Towards Business and Technology Empowerment of Jordanian Women

On July 27, 2008, Jordan launched its Women in Technology (WIT) program, a program sponsored by the United States Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) designed to increase women’s participation in the workforce by equipping them with professional skills and knowledge.  In conjunction with Microsoft Corporation and WIT’s new strategic partner, Shabakat Al Ordon, the program plans to train about 400 Jordanian women in various parts of the country by the end of 2008.  Shabakat Al Ordon is a local not-for-profit organization that drives and implements strategies to improve the economic and social well-being of local communities. With this initiative, Jordan will have joined other countries in the region, such as the UAE, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman and others, where the WIT program has been running effectively for a number of years.

The overall objective of the MEPI WIT program is to enhance women’s participation in the workforce by building the capacity of organizations and the women they serve, through business planning, professional development, and information technology training.  Since its launch in 2005, WIT has trained over 3,000 women and built the capacity of 40 local women’s organizations in nine Middle East and North Africa countries.

“Building on our experience, vast network and tremendous momentum, we along with our dedicated local partners, will train 10,000 women by 2010”, WIT Program Director Heather Ramsey said. Click here for more information about the MEPI-sponsored WIT program.

The Jordan program launch was widely covered in the local press such as Jordan Times, and Al Rai.