Economic Policies for Social Justice

The results of the labor force surveys for the fourth quarter of 2023 showed that the economic participation rate for Jordanian females aged 15 years and over is 15.1%, which is one of the lowest in the world.

The data also showed that most female workers are paid employees at a rate of 95.9%, while the percentage of self-employed women and business owners did not exceed 4%, noting that the percentage of women and men in Jordan is almost equal (47.1% compared to 52.9% of the male population), and females exceed Female university graduates are much higher than males (60.9% compared to 39.1% for males).

Taking into account all social, legislative, political and structural levels, only one reason has been identified for the modest economic participation of Jordanian women in general and the labor market in particular, but it can be summarized:

• Social norms related to gender hinder women's economic participation, which hinders the enforcement of laws ensuring equal participation in the labor market between the sexes.

• Lack of structural support – such as safe transportation, child care services and private sector investment.

• High unemployment rates in Jordan among both sexes in general and are more severe among women.

In this context, Community Media Network in partnership with the Fredrich-Ebert-Stiftung produced a 10-episode weekly radio program titled “Social Justice” to be broadcast on Radio al Balad’s lead afternoon drive home program.

This program is presented by journalists Mohammad Ersan or Etaf Roudan. The main topics and issues that were addressed in a meaningful and constructive way using facts, interviews and giving a chance to the public to digest this information are feminist economics, gender budgeting, care work, ...etc.

To listen to all episodes, please visit this link.