Creating women-friendly workplaces is vital for sustainable economic growth
At the European Union (EU) launch event of ActionAid Arab Region’s (AAAR) "Promoting and Protecting Women's Rights in the Workplace" project – implemented in collaboration with our local partner Al-Hayat Center - RASED – Senator Khalil Al-Haj Tawfiq, President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, underscored the critical role of women in economic development.
"Supporting women's participation and contribution across various economic fields and recognising their achievements isn't a luxury or tradition but an essential necessity for sustainable development," he said.
This belief lies at the heart of the Women Friendly Label (WFL) project, which we launched in 2022. Aligned with Jordan's vision for economic modernisation, the WFL project seeks to dismantle barriers preventing women from accessing the labour market, with a particular focus on tackling workplace violence and harassment. Through this initiative, we will be awarding a new label to private sector companies that meet specific criteria for creating a safe, inclusive workplace for women.
At the launch event, MP Hala Al-Jarrah emphasised that “everyone's role in the current phase is to enhance and support women”, pointing to Parliament's role in enacting legislation supporting women's rights and improving the work environment. She confirmed her readiness as a member of the Women's Committee to cooperate with civil society institutions and the National Commission for Women's Affairs to support any legislation enhancing women's participation and achieving equal opportunities.
For AAAR, Senator Al-Haj Tawfiq’s statement highlights a key strategic priority: women’s participation in the economy is a fundamental pillar of national progress. UN Women, the UN organisation delivering programmes, policies and standards that uphold women’s human rights, reinforces this, emphasising that supporting women in the workforce isn’t optional – it’s essential for sustainable development. As they put it, “When more women work, economies grow.”
UN Women also emphasises the importance of education, upskilling, and reskilling – especially in response to rapid technological changes – to enhance women’s participation in the formal labour market. Greater economic equality isn’t just good for women; it’s good for business. Research from UN Women shows that companies offering more employment and leadership opportunities for women outperform those that don’t, as diverse teams drive stronger organisational performance and growth.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), when women are economically empowered, the impact is far-reaching. Their individual well-being improves, their families benefit, and economies thrive. It follows, then, that by supporting women’s economic empowerment, we can make real progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In fact, the UNDP goes as far as to say: “Any developmental initiative that overlooks women's economic empowerment risks falling short of expected outcomes.”
Bringing it back to the WFL, the project provides a tangible solution to the barriers women face in accessing the labour market, equipping businesses with a framework to create safe, inclusive workplaces. It’s a crucial step towards a world where women can fully participate in the economy, free from discrimination or harm. At AAAR, we firmly believe that when women hold economic power, communities and nations – like Jordan – thrive and grow stronger.
