Ammon News - The West Asia-North Africa Institute (WANA) on Saturday launched for a third year the joint programme “Towards Inclusive Participation of Vulnerable Women and People with Disabilities in Social and Economic Life” in partnership with IM the Swedish Development Partner.

The programme aims to empower youth with the knowledge and tools required to uphold their rights and take charge of their future wellbeing, according to a WANA statement.

Through this five-year programme, the WANA Institute strengthens the capacity of young persons to conduct legitimate and value-adding research through training on research methodology and mentoring.

Research products take several forms, including primary and secondary research (using qualitative and quantitative methodologies), policy recommendations, and policy writing instruments, said the statement.

The programme is based on inclusivity, balance and diversity, to facilitate unprejudiced dialogue and adequate opportunity for participation, with special attention to those often marginalised; women and people with disabilities.

Programme Coordinator at WANA, Hayat Al Shobaki said: “During the first year of the programme 2019, I attended as a trainee, in the second year 2020, I was chosen to assist the trainer and facilitate sessions, I am proud to say that in year 2021 I was hired by WANA as Coordinator to continue building the skills of young people to advocate about 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 equips young people (ages 22 through 30) in different governorates 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.

This year, the programme headed to Irbid and Mafraq where the target group will be provided with critical thinking, writing, communication, research, creativity, problem solving, teamwork, presentation, and leadership skills, read the statement.

Director of programme at WANA said that “at the end of this year, these talented youth will write three or four policy papers that provide recommendations to policy makers on the rights of vulnerable women and people with disabilities”.

“They will be able to present and publish their papers, achieving one of WANA Institute’s main goals: Communicating youth voices to decision-makers, and enhancing their capabilities in developing evidence-based policy papers using scientific research methodology,” the director added.

Rima Hassan, a graduate of 2020 training programme, who is visually impaired said: “I was very far from policy issues before attending this programme and I used to think that change is in the hands of certain people who occupy high positions. After the training, my perception changed; change is in the hands of anyone from the youngest citizen to the eldest. I also learned that changing policy is simpler than I thought, you just need to work hard and have patience”.