USAID streamlines efforts for greater women participation in the national economy

The roundtables aimed to identify gender‐based constraints and agree on strategies and
actions that create and maintain an environment which encourages women's participation in these sectors. Participating organizations including business associations, NGO's, government and private sector entities were encouraged to build on present gains as they discuss ways and means to coordinate their future efforts towards further goals.

To strengthen the coordination between different stakeholders, USAID Jordan Economic Development Program partnered with int@j in order to support working women in the ICT Sector.

"We believe that the ICT sector is one of the most flexible sectors for working women, as many can actually work off site or from home. We feel women have great managerial and leadership potentials that we wish to leverage upon, to empower them to assume executive and managerial positions. This will be a value added effort to the role of women in the society and will present role models for young females who would be inspired by such examples"

Abed Shamlawi, CEO of Int@j commented.

On his part, USAID Jordan Economic Development Program (SABEQ) Chief of Party, Laith Al Qassem stated: "The program is committed to improving extent of integration of women into Jordan's economy through increased economic opportunities." He added "Addressing gender based constraints to employment can lead to increased productivity, competitiveness, and overall economic growth."

The USAID Jordan Economic Development Program (SABEQ) is a five year broad economic development initiative implemented by Bearing Point, Inc. and a sizeable team of international and Jordanian partner firms. By both supporting improvements in the business environment and providing assistance to expand innovation and productivity in Jordanian businesses, it supports the main objective of building up the private sector as a powerful engine of economic growth.