Coordination between Women Organizations of Irbid, Karak and Amman

The workshop centered on two focuses; first, the groups worked closely together to integrate the role of women into the strategic directions set by working groups from both Karak and Irbid. These strategic directions for the regions' sustainable economic growth goals were formulated, with assistance from SABEQ, during workshops presented to both regions last April.

The strategic directions for each region are unique and specific to the needs and capacity to sustain economic initiatives and growth. For Karak, the identified priorities are to create a true, competitive tourist destination, modernize the agricultural sector and build partnerships between the Governorate, private sector, vocational training centers, and Mu'ta University. Major directions for Irbid include building a 'knowledge economy' that ties the research and innovation power of Irbid's six universities to Irbid's economic development, maximize the use of renewable energy and water resources; create a model industry framework to promote the Irbid economy; and apply job training programs to the requirements of growing businesses.

The workshop held with the women's organizations developed means of how to inject the gender factor and increase the role of women as substantial contributors to the local economies, ultimately having a greater impact on the national economy. The participation of the Amman-based organizations was a means to assist the regional organizations in setting achievable and realistic short, medium and long-term goals, based on their own experiences. Women's organizations in Karak want to take on an active role in developing the traditional heritage crafts to compliment the efforts in the tourism sector, while Irbid's women's organizations want to increase the economic participation of women in their communities by organizing their efforts in the agricultural sector.

The work session also provided an opportunity for the regional women's organizations and the Amman-based groups to network and create business and support linkages with each other. The purpose of creating the linkages is to provide assistance, guidance and mentorship for future initiatives between the organizations in addition to bridging the gap that exists amongst them.

The USAID-funded SABEQ Program's Gender Integration Solution initiates targeted interventions to further enhance women's role in the private sector. These interventions are carried out with a specific mandate to increase women-owned businesses and female representation in senior positions in the private sector and particularly in the banking sector. To assure sustainability, gender interventions are conducted through strategic partnership with local organizations. SABEQ realizes the importance of advancing Jordanian women's role through increasing their economic opportunities and is committed to work toward bridging the economic gender

The USAID-funded SABEQ program is a five year broad economic development initiative implemented by BearingPoint, Inc. and a sizeable team of international and Jordanian partner firms, supporting improvements in the business environment and providing assistance to expand innovation and productivity in Jordanian businesses.