Project profile — Enhancing Women’s Participation in the Solid Waste Management Sector in Jordan

This project aims to improve the economic well-being of rural women, improve social stability, and reinforce local economies in Northern Jordan. Project activities include: (1) providing training programs to women on advocacy and leadership skills,on project design and implementation; (2) organizing community sensitizations to address negative gender and social norms; (3) supporting women’s group business opportunities; (4) conducting knowledge sharing to help formulate better business planning and execution; and (5) organizing workshops on gender mainstreaming in planning and service delivery.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved effectiveness of women's organizations to actively represent and support women's voices in decision-making processes; (2) increased participation by women in the local economy, particularly in the solid waste management sector; and (3) enhanced gender-informed and responsive policy-making in solid waste management at community and national levels.

Results achieved at the end of the project (December 2023) include: (1) improved the effectiveness of 10 community-based organizations (CBOs) and 2cooperatives to actively represent and support women’s voices in decision-making. Through campaigns, workshops, and training sessions involving both men and women, the community gained awareness about gender-based issues and women's rights increased. Also, 84 women from 10 CBOs, 2cooperatives and 7 women from the Ministry of Local Administration, received training, enhancing their skills for better participation in decision-making. Gender considerations became a focal point of integration into policy-making processes across 10 CBOs and 2 cooperatives in 4 municipalities, meeting the target of 12 organizations; (2) 1,080 women engaged in 10 green businesses run by CBOs, such as aquaponics farms and food repurposing, setting the foundation for improving their wellbeing and quality of life. Through their involvement in this initiative, women reported increased self-confidence and independence and increased engagement in household and community-level decision-making. Also, 80 women took part in the health awareness campaign during COVID 19. The project benefited 1000 women who joined its various intervention. These women are part of the 10 green business group projects: Ruwwad Al Aghwar Cooperative in Northern Shouneh, which manages the Sorting Facility; and Tubneh Cooperative in Deir Abi Saed, which manages the Compositing Plant and Sorting Facility; and (3) enhanced gender-informed and responsive policy-making in 10 CBOs and 2cooperatives in 4 municipalities by supporting them to develop and implement initiatives that specifically address gender issues, particularly in solid waste management and the circular economy. The project also strengthened government’s capacity to integrate gender equality considerations into the national strategy and action plans for solid waste management. It did so by training and engaging 120 officials from the municipalities, Joint Service Commission, and Ministry of Local Administration and 80 community participants.