Report on Women’s Leadership in Jordan and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Framing Progress Through the 2030 Agenda

This report analyzes the state of women’s leadership in Jordan, evaluating progress and persistent challenges through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The advancement of women in political, economic, and social spheres is a critical indicator of Jordan’s commitment to achieving gender equality (SDG 5), promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and building peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16). The journey towards gender equality is fundamental to the nation’s overall democratic and sustainable development.

Political Participation: Progress Towards SDG 5 and SDG 16

Advances in Political Representation

Jordan has demonstrated notable progress in enhancing women’s political participation, directly contributing to key SDG targets.

• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Legal reforms and quota systems have advanced Target 5.5, which calls for women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership. The increase in female parliamentary representation to nearly 20% in the 2024 elections marks a significant milestone.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): This increased representation strengthens Target 16.7, which aims to ensure responsive, inclusive, and representative decision-making. The presence of women in parliament helps diversify political discourse, bringing critical issues such as social justice, education, and equality to the forefront of the national agenda.

Economic Empowerment: Challenges in Achieving SDG 5 and SDG 8

Barriers to Economic Inclusion

Despite high educational attainment among women, Jordan faces significant challenges in achieving economic gender equality, impacting progress on SDG 5 and SDG 8.

1. Low Labor Force Participation: At approximately 14%, Jordanian women’s participation in the labor market is among the lowest globally, hindering progress towards SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Target 8.5 (full and productive employment for all).
2. Structural and Legal Barriers: Obstacles such as unequal pay, restrictive social norms, and legal impediments limit women’s access to economic opportunities, directly contravening the principles of SDG 5, particularly Target 5.a (equal rights to economic resources).

The Economic Case for Gender Equality

Addressing these gaps is an economic imperative. The World Bank estimates that achieving gender parity in the workforce could significantly boost Jordan’s GDP. Recent reforms aimed at easing business registration for women and removing gender-based restrictions are positive steps towards unlocking this potential and advancing both SDG 5 and SDG 8.

Civil Society: Driving Social Change in Line with the SDGs

Women as Catalysts for Reform

Jordanian women are pivotal actors in civil society, leading initiatives that directly support the 2030 Agenda.

• Advocacy and Mobilization: Women-led organizations are at the forefront of advocating for human rights and mobilizing for legal reforms on issues like domestic violence and equal protection, which are central to achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
• Building Inclusive Societies: By championing social change and providing essential community support, these organizations strengthen Jordan’s democratic fabric and promote the inclusive societal transformation required to meet the goals of the SDGs.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for Sustainable Development

Jordan is at a critical juncture. While progress in women’s political representation is evident, significant challenges remain in economic empowerment and dismantling systemic barriers. Fully embracing women’s leadership is not merely an objective in itself but a prerequisite for achieving a free, inclusive, and prosperous society. A sustained commitment to implementing reforms that align with the values of the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 5, SDG 8, and SDG 16—is essential for Jordan to realize its full potential and ensure that inclusivity becomes a lived reality for all its citizens.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on women’s leadership in Jordan addresses several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary goals identified are:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality – This is the central theme of the article, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls in Jordan. It covers political participation, economic empowerment, and social change driven by women.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article directly discusses women’s economic empowerment, their low participation in the labor market, and the economic impact of closing the gender gap, which are core components of SDG 8.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The focus on women’s political representation, their role in decision-making, legal reforms, and civil society activism connects directly to the goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
     • Evidence: The article highlights the increase in female representation in parliament to “nearly 20% in the 2024 elections” and discusses the importance of women in “decision-making roles.”
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
     • Evidence: The text mentions women mobilizing for “legal reforms on issues such as domestic violence and equal protection under the law” and the need to live “without discrimination.”
   • Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality.
     • Evidence: The article refers to “Legal reforms and quota systems” that have helped women gain seats in parliament and “reforms easing business registration and addressing gender-based restrictions.”

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.
     • Evidence: The article points out that women’s participation in the labor market is extremely low at “around 14%” and identifies “unequal pay” as a structural challenge.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
     • Evidence: The increase in women’s parliamentary representation to 20% is a direct measure of inclusive and representative decision-making. The article states their presence “has started to reshape political discourse.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

1. Indicators for SDG 5

   • Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments.
     • Evidence: The article explicitly states that “female representation reaching nearly 20% in the 2024 elections” is a key milestone.
   • Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
     • Evidence: The article implies this indicator by mentioning women’s advocacy for “legal reforms on issues such as domestic violence and equal protection under the law” and recent “reforms easing business registration and addressing gender-based restrictions.”

2. Indicators for SDG 8

   • Labor Force Participation Rate (related to Indicator 8.5.1): A key measure for Target 8.5 is the labor force participation rate by sex.
     • Evidence: The article provides a direct statistic for this, stating that women’s participation in the labor market is “around 14%.”
   • Gender Pay Gap (related to Indicator 8.5.1): The target aims for equal pay for work of equal value.
     • Evidence: The article implies this indicator by listing “unequal pay” as one of the “structural challenges” limiting women’s economic opportunities.

3. Indicators for SDG 16

   • Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions.
     • Evidence: The figure of 20% female representation in parliament serves as a direct indicator for this target, measuring the inclusivity of national legislative bodies.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: freiheit.org