Press conference to launch policy papers on the inclusive participation of vulnerable women and people with disabilities in social and economic life

Today, the West Asia and North Africa Institute (WANA) held a press conference to launch three policy papers within the project "Towards Inclusive Participation of Vulnerable Women and People with Disabilities in Social and Economic Life" in partnership with IMIVIDUELL MÄNNISKOHJÄLP (IM). This project aimed to increase the skills of young people to advocate about the issues facing young women and persons with disabilities (PwD) in Jordan and actively contribute to policy-making.

The press conference highlighted the efforts of the participants who joined the training sessions to become advocates for the issues facing young women and persons with disabilities in Jordan and actively contribute to policy-making. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR), the WANA Institute equipped 22 young people (ages 22 through 30) in the Amman governorate with the necessary skills to develop analytical reports and practical solutions for pressing issues that contribute to the social and economic exclusion of young women and persons with disabilities. The target group was provided with critical thinking, writing, communication, research, creativity, problem solving, teamwork, presentation, and leadership skills so they can become active members of society.

During the conference the participants presented three policy papers that provide recommendations to policy-makers on the rights of vulnerable women and people with disabilities, addressing the following topics:  Parental leave and its impact on women's economic participation, Improving accessibility of voting stations for people with visual impairment, Public transportation and its impact on women's economic participation in Amman.

Moreover, the press conference allowed the graduates of the training programme to present and publish the results of their papers through the media, achieveing one of the WANA Institute’s main goals; by communicating youth voices to decision-makers, and enhancing their capabilities in developing evidence-based policy papers using scientific research methodology.