JMI, UN Women Sign Partnership to Promote Gender-Sensitive Media Coverage

The Jordan Media Institute (JMI) signed a partnership agreement on Monday with UN Women aimed at strengthening gender-sensitive media coverage in support of national efforts to advance gender equality in the media sector.اضافة اعلان

The agreement, supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, was signed by JMI CEO Hania Barqawi and UN Women representative Nicolas Burniat.

The signing was attended by JMI founder HRH Princess Rym Ali.

Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani commended Princess Rym’s efforts in promoting professional media and its role as a catalyst for positive societal change. He emphasized that this partnership plays a key role in scaling up the quality and volume of media coverage on humanitarian, social, and cultural issues.

Momani highlighted media’s essential role in social empowerment and justice, calling it a vital partner in translating public policy into public awareness. He stressed the media’s responsibility to reflect values of justice, respect, and dialogue while supporting comprehensive reform efforts in Jordan.

He also referenced the role of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment and the Jordanian National Commission for Women, affirming the government’s commitment to fostering equal participation of women across all sectors. In that context, the media must act as a bridge between this commitment and societal reality.

Momani also emphasized that media coverage should go beyond reporting facts to shape public perception, offering a fair portrayal of both women and men while combating harmful gender stereotypes.

Minister of Social Development and head of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment, Wafa Bani Mustafa, praised the agreement, describing it as a significant step toward women's empowerment in Jordan. She noted that balanced media discourse can drive positive change and reflect the diversity and values of Jordanian society.

She also stressed that education and media are the twin pillars of reshaping societal attitudes toward women's roles in line with Jordanian cultural values.

JMI CEO Hania Barqawi noted that promoting gender-sensitive reporting is more critical than ever, despite the vital contributions of women across various fields. The project, she said, equips media professionals with the tools to highlight women's issues and achievements, portraying them as leaders, innovators, and agents of change.

UN Women representative Nicolas Burniat affirmed the media’s pivotal role in shaping and reflecting societal realities, noting the importance of highlighting the contributions of both women and men. He called the partnership with JMI a key step toward a more inclusive and equitable media narrative aligned with the aspirations of Jordanian society.

Deputy Italian Ambassador Giorgio Bassotti emphasized the importance of supporting such partnerships, especially those focused on developing gender-sensitive reporting guidelines. He reiterated Italy's belief in the value of projects that elevate awareness of women’s roles, particularly in politics, and acknowledged the efforts of policymakers and media professionals involved.


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