Amman: Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa emphasized that the social protection sector is at the forefront of Jordan's comprehensive modernization strategy, a move directly influenced by directives from His Majesty King Abdullah II. This initiative underscores the sector's pivotal role in empowering individuals and communities, thereby enhancing national productivity.
According to Jordan News Agency, Bani Mustafa highlighted that the Royal directives, elaborated in His Majesty's letter to Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, prioritize social protection within the Economic Modernization Vision. As a result, the government is committed to implementing the National Social Protection Strategy 2025-2033, which officially commenced in May. Bani Mustafa made these remarks during a panel discussion hosted by the Economic and Social Council (ESC) titled "Social Protection and the Economic Modernization Vision," part of a broader dialogue series on executive plans for economic, administrative, and political modernization from 2025 to 2029.
Bani Mustafa stressed the strategic necessity of integrating economic and social policies to ensure social justice, dignity, and a decent quality of life for citizens. She argued that the social protection system in Jordan is a strategic investment in its citizens and future, rather than a fiscal burden. It serves as a cornerstone for social stability, which is essential for sustainable economic development.
The minister explained that the National Social Protection Strategy aligns with Jordan's political, economic, and administrative reform tracks and integrates seamlessly with the Economic Modernization Vision. The strategy was crafted through extensive national consultations with stakeholders across the Kingdom, including dialogue sessions in all governorates, ensuring a consensus-based approach to achieving its objectives.
Bani Mustafa outlined the ministry's ongoing efforts, in collaboration with partners, to strengthen a comprehensive, effective, and flexible social protection system. This system is designed to adapt to changing needs and translate strategic goals into actionable programs. She noted that in recent years, the social protection sector has transitioned from a welfare model to one focused on empowerment and sustainable development. This transformation includes expanding services for persons with disabilities, launching senior day clubs, introducing the Unified Social Registry, activating e-services, and transitioning families supported by the National Aid Fund to productive programs.
The strategy is structured around four main pillars: "Dignity," focusing on coordinated social assistance and inclusive services; "Empowerment," promoting economic inclusion and universal healthcare; "Opportunity," aimed at creating decent jobs and labor market programs; and "Resilience," enhancing the social protection system's crisis response capabilities.
The executive plan of the strategy includes initiatives such as launching the Unified Social Registry, expanding the Takaful Plus program, increasing community development and *Makani* centers, and institutionalizing social work. Among its achievements, the plan highlights the launch of a unified cash support program and improved targeting mechanisms, alongside new regulations for social work and child rights.
Bani Mustafa noted that Jordan is one of the first countries to professionalize social work and issue practice licenses. She reported progress in implementing the strategy, including key reference documents, operational frameworks, and staffing for the monitoring and evaluation unit within the Ministry of Social Development.
The ministry has also integrated social protection activities into institutional budgets, initiated priority projects, and launched public awareness campaigns. Additional efforts include improving early childhood services, enhancing women's economic participation, and collaborating with the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management on crisis-responsive social protection.
The strategy's committees and working groups will continue to meet with donors and partners to support implementation, with coordination on monitoring and evaluation and training for the electronic tracking system. Bani Mustafa confirmed coordination with institutions through the budget cycle to secure funding for 2025-2028 activities, with quarterly progress reports from the Strategy Monitoring Unit.
ESC President Musa Shteiwi, along with MP Mutaz Abu Rumman, Senator Haidar Murad, and other ESC members, emphasized the importance of social protection as a safety net for citizens, contributing to sustainable social development and economic stability.