AMMAN —
Empowering women in the
labor market is crucial for Jordan’s socioeconomic prosperity. Over the years,
Jordanian women have strived to secure their foothold in the workforce and
contributed to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous
challenges, including
high unemployment rates, wage distinctions, and
structural barriers that hinder their full participation, potential, and fair
treatment.
اضافة اعلان
Despite these challenges, various
organizations and government agencies have made continuous efforts to address these
issues and meet women’s needs by fostering a more inclusive and supportive work
environment. Nevertheless, significant efforts are still required to overcome
these barriers and ensure that women have equal opportunities to thrive and
contribute to the nation’s prosperity.
Challenges
faced by women in the labor market
Recent data from 2024 highlights
a critical stage in Jordan's efforts to
engage women in the workforce. The
participation rate of Jordanian women in the labor market remains one of the
lowest globally, standing at 15 percent, compared to 65 percent among men.
Additionally, a quarter of women in the workforce are unemployed, surpassing
the corresponding rate for men, which stands at 16 percent. Women constitute 50
percent of those enrolled in schools and universities, making their exclusion
from the workforce deemed as an economic waste, particularly for families that
heavily invest in educating their daughters.
This trend is not new. The
Department of Statistics (DoS) in 2022, reported a notable increase in Jordan’s
unemployment rate among females to 31.5 percent in the first quarter, marking a
significant rise from 2022. Furthermore, Jordan’s 2021 status report revealed a
decline in women's economic participation, plummeting by 3.3 percentage points
compared to the peak recorded in 2017.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a
profound impact on women's economic participation in Jordan, with many
experiencing increased tension and psychological strain, leading them to
withdraw from the workforce. This trend resulted in the declining rate of women's
labor force participation, which dropped from 17.3 percent in 2017 to 14.2
percent in 2020 and further to 13.9 percent in 2022, accompanied by a rise in
unemployment rates.
For instance, Fidaa Al-Ali, a
30-year-old woman, found herself compelled to leave her job at a restaurant
during the pandemic. The restaurant owner reduced the number of employees;
assigned her additional tasks that were previously handled by her male colleagues,
extended her working hours, and decreased her salary. This created a
significant gap between her earnings and the high cost of childcare for her
children. She described the restaurant owner's actions as "A form of
slavery and blackmail, aimed at forcing her out of work." She explained
that she had previously endured long hours away from her children due to the
necessity of earning an income, but the employer's decisions left her with no
room for negotiation or flexibility.
Recognizing the urgency,
UN Women had called for special measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises
affected by the pandemic, with a particular focus on women-owned businesses.
Recently, experts believe that
the main factors contributing to the decline in women's workforce participation
in Jordan lie in the imbalance between low wages and high expenses associated
with childcare and transportation. Additionally, the lack of supported
nurseries for working mothers and suitable infrastructure further reduces
women's opportunities to join the workforce. Employers are reluctant to hire
women due to concerns about leave for illness, pregnancy, childbirth, and other
reasons.
Reem Aslan, the Decent Work for
Women Program Manager at the
International Labour Organization Arab States
Office, identified key factors contributing to low women's labor force
participation rates in Jordan. She emphasized that unpaid caregiving work, predominantly
done by women due to economic and cultural constraints, is a significant
obstacle. Aslan mentioned the importance of legislative amendments aligning
with international labor standards to increase women's participation rates and
reduce the gender gap.
The gender wage gap poses a
significant barrier to women's full participation in the labor market.
According to the Jordanian Strategy Forum (JFS), this gap persists across
various sectors. In the manufacturing industries, for instance, the wage gap
between males and females stands at JD183. Similarly, in the education sector,
women earn an average of JD321 less than their male counterparts, representing
the highest level of wage disparity between genders.
Sociologist Professor Hussein
Al-Khaza’I attributed the low women's labor force participation to a high
unemployment rate of approximately 31 percent. He noted that about 84 percent
of unemployed women hold bachelor's degrees, resulting in stricter employment
conditions and preferences. Additionally, low monthly income renders it
financially unfeasible for women to work due to associated expenses such as
transportation costs.
In addition to Khaza’I’s
findings, it's worth noting that in numerous cases, women's salaries fall below
the minimum wage, which constitutes a form of exploitation. However, some women
refrain from filing complaints due to feelings of shame, a reluctance to pursue
the matter further, and a lack of support or interest from their families,
despite their income being essential for meeting basic needs.
Suhair Al-Awad, from the SADAQA
Foundation, highlighted structural reasons for women's withdrawal from the job
market, including the high caregiving burden, lack of nursery infrastructure,
and inadequate transportation options. Around 40 percent of Jordanian women
refrain from work due to transportation issues. Furthermore, Awad stressed the
need to recognize and alleviate the caregiving burden endured by women,
advocating for protections against violence and harassment, sufficient social
protection, and inclusion in social security.
Furthermore, the
Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) reported that women encounter hurdles in
the informal economy, especially in the agriculture sector, where they face
heightened job insecurity and unfavorable working conditions. This exacerbates
their economic vulnerability, implying further suffering due to the lack of
inclusion in the social protection system, which provides various support
programs, including maternity insurance and childcare assistance.
Proposed
solutions and initiatives
In 2024, the World Bank launched
a $250 million project aimed at empowering women in the Jordanian labor market.
This initiative seeks to address the challenges hindering women's participation
in the workforce by focusing on several key factors. These include enhancing
the legal and work environment to foster empowerment, promoting financial
inclusion for women and entrepreneurship, improving safety in public
transportation, and expanding access to high-quality childcare services.
Regarding legislative and policy
measures, the Ministry of Labor has implemented significant steps to support
women's economic participation throughout the years. These measures involve
defining flexible work, ensuring wage equality principles, and introducing
paternity leave. Additionally, the ministry established the Jordanian Committee
for Pay Equity (NCPE) in 2011, which remains active, and introduced amendments
to Jordanian Labor Law No. 8 of 1996. These amendments encompass six provisions
dedicated to gender equality, with a focus on ensuring equal opportunities and
offering support for working mothers.
The ministry has also actively
pursued gender mainstreaming efforts, underscoring its commitment to fostering
gender equality in the workforce. These efforts include the establishment of a
dedicated gender mainstreaming team, the formulation of a comprehensive gender
mainstreaming policy, and the review of companies' internal regulations from a
gender perspective.
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