Jordan Times
Saturday, March 14, 1998
Pioneering rights work increasing recognition of
International Women's Day — Princess Basma
By Alia Shukri Hamzeh
AMMAN — International Women's Day is starting to receive
greater recognition due to the pioneering work of organisations
such as the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
and the other members of the U.N. family, HRH Princess Basma said
Wednesday.
Princess Basma was speaking at a reception held by UNIFEM and
other U.N. organisations to mark International Women's Day.
"We come together today not just to celebrate our
achievements. We honour the dignity and effort of each woman,
wife, mother, sister, friend, activist, each one who has worked
tirelessly to improve the lives of women, their families and
communities," said Princess Basma, who is also UNIFEM's
goodwill ambassador.
She talked about the change in terms of women advancement, saying
that the urgency of our time often demands unreasonably quick
results, but that the pressure for rapid change must also be
tempered with an understanding of the climate and culture within
which change is championed.
"While it is useful to envision large-scale impactful
change, for instance in terms of national policy and global
strategies, it is also practical to see the merits of incremental
change at local levels," she said.
The Princess also encouraged women's advancement and change
through working on firm foundations and step-by step approaches
from the grassroots level up, as well as from the policy level
down.
She emphasised the need to encourage in-depth research and
information collection and exchange of comprehensive data and
more efficiency in all areas related to women.
"If we wish to optimise our delivery, we must become more
efficient and effective in our work practices. Only then can we
be assured of impacting positively, rather than negatively, on
the lives of women, especially those who are the
most...disadvantaged in our society," she said.
Princess Basma referred to last November's Parliamentary
elections, in which seventeen women candidates, including Toujan
Faisal, Jordan's first and only woman member of Parliament, faced
over 500 men and failed to win a single seat.
Despite the disappointing results, "we have not lost our
determination. We are moving forward on the basis of lessons
learned," she said.
Princess Basma expressed her appreciation for UNIFEM's programmes
in Jordan and abroad, saying that they will be instrumental in
preparing women for the challenges of the next century.
In his address to the meeting, Jorgen Lissner, UNDP Resident
Representative in Jordan, said Women's Day offers a precious
opportunity to celebrate the progress made so far and to reflect
on the problems encountered in the continuous effort to advance
the cause of women in society.
He added that everyone loses a part of their humanity whenever
women are imprisoned in prejudice or held back from developing
their full potential.
He also underlined the need for a more rights-based approach to
development.
"The rights of women to realise their full potential in life
cannot and should not depend on the benevolence of others. Women
should not be made to feel grateful for what is inherently theirs
to begin with. They should enjoy their rights as an entitlement
that is inseparable from their humanity."
The ceremony included remarks by Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, UNIFEM
Regional Programme Advisor and the launching of a book entitled
"Changing Words into Actions, The Arab Woman: Beijing and
Beyond," by Lamis Nasser.
The book provides an overview of the current status of Arab women
and the principle issues facing them, such as legislation,
national constitutions, education rights, work and health rights,
and nationality laws.
It also discusses the Fourth World Conference on Women held in
Beijing in 1995 and the areas of critical concern identified on
the Platform of action. It also focuses on Arab women's
participation and the lessons acquired from the conference, such
as the need for cooperation and coordination between Arab
governmental an non-governmental delegations, the importance of
serious preparations for the future, and the importance of
training in the development of conference participation skills.