Jordan Times
Friday, March 12, 2004
Princess Basma extols achievements of Arab women
AMMAN (Petra) — HRH Princess Basma on Thursday lauded the achievements of Arab and Jordanian women in social, humanitarian and economic fields, describing them as a valuable contribution to the process of change and their countries' socio-economic growth.
Princess Basma, honorary president of the Arab Women's Media Centre (AWMC), was speaking at a ceremony organised by the centre to mark Arab Women's Day. She said Arab women have come to realise the accelerating trend towards change around the world, particularly the growing recognition of and respect for women's rights.
There is a growing and noticeable increase in attention given to Jordanian and Arab women's rights and status, and a real awareness on the part of women themselves of their role in society, stressed the Princess.
Women's religious beliefs and culture are considered as a source of power for women and their activities, added Princess Basma.
She expressed her appreciation of the centre's efforts towards enhancing women's social status and the role of the youth sector.
AWMC Director Mahasen Imam said thanks to the United Nations, which sponsored a number of international conferences to put the spotlight on women's issues, the world has started focusing attention on the role of women in development.
Dutch Ambassador to Jordan Hugo Gajus Scheltema also addressed the meeting. He underlined the importance of women and expressed his country's readiness to back women's initiatives in developing the local community.
Minister of State and Government Spokesperson Asma Khader and several parliamentarians, who also attended the event, watched a documentary film on divorce in the local community, based on field surveys and statistics.
Following the screening, participants held discussions on the issue of divorce and its adverse effects on the community from religious and legal perspectives.
Scholars, researchers, religious leaders and media representatives took part in the discussions.