AMMAN - Muna Abbas was early in her teaching career when she
asked her fourth grade girls to imagine their futures. “How would you imagine
your life in 50 years’ time?” she asked, walking around the classroom observing
students write on paper.
اضافة اعلان
Abbas
was expecting the students to focus on topics like space or
technology. But there was one response that caught her eye. “In 50 years’
time,” the student wrote. “I will go to (try to) buy a pair of shoes. It will
be so expensive that I cannot afford it and I would walk barefoot.”
The
class fell silent. The students, sensing something was wrong, looked up to
see their teacher with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Spurred
on by events like this, Abbas would go on to pursue a higher degree in
children’s rights at Lund University in Sweden where, she
said, her belief in education as the key to lifting people and communities out
of poverty was cemented. She now works as Plan International’s head of mission
in Jordan.
“We
are the product of our upbringing and our circumstances,” said Abbas. Though she came from a Palestinian refugee family, like the girls she taught
at the UNRWA school that day, Abbas’ parents taught and traveled abroad, which
shielded her from many of the obstacles facing Palestinians in refugee camps,
she said.
During
her time as an educator, she began to question the
efficacy of our educational systems, particularly in terms of assessments and
evaluations. “We need to be more reflective and creative in capturing success,”
taking into account the different needs of children, particularly girls, Abbas said.
“We
are living in a patriarchal society. And when it comes to changing of policies
and laws, I don’t see a real commitment to change.”
It is
what motivated Abbas to help Plan International establish their program in
Jordan. It is also why she said her work is
simultaneously personal and professional.
She
strongly believes in the mission of the organization, she said, because it
focuses on an often-neglected segment — adolescent girls. Early intervention
gives girls the opportunity to be proactive leaders.
As a
society, from an early age, “we start to introduce the gender roles and gender
norms where boys have certain roles and girls have certain roles. And it comes
always to the advantage of boys,” she said.
Muna
grew up with two brothers, which allowed her to grasp an
understanding of gender from a very young age. She became aware of the roles
imposed by society on girls and boys.
“If
you’re not represented, you don’t have a voice and you don’t have an influence.
You’re off the table automatically.”
It
also takes decision makers to create the right environment on the ground
through legislation. Then, the cultural change comes, Abbas said, adding that
“you will find pushback”. But when “you put the right laws in place, people will join. People will join the march.”
That
march has gotten harder lately, according to Abbas. But the change she has seen
over the past two decades is visible. She believes the Jordanian civil society
carries more influence and includes more diverse faces.
“I
can see the level of awareness, the level of courage, the level of
eagerness among young people for change. I hope that one day we will see our
men and women enjoy their full potential and rights as human beings.”
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