This paper aims at shedding light on the labor rights in Jordan;; particularly for those who are working in the informal sector;; through identifying the factors that impede them from enjoying such rights and;; thus;; coming up with the appropriate recommendations in this area.

This national report is designed to trace the progress of women in various fields;; monitoring achievements;; and highlighting gaps and failures;; as well as analyzing indicators;; recommending measures;; and measuring levels of achievements in the implementation of plans and strategies. The main themes were selected according to national priorities dictated by each stage: Legal Protection for Women's Right to Access Justice;; Participation;; the Economic Empowerment of Jordanian Women;; Equality;; Citizenship and Decision-Making in Public Life. The conclusions of this report confirm that a much smaller effort was exerted at the level of providing information;; data and the provision of services in the area of providing justice and facilitating ways of achieving it. The lack of knowledge about available services among women;; whether provided by civil society organizations or government institutions;; affects women's ability to access justice negatively. Regarding the economic participation the Policies and plans that targeted empowering women economically show that the result of these policies was weak and limited. Difficulty of women’s access to job opportunities in the private sector and inequitable pay between the sexes;; lack of supporting services to working women;; including childcare Facilities;; poor matching between education outputs and skills required in the labor market and the traditional social standards that contribute to directing females towards certain professions. The report proposed general recommendations and directions that include quick solutions to deal with the main highlighted challenges.

This report is designed to trace the status of girls and women in Jordan. The main themes are: civic rights;; legal rights;; women political participation;; education;; participation in the labour market;; health;; reproductive health;; child protection;; domestic violence;; HIV/AIDS and treaties.

This report was compiled from the findings and case studies presented at a workshop held on 5-6 December 2004;; in Cairo Egypt. This report contains an overview on global trends and regional analyses;; implementing legislated quotas for women;; quota adopted by political parties;; methods on enhance women’s participation;; and the role of the international community and international instruments. The international IDEA had convened a series of regional workshops to gather qualitative data. The report also has 6 case studies about women’s participation and quota include comparative experiences with quotas;; address the culture challenges to women’s representation in the Arab world;; and point the opportunities that could be seized in order to meet those challenges.

This report explores the role of Small and Medium-Enterprises (SME);; as an agent for sustainable human development in Jordan. It analyzes SMEs and their contribution to human development using fours key central pillars of human development;; namely: economic growth that is equitable and pro-poor;; social progress;; participation and empowerment through micro finance;; and environmental sustainability. The report analyses the link between SMEs and empowerment or lack thereof;; with a specific focus on the two issues of employment;; as a tool for empowerment;; and the capacity of SMEs to enhance the position of women within the workforce and home. The report findings were based on extensive research;; a survey of 1;;500 firms and focus groups discussions conducted across the governorates of Jordan. The report proposed general recommendations in terms of institutional coordination;; exports;; cluster groups;; quality standard;; government monitoring;; tax law;; local development;; youth empowerment and the increase of minimum wage.

هذا التقرير يستعرض جميع السياسات والتشريعات والممارسات والاجراءات الوطنية لبيان مدى اتفاقها مع الالتزامات المبنية في اتفاقية القضاء على جميع اشكال التمييز ضد المرأة;; بالاضافة إلى القاء الضوء على مساهمة المرأة في التنمية السياسية والاقتصادية والاجماعية. اضافة إلى ذلك;; فإن هذا الملخص يعرض الانجازات والتحديات ذات الصلة بحقوق المراة في مجال المساواة وعدم التمييز التي وردت في التقرير على صعيد: المشاركة في الحياة العامة;; محور التشريعات ;; محور الأمن البشري والحماية الاجتماعية;; ومحور التمكين الاقتصادي;; ومحور الاعلام.

يوثّق التقرير الانتهاكات القائمة بحق عاملات المنازل;; وإخفاق المسؤولين الأردنيين في محاسبة أرباب العمل ومكاتب الاستقدام التي تستقدم العاملات. كما ينتقد التقرير قوانين الهجرة وقوانين العمل المنزلي التي تيسّر وقوع الانتهاكات;; من قبيل تحديد الإقامة قسراً في البيت وفرض غرامات على تجاوز مدد الإقامة القانونية;; حتى إن لم تكن العاملة هي السبب في التجاوز.

The report aims to address the particular needs and cultural dynamics of Syrian refugees residing in Jordan;; especially with regards gender-based violence and child protection issues. It presents a comprehensive range of perspectives from urban Syrian refugees and local Jordanian decision makers in government;; community-based organizations and the religious and education sectors. The assessment of this report is based on data collected through three methodologies including questionnaire survey to refugees outside the Za’atari refugee camp;; focus group discussions in regions across Jordan and in-depth interviews. Key findings of the report are 1. The rates of early marriage are high;; 2. A significant percentage of children contribute to the household’s income and 3. Restrictions on women and girls’ mobility constrain their participation in social and economic activities and access to basic services. The report recommends measures to prevent acts of sexual exploitation and abuse and ensure the needs of the most vulnerable members of the Syrian refugee population in the cities.