WANA launches roundtable discussion to encourage youth participation in policy-making

Amman - On behalf of Minister of Social Development, Wafa'a Bani Mustafa, Secretary General Bark Dmour has attended a recent roundtable discussion hosted by the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute to increase young people's skills in advocating for the elimination of barriers and issues confronting young women and persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the Jerash and Ajloun Governorates.

The five-year program, titled "Towards Inclusive Participation of Vulnerable Women and People with Disabilities in Social and Economic Life" in partnership with the IM Swedish Development Partner, equipped 21 young people (ages 20 through 33) 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.

Throughout the year, the target group was provided with sessions on critical thinking, writing, communication, research, creativity, problem-solving, presentation and leadership skills.

During the roundtable session, the participants presented five policy papers that provided recommendations to policy-makers on the rights of vulnerable women and people with disabilities in their local communities.

The papers addressed the following topics: Drop-out of the students with disabilities from public schools; public transportation and its impact on the economic participation of women in Jerash; water supply in the domestic sector and its impact on women; accessibility of tourist places for people with motor and visual disabilities in Ajloun Castle and Mar Elias Hill; and barriers facing women working in micro projects.

The participant Khitam Qawazha, one of the participants who has a visual impairment, said: "my participation in this program developed my skills in writing policy papers and enhanced my knowledge of laws and agreements related to persons with disabilities.

Another participant Ali al-Mahasneh added: "I have become more able to identify the problems and needs facing marginalized women and people with disabilities in my local community, and I have also acquired the ability and skills that make me able to write policy papers. The training added a lot to my knowledge and experience.

WANA program manager; Hayat Al Shoubaki said that "the discussion session allowed the participants to present the recommendations to stakeholders from the public sector and civil society. This achieved one of WANA Institute’s main goals which is to raise and communicate the voices of young people to decision-makers and enhance their capabilities to develop evidence-based policy papers using scientific research".

IM program manager, Ghaith Al Shukairi added, "The brilliant style of this program has resulted in many policy papers that focus on vital issues of women and persons with disabilities. By strengthening the relationship with partners and working directly with the local communities, IM Swedish Partner seeks to develop a strong and democratic civil society by focusing on social and economic justice for humans and youth".

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