Jordan Times
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Princess Basma calls on Jordanian women to increase participation in local governance
AMMAN (Petra) — HRH Princess Basma on Saturday said women's participation in local governance was an embodiment of true democracy based on decentralised governance, which safeguards basic human rights, particularly the right to participate in making decisions that affect women's life.
At the inauguration ceremony of a seminar titled
“International Network for Women and Local Governance, Win-METROPOLIS,” the
Princess called on Jordanian women to assume a more effective role, pointing out
the significance of women's membership in local and municipal councils.
During the seminar, organised by the regional office of the International
Network for Women and Local Governance and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM),
Amman Mayor Nidal Hadid commended Princess Basma's efforts to promote women's
participation in all fields.
GAM council member Hiyam Kalimat said the mission of the network, launched by
the United Nations Development Programme, focuses on improving the participation
of women in local governance and decision making. It also seeks to establish an
international network for cooperation among women working in municipalities.
Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation Secretary General Maher
Madadha, who was present at the ceremony, reviewed the Jordanian woman's role in
achieving the millennium development goals, noting that the government's
2004-2006 socio-economic plan is based on setting priorities and forming
strategies at the level of the national economy's various sectors.
Some 99 members of local municipal councils and several officials attended the
event.