Youth action in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Jordan

Date: Sunday, 4 July 2021

Youth representatives participate in a dialogue on Women, Peace and Security implementation in Jordan organized at the Princess Basma Youth Center in Aqaba. Photo courtesy of Advvise.

Promoting youth’s engagement, leadership and active contribution to advance gender equality and the role of women, particularly young women, in peace and security is one of the key pillars of Jordan’s National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (JONAP) on Women, Peace and Security. The Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) and UN Women – with the support of the Governments of Canada, Finland, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom - partnered with the Madrasati Initiative, Generations for Peace, and other civil society organisations to translate such commitments into action.

Wesal Abdullah, Youth representative from the JONAP 1325 Coalition said “Involving young men and women in development and peacebuilding processes is essential to ensure the sustainability and continuity of civil society organizations working in this field.”

A dedicated youth dialogue, held at the Princess Basma Youth Center in Aqaba, brought together youth representatives from across the Kingdom to reflect on their experiences in building more resilient and peaceful societies. Members of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) 2250 National Coalition were also present to address the synergies between YPS and the Women, Peace and Security agendas.

Mr. Abdallah Sa'ad, a member of the YPS 2250 National Coalition said “Joint action is essential for the successful activation of decisions that can lead to actual and sustainable results, which can ensure the participation of women and youth in peace-making.”

Since the adoption of the JONAP in 2018, local communities, and in particular youth groups, led several initiatives to raise awareness on gender equality and the role of women in peace and security, including gender-based violence and its impact on women, men, and society at large. In 2020, Madrasati mobilized 400 youth and 311 teachers in public schools in the Madaba and Balqa Governorates to promote educational activities on social norms, beliefs, peace and security, women’s empowerment. In addition, JNCW and UN Women reached more than 1,000 youth during talks held at eight local universities focusing on gender-based violence, legal frameworks, the role of youth and civil society in the implementation of the JONAP.

Mohammad Al Nsour, 16, a student from the Al Nimer school for Boys in Salt/ Balqa, and member of the Human Rights Club by Madrasati added "I was not part of the school student parliament, but after my participation in the Human Rights Club, I would like to be part of a dialogue with my fellow students on issues of equality and human rights, so that we have an clear voice and recommendations to achieve security and peace."

The dialogue focused on results and lessons learnt from the youth in the JONAP drafting and implementation processes, providing a dynamic platform to exchange views and aspirations on how youth, particularly at the community level, can better participate in the planning and decision-making process to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Recommendations from this dialogue will feed into the formulation of the JONAP II, currently being drafted.