lot of challenges imposed by the patriarchal society mentality

Dr. Assaf: 67% of the participants in the training sessions of the center are women.

Outi: take advantage of the education sessions and rehabilitation to change the behavior of society towards progress and social development.

Susan Afifi: We now do not accept half-solutions, a necessary beginning to change the old  beliefs of the  society .

Majd Club: The program has given us great confidence in the defense of our rights and our role in society.

Under the patronage of the Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s Affairs HE Mrs. Asma Khader, in the presence of Ms. Outi Bhim the represented of the  Finn Church Aid (FCA) the supporter   of the program,  Amman Center for Human Rights Studies set up on Wednesday evening the eighteenth of July at the Hotel Al-Quds International graduation ceremony for the second group of the Jordan  Institute for  women leadership(JIWL). The numbers of participants were eleven from different governorates of Jordan, and scientific disciplines and the Academy of different posts have received over the full year of lectures and exercises on the international conventions on human rights in general and women’s rights in particular and a lot of leadership knowledge and skills.  The trainers and lecturers are  Jordanians and Arabs experts.

Opened the ceremony Dr. Nizam Assaf, director of the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies, explaining that the idea of ​​the program of women leadership born from the need to empower women intellectually and practically  in order to play an effective role in the development of the state and society towards building a state and a society in which the happiness of every  men and women a  condition  for  the happiness of the hall society . Assaf iindicate that 67% of the participants in the ACHRS training sessions  were women, and  the third group of this training program has started since June 2012 and will continue until May the next year, noting that the first group of graduates of the program has reached twelve participants from different governorates of the Kingdom . Assaf thanked the Finn Church Aid for their financial support to this programme since three years.

The cast researcher Susan Afifi word graduates this year, praised this unique opportunity that allowed them to receive the knowledge, experience and know the meaning of the value of true citizenship, she mentioned that  we now do not accept half-solutions, which marked the beginning is necessary to change many of the old beliefs of society,  that do not look at women only as a bowl of discharge, The day after receiving lessons in the real awareness of women’s rights, we have achieved our confidence in ourselves As to single full rights and duties to us what to the other and what we have it. In conclusion, she thanked on behalf of herself and her colleagues Amman Center for Human Rights Studies  and Finn Church Aid for the cultural project on the rehabilitation of women leaders.

The researcher also spoke on behalf of the Alumni Club, the glory of the first batch were made congratulating the new graduates noting the importance of this qualifying program dedicated to raise awareness of women’s rights, and rehabilitation in order to be leaders in the community and the initiative and active in the process of building a society of equality and justice, It also praised the role the theoretical level, which provides for the posts through the program, which granted great confidence in the defense of their rights and take their role and status of the real in the community.

It is worth mentioning that the first group (12 women) of graduates. One of them won the membership of the Jordanian House of Representatives on the current list of women’s quota.

On behalf of Finn Church Aid Ms Outi Behm said that as  donor-partner organization, FCA supporting this project for a third year by now.I would like to, first of all, warmly congratulate you all for successfully taking part in this project.

She says that :I am confident that you have improved your knowledge of your country and its decision-making systems, and broadened your understanding of how civil society and decision-making structures work in and outside of Jordan as well.

She talked : I encourage you to bring this knowledge back to your communities, families, children – to truly share your understanding of democratic institutions, decision-making and advocating for your needs. Moreover, I do hope to see you taking further steps to become future decision-makers in your country and improving and developing your country towards a better place to grow, make a living and to be a woman. Men have traditionally occupied many leading roles in various societies. Perhaps, if women could have a say and participate in a more active way, there would be more creative solutions to the old problems.

Being an active citizen and using non-violent means to influence decision-making can be sometimes frustrating. Do not give up. Mahatma Gandhi that was an advocate of non-violent social protest once said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” What I hope the most, for you honored Jordanian ladies, my sister activists: Be the change you wish to see in the world.