Promoting and Protecting Women's Rights in the Workplace project concluded with a closing ceremony on 28 June 2026 in Amman, under the patronage of Jordan's Minister of Social Development and Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment, H.E. Wafa Bani Mustafa. Co-funded by the European Union and implemented by Al-Hayat Center – RASED and ActionAid Arab Region, the initiative aimed to promote safer, fairer, and more inclusive workplaces for women across Jordan, bringing together government, private sector, civil society, and development partners.
In her remarks, Minister Bani Mustafa stressed that women's empowerment goes beyond increasing employment opportunities to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive workplaces that guarantee equal opportunities, professional development, and dignity. She noted that these efforts align with Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision and national priorities to increase women's economic participation. She also highlighted the recently launched Institutional Seal for Supporting and Empowering Women in the Public and Private Sectors, developed in cooperation with the King Abdullah II Center for Excellence, describing it as an important national step toward institutionalizing gender equality.
European Union Ambassador to Jordan, H.E. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, affirmed that the European Union is proud to support the Women-Friendly Label project, given its importance in promoting women's rights and their economic empowerment within safe, fair, and inclusive work environments. He added that women's participation in the labour market is not only a matter of equality, but also a fundamental pillar of development, growth, and social and economic stability. He noted that the project presented a practical model for translating the principles of equality and equal opportunity into applicable standards within companies and institutions.
ActionAid Arab Region Programmes Manager, Ms. Sanaa Al Hiyari, said that, through the co-funding of the European Union and in partnership with Al-Hayat Center – RASED, the Women-Friendly Label project has demonstrated the power of partnership in advancing gender equality and decent work in Jordan. She explained that the project listened to women's experiences, worked alongside employers and civil society organizations, and supported the development of workplace policies and practices that foster safer, more equitable, and inclusive working environments.
Dr. Amer Bani Amer, Director General of Al-Hayat Center – RASED, affirmed that the Women-Friendly Label project represents a practical step toward transforming commitments to women's rights into measurable institutional standards. He noted that the project created space for dialogue between women, employers, civil society organisations, and public institutions while supporting companies in strengthening workplace policies that contribute to greater inclusion, fairness, and women's economic participation.
The ceremony featured reflections from participating companies and civil society organizations on the importance of sustaining women-friendly workplace practices, as well as the recognition of companies that successfully met the Women-Friendly Label standards. The project partners stressed that the initiative lays the foundation for expanding the Women-Friendly Label, encouraging more institutions to adopt gender-responsive workplace policies, and continuing to advance women's economic empowerment in Jordan through strong partnerships and continued support from the European Union.
The project primarily impacts Jordanian women workers by promoting safer and more inclusive workplaces, potentially increasing their labour force participation. Jordanian employers benefit from clearer standards and recognition, but may face compliance costs to meet label criteria. The EU and Jordanian government gain a practical tool to advance gender equality goals, while civil society organizations strengthen their role in monitoring and advocacy.