Amman: Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), Maha Ali, highlighted the "vital" role of the Kingdom's nursery sector in providing childcare services, supporting women, and enhancing their economic participation.
According to Jordan News Agency, Ali addressed a group of private-sector nursery owners, emphasizing that most nurseries in the Kingdom are owned and operated by women. This makes the sector a "key" driver of women's economic empowerment. She pointed out that women's economic empowerment is a "main" pillar of the National Strategy for Women 2020-2025 and its executive plan. This strategy aims to provide a "safe, gender-responsive" legislative and institutional environment, develop women's skills, and stimulate entrepreneurship.
Ali also listened to the participants' remarks on the sector's current situation and challenges, particularly the impact of the Social Protection Law on Maternity Insurance No. (74) of 2024. This law led to the suspension of the nursery operating cost support program. In turn, nursery owners outlined several difficulties, especially for low-income nurseries, and proposed solutions to help strengthen their resilience as business owners.