Jordan Times
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Queen underlines need to involve local women in IWF programmes
AMMAN (JT) — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Monday attended the official launch of the Jordanian chapter of the International Women's Forum (IWF), an organisation which facilitates networking among women and promotes women's empowerment and opportunities for women in leadership.
As honorary chairperson of the Jordanian chapter, Queen Rania stressed the need to set up a mechanism to involve women from all over the Kingdom in order to create a strong network in Jordan and abroad, through training, exchange of expertise, consultation and networking.
The Queen said the establishment of the IWF, the first in the Arab world, will help involve women leaders from Jordan in the forum's programmes. She noted the importance of benefiting from the experience of the IWF worldwide to implement non-traditional activities that would comply with the global challenges of today.
During the meeting, attended by HRH Princess Wijdan Ali, Queen Rania said it was imperative for the local IWF chapter to draw on international experience in the field through involving women from all sectors to serve the aims of the forum.
Her Majesty met IWF members during her recent visit to Ireland, and was briefed on the Irish experience and means to empower women in society and provide them the opportunity to excel in leadership.
The establishment of a Jordanian chapter of the IWF complements Queen Rania's efforts aimed at empowering women by providing them with the right opportunities to enable them to reach their full potential. As an advocate of the rights of women and president of the Arab Women's Summit, the Queen has encouraged and supported activities that empower women to allow them to become active contributors to the economic development of their communities.
IWF Jordan chapter President Raghda Kurdi briefed Queen Rania on the forum's goals and plans and ways to build on the experience of their counterpart chapters through world conferences to be held in Russia and the US. She noted that the Jordanian chapter would assist the creation of the Lebanese chapter in the near future.
IWF Jordan Deputy President Reem Abu Hassan briefed members on her participation at the IWF world forum in Canada where she presented a paper on the status of women's issues in Jordan and efforts undertaken to increase their participation in all sectors.
Also during Monday's meetings, Reem Badran, chairman of the Jordan Investment Board, briefed members on Ireland's IWF and means of cooperation in the field of training and activities, especially after Queen Rania's visit there. She stressed the need to increase women's participation in senior management positions.
The founding members of IWF Jordan include Princess Wijdan Ali, Inaam Mufti, Tamam Ghul, Hala Lattouf, Reem Abu Hassan, Lama Abassi, Salwa Bamieh, Reem Badran, Hind Abdul Jaber, Nawal Abdullah, Noura Tleil, Mayas Rashid, Nisreen Haram, Suhair Al Ali, Randa Ayyoubi, Patricia Qaraan and Raghda Kurdi.
Established in 1982, the Washington-based IWF is a global organisation of preeminent women of significant and diverse achievement. The forum facilitates networking among women of achievement and promotes opportunities for women in leadership. Through its international programming and conferences women leaders exchange ideas and goals with other influential women throughout the world.
Since its establishment, female leaders from all sectors in society have joined the IWF as members and have served as mentors, speakers and trainers to an array of promising women of high potential throughout the world. In addition to former US Secretary of State Medeleine Albright and UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy, many other prominent women representing international, social and political organisations have become IWF members.
Forums have already been established throughout North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe.