Stories
Using technology to assist vulnerable Syrian refugees during COVID-19 lockdown
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Amid the coronavirus pandemic and the social distancing measures, UN Women is providing urgent support, information and essential services to more than 5,700 Syrian refugees in Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps.
Five women on the front lines of COVID response
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, the lives of women and girls everywhere are changing. While some spheres of work and personal life are on pause, others face increased strains and new challenges. Millions of women worldwide are part of the essential workforce on the front lines of COVID-19.
COVID-19: Women front and centre
Friday, March 20, 2020
In a statement, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka calls on governments to recognize both the enormity of the contribution women make and the precarity of so many in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Monday, July 29, 2019
The President of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly visited the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 21-24 July. Commending Jordan’s efforts in response to the refugee crisis, she also noted the government's awareness and commitment to work towards attaining Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment. In collaboration with UN Women, she had the opportunity to meet vulnerable Syrian refugee women and girls as well as Jordanian women leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities to promote women’s empowerment.
From where I stand: “I have finally found the value that I need in my life to succeed.”
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Deep within the rural community of Karak lies the town of Taibeh, where 39-year-old Mona Ahmed Alqkla, found a safe place for her family seven years ago after fleeing the conflict in Dara'a, Syria. She had never found an opportunity to work, until now. She recently joined the incentive-based volunteer programme as a tailor in the Oasis Centre in Taibeh, which was launched by the Ministry of Social Development in partnership with UN Women in March 2019.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
At 50, Fatima Alhaj has finally found the confidence to overcome the pain of her past. A Syrian refugee living in the Azraq refugee camp in Jordan since 2016, she regained her sense of purpose after joining UN Women’s Incentive-based Volunteer programme as a literacy teacher, where teaching and writing are her catharsis.
From where I stand: “I was the one who had to pick up all the pieces.”
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Falha Abrabo arrived at the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan after fleeing Syria in 2012. Shortly thereafter, her husband had a severe stroke, which left her in the position of becoming the sole provider for her family. She found a livelihood opportunity teaching adult literacy sessions to other women through the incentive-based volunteer programme at UN Women’s Oasis Centre, which builds women’s resilience and empowerment.
Photo essay: Syrian women in Jordan share stories of war and hope
Thursday, June 20, 2019
From refugee camps to urban settlements and rural communities, Jordan has provided refuge to more than 1.3 million Syrians since 2011. 1 Eighty-six per cent of Syrian refugees live below the poverty line and half of the refugee population are women and girls . 2 In 2012, UN Women opened its first Oasis Centre in the Za’atari refugee camp as a safe space for...
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
On behalf of the Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, H.E. Dr. Omar Al-Razzaz, the Minister of Interior, H.E. Mr. Samir Moubayed, launched the implementation of Jordan’s National Action Plan on UN Security Council resolution 1325 (JONAP) on Women, Security and Peace during a national conference organized by Government of Jordan and UN Women, in partnership with the Embassies of Canada, Finland, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom (Dead Sea, 6-7 February 2019).
Women’s centres in Jordan support refugee and Jordanian women
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
The Arab Women’s Organization (AWO), a grantee of the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, runs two women’s centres to respond to the unmet needs of women and girl survivors of violence; serving both Syrian refugees and the local Jordanian community.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
UN Women and the World Food Programme (WFP) are breaking new ground by using blockchain to assist Syrian refugee women participating in UN Women’s cash for work programmes at the Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps in Jordan.
Empowerment through employment for Syrian refugee women in Jordan
Friday, August 10, 2018
1.3 million refugees are currently hosted by Jordan, a country that continues to demonstrate humanitarian leadership in the Syrian refugee crisis. In 2012, UN Women opened its first Oasis— a centre for refugee women and girls to access emergency aid and specialized gender-based violence services at Za’atari refugee camp in northern Jordan. Over time, the scope and impact of the Oasis model has expanded to encompass multi-sectoral services that build women’s resilience and empowerment. Currently, UN Women operates four Oasis centres in two Jordanian camps: Za’atari and Azraq.
From where I stand: “Always rely on yourself”
Monday, June 18, 2018
Maha Aasi Emm Ala’a, a Syrian refugee, came to the UN Women-run women’s centre in Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp with severe depression after her husband passed away. She received counseling and found tailoring work through the cash-for-work programme. As refugee crises become more protracted, humanitarian assistance must take into account immediate and long-term needs of women and girls. The women’s centres in Za’atari Refugee Camp are building women’s resilience and empowering them as leaders, workers and entrepreneurs.
Minister of Social Development visits UN Women's Resilience and empowerment centers
Thursday, May 10, 2018
The Minister of Social Development, H.E. Ms. Hala Lattouf, visited one of the three ‘Oasis Center for Resilience and Empowerment of Women and Girls’ operated by UN Women in the Za’atari refugee camp.
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Mrs. Anne-Mari Virolainen visited Azraq Refugee Camp on the 9th May, accompanied by UN Women Country Representative Ziad Sheikh. Mrs. Virolaninen joined the women and girls within UN Women Oasis center, the tour highlighted the continuous support and commitment Finland provides to UN Women.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
The occasion of the visit allowed H.E Mrs. Abe, to gain a firsthand understanding of UN Women’s work and witness the opportunities that are being provided to women through the continuous support of the Government of Japan.
The French Delegation visit UN Women 'Women and Girls' Oasis' in Azraq refugee camp
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
The French delegation visited Azraq 'Women and Girl’s Oasis,' viewing the multi-sector facilities of the Oasis and foster a discussion with the Women. ...
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
On March 21st, 2018, The launch marked the recent implementation of the Jordanian National Plan (JONAP) 2018-2021 to activate UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Security and Peace as a key framework within Jordan. The event marked the commitment of the Prime Minister H.E Dr. Hani Fawzi Al-Mulki, the Jordanian Government's and stakeholder's enhancement of women’s participation in the peace and security sectors within Jordan.
Thursday, October 19, 2017
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove visited Za’atari camp on Thursday, 19th October 2017. During the visit to one of the UN Women’s Oases and World Food Programme’s (WFP) kitchen facilities, the Governor announced his decision to donate 12.5 million in Australian humanitarian aid over the next three years in Jordan. The decision initiated Australia’s...
Finding a new normal in the Za’atari refugee camp
Monday, June 19, 2017
Of Syrian and Jordanian descent, Hadeel Al-Zoubi, 40 years old, is the UN Women Senior Camp Assistant at the Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan. She joined UN Women in 2013 because she felt compelled to help people caught in the Syrian refugee crisis.