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Ammon News - U.S. Ambassador Henry T. Wooster met on Monday with local authorities and organizations in Irbid to discuss their efforts to empower women and girls in Jordan and provide access for them to crucial support services. He conveyed U.S. support for government and community initiatives to promote women’s economic, political, and civic engagement in Jordan, and noted the importance of hearing from women and communities in Irbid and across the entire country.

“Women in Jordan are a vital part of its public life and its economy, so we are happy to work with the government and local communities to recognize local women leaders and raise awareness of the issues women, including refugee women, face,” Ambassador Wooster noted. He emphasized, “greater inclusion of women in the workforce and political process is a win for both women and the Jordanian economy.” Irbid Mayor Nabil Kofahi said: "We discussed ways to help young men and women, especially in Irbid governorate, which has a large number of graduates and manpower, and how to help empower young men and women by encouraging investment projects and providing appropriate job opportunities as part of the municipality's developmental responsibility for all communities."

Ambassador Wooster met with Mayor Kofahi to congratulate him on his recent election, and to hear about Irbid challenges and initiatives. He visited the SOS Children’s Village (SOS) to see first-hand SOS services and praised their support for vulnerable women and children in Irbid and throughout Jordan. Ambassador Wooster also toured the International Rescue Committee (IRC) center, which hosts a Women and Girls Safe Space (WGSS) supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM). He heard from IRC staff and clients about the challenges facing women and girls in Jordan, and how IRC programs protect, support, and economically empower refugee and vulnerable Jordanian women.

Ambassador Wooster’s current visit to Irbid follows prior meetings and discussions in Irbid, Zarqa, and Aqaba to hear a broad range of perspectives from across all of Jordan on key issues of the U.S.-Jordan partnership, including U.S. support for water and economic development, community-based initiatives, and women and youth empowerment.