The Status of Jordanian Women and Obstacles of their Access to High Political and Administrative Posts: an Exploratory Study

Abstract

This survey study aims at highlighting the actual status of Jordanian women in order to uncover the most important obstacles to their access to high political and administrative posts as well as senior decision-making positions. The study aims also to provide solutions to overcome these obstacles, hence enhancing the political and social participation of women, which is very important in achieving comprehensive and successful development.

For the purpose of this study, an analytical descriptive method, statistical tools and simple calculations were used such as percentages, frequencies, arithmetic mean and standard deviation.

To collect the data, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to a national random sample (1500=N) representative of all categories of the Jordanian society.

The main hypothesis of the study is that: Jordanians' trends in general are negative towards Jordanian women’s economic, social, political, legislative, organizational and subjective statuses.

One of the most important findings of the study is that the sample’s estimates were positive in favor of political, legislative, organizational, social and subjective status of women, while they were negative in respect to the women economic status.

Based on the findings, the study suggests a number of recommendations, including the following:

-                 The allocation of government support fund to provide financial and technical assistant to women to enable them to own small investment projects, and the provision of supported economic programs to enhance the economic status of women and grant them financial independence which is the cornerstone in the process of their political, organizational and social participation.

-                 Adopting policies and programs by the government to promote the representation of women in all branches of authority, and to allocate seats to women in senior management positions in different state institutions which enable women to participate in decision-making, hence weakening men's dominance, and enhancing women belief that they can be able to compete justly with men.