WOMEN'S ACTIVISTS ASK FOR JORDAN-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS

UNCLAS AMMAN 000220

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI KDEM KWMN JO
SUBJECT: WOMEN'S ACTIVISTS ASK FOR JORDAN-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS


1. (SBU) On January 10, the Embassy organized a dinner in honor of
visiting Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
(DRL) Michael Posner and Director of Policy Planning Anne-Marie
Slaughter. Invitees included a number of Jordanian women's rights
activists, who suggested key priority areas for future USG women's
assistance programs: increased funding for educational and
professional exchange programs, funding for research by Jordanian
academics to better understand factors which hamper the advancement
of women, and programs that reflect what Jordanian women consider to
be key issues.


2. (SBU) In conversation with A/S Posner and Dr. Slaughter, guests
responded to questions such as, "What would you like Secretary
Clinton to know?":

-- The President of the General Federation of Jordanian Women and
former Member of Parliament Nuha Maayta suggested that more exchange
visit programs were needed, particularly among professional women.
She believes that Jordanian women would be delighted to host
American women/visitors and that this would facilitate
understanding, tolerance, and knowledge-sharing. Maayta herself had
been on an exchange visit to the U.S and found the program to be a
rewarding and an invaluable learning experience.

-- Prominent women's rights activist Senator Leyla Sharaf urged the
USG to fund independent academic research in Jordan carried out by
Jordanian women's organizations that they, themselves, indentify as
priority areas.

-- American Literature professor at the University of Jordan Dr.
Rula Qawwas, for example, echoed this request and pointed out that
no research had ever been written on the feminist movement in
Jordan. "It is important to know where we have come from in order
to chart our future course."

-- Finally, Senator Nadia Bushnaq, director of a large community
center in Zarqa, argued that funding should follow the model of the
Global Women's Fund. She has worked with this group and appreciates
the level of freedom allowed when funds are granted. This
flexibility has enabled her to run her center without undue
interference or excessive control thus freeing her to identify and
address the most urgent needs of her clients. "Sometimes we need
assistance to fight domestic violence, but the latest grants only
ask for proposals on Trafficking in Persons or child labor, for
example. Here on the ground, we know best what is needed." She
said that the USG should adopt a funding mechanism similar to the
Global Fund's to facilitate independent and effective
implementation, thus strengthening the capacity of Jordanian women.


3. (SBU) This cable has been cleared by DRL and S/P staff.


BEECROFT