Nicolas Berniart, Representative of UN Women Jordan, stated that the Kingdom has an active and dynamic civil society, encompassing a large number of organizations, particularly those led by women across various governorates, from the Badia to the north and south. He said, “Wherever I go in Jordan, I find community organizations led by women who work diligently to support their communities,” pointing out that the main challenge lies in sustaining financial resources and ensuring the continuity of this impactful work.

Regarding gender-based violence, Berniart described this issue as one of the most urgent and troubling, noting that global figures have not seen a significant decline over the past fifteen years. He highlighted that approximately 30% of women worldwide experience violence during their lifetimes, and that a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or family member, according to recent UN studies.

In Jordan, Berniart referred to a 2018 study showing that around 29% of women aged 18 to 55 have experienced some form of violence, noting that a national study supported by the UN estimated the economic cost of gender-based violence at around 130 million Jordanian dinars annually, equivalent to roughly 0.4% of GDP.

On women’s economic participation, Berniart emphasized that Jordanian women achieve remarkable accomplishments in education, including higher education, yet these successes are not sufficiently reflected in the labor market, representing a significant loss for both the national economy and household incomes. He indicated that the lack of job opportunities and cultural barriers are among the main obstacles to women’s participation, despite increasing societal support for women working.

He also stressed the importance of opening a broader national discussion on the value of work and changing perceptions toward certain sectors and professions, affirming that women’s participation in the labor market can bring about real transformation in both the economy and society.

Berniart made these remarks during his appearance on Radio Al-Balad, expressing his pleasure that the UN Women team in Jordan received the national award, describing the win as a moving moment for him and the entire team. He said, “This award is a collective victory reflecting over 30 years of continuous work.”

He explained that the significance of this recognition lies in acknowledging the role of civil society in pushing political actors to give citizens a voice and a seat at the decision-making table, noting that the concept of national engagement and development has undergone a fundamental shift in recent years.

He added that the old approach of imposing solutions from outside is no longer effective, affirming that local communities and national institutions have deeper knowledge of their realities and must be at the heart of planning, implementation, and problem-solving.

Concluding his remarks, Berniart outlined the priorities for the coming phase, indicating that work in 2026 will focus on economic challenges, alongside continued efforts to enhance women’s empowerment, increase their participation in decision-making positions, and build on the progress already achieved in this field.