Prime Highlight
- Minister Wafa Bani Mustafa emphasized that empowering women entrepreneurs is vital for fostering innovation and building inclusive economies.
- Jordan is advancing policies to support women’s economic participation, including increasing board representation and expanding access to finance.
Key Facts
- Recent amendments to Jordan’s Companies Law mandate that women hold at least 20% of board positions, with banks required to ensure similar representation starting next year.
- The Central Bank of Jordan and government initiatives aim to improve competitiveness, financial inclusion, and access to global markets for women-owned enterprises.
Background
Women’s entrepreneurship plays a “vital driver” in advancing inclusive and sustainable development, Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa said on Tuesday. She made the remarks during the opening of the MENA-OECD Women’s Economic Empowerment Forum, attended by ministers, ambassadors, and officials from across the region.
Bani Mustafa said empowering more women to start and grow businesses can spark innovation and build stronger, more inclusive economies. She added that the Jordanian government continues to develop supportive policies focused on entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.
According to the minister, recent amendments to the Companies Law introduced a requirement for women to hold at least 20 percent of board positions. The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) has also directed banks to expand women’s access to financial services and increase the number of women in senior roles. From next year, banks must ensure a minimum of 20 percent female representation on their boards.
The government has also formed a national team within the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply to help women-owned enterprises reach economic opportunities, improve competitiveness, and access global markets. Additional policy papers approved this year support the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in government procurement.
Despite global progress, Bani Mustafa noted that many women still operate in lower-growth sectors. She stressed the need for continued efforts to close financial inclusion gaps.
EU-OECD project coordinator Reem Badran praised the EU’s long-term support for women’s empowerment programs in the region. Meanwhile, Jordanian National Commission for Women Secretary-General Maha Ali highlighted ongoing challenges, including women’s heavy reliance on microfinance.
CBJ Governor Adel Sharkas said the Economic Modernization Vision plans to double women’s participation in the economy by 2033 and called women’s inclusion essential for sustainable growth.
OECD Deputy Secretary-General Fabrizia Lapecorella described Jordan as a “regional model,” noting that fair access to finance remains crucial for unlocking women’s full economic potential.
