Jordan Times
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Women’s entrepreneurship
programme concludes
AMMAN (JT) — The first group of participants in the Women’s Access to
Entrepreneurship Development and Training (WAEDAT) Programme graduated late last
week. Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali said at
the closing ceremony that the true empowerment of women “does not only stem from
amending laws and legislation, but it also requires a change in societal
mindsets and cultural perceptions.” Al-Ali highlighted the need for more
rehabilitation and capacity strengthening programmes as well as awareness
campaigns on gender roles in households and women’s key role in the overall
development process. Established in 2004, WAEDAT is to complete its mission this
year. The organisation is funded by USAID and monitored by the agency’s
Achievement of Market-Friendly Initiatives and Results Programme. To date,
WAEDAT has provided services to 1,550 businesswomen in Amman, Irbid, Zarqa and
Madaba, and intends to broaden its base of beneficiaries to include other parts
of the country.