When the comprehensive national modernization project is introduced in Jordan as an encompassing path politically, economically, and administratively, the intention is not merely a set of adjacent reforms, but a profound vision for rebuilding the relationship between the state and society, economy and citizenship, education and production, and between political participation and public responsibility. In this context, the Jordanian woman can not be seen merely as a target within this project, but as a foundational pillar for its success and sustainability. Any modernization path that ignores half of the human capital or limits its effectiveness is doomed to failure, regardless of the quality of its policies or the ambition of its plans. The Jordanian experience, as confirmed by educational and social indicators, has shown that women have always been, and continue to be, an effective element in building society, although this presence has not always been reflected equally in the economic and political domains. This highlights the importance of dealing with women's empowerment not just as an isolated rights issue, but as a national choice directly linked to the quality of economic growth, the depth of political reform, and the efficiency of public administration.
Economic modernization fundamentally relies on enhancing productivity and maximizing the benefits from available skills, and cannot be achieved with limited economic participation by women, especially as they represent a high percentage of university graduates and specialized fields. Excluding these energies from the labor market means not only an individual loss but a compounded loss affecting the family, society, and the entire national economy, reflecting on poverty rates, unemployment, and social stability.
This economic aspect is closely related to political modernization, which is not measured only by adjusting laws or restructuring electoral systems, but by the capacity of this system to enhance public participation and build representation that reflects the true diversity of society. When Jordanian women are given a fair chance for political participation, they do not merely add a number to the representation equation, but they contribute to enriching public discourse and expanding national work priorities, including local development issues, education, health, and social protection, which are core to the modern social contract. An effective political presence of women enhances society's trust in its institutions and redefines politics as a public service rather than an arena of exclusion or monopoly.
The course of administrative modernization, which aims to increase government efficiency, improve public service quality, and strengthen transparency and accountability principles, does not segregate from this. Jordanian women are not only beneficiaries of these developed services but are essential partners in their design, implementation, and evaluation of their impact, especially as their presence increases in management and specialization roles. Comparative experiences have shown that involving women in administrative decision-making positions positively reflects on the sensitivity of public policies to community needs and their ability to respond equitably and balancedly to different groups, enhancing trust between the citizen and the state, a crucial foundation for any successful modernization project.
In this context, the importance of national references that have placed the empowerment of women within a clear strategic context, linking social justice and sustainable development, and transforming general principles into measurable and follow-up policies is evident. However, the real value of these references lies not merely in their texts but in their ability to effect real change by removing structural obstacles that still limit women's participation, whether legislative, economic, social, or cultural. True modernization is not completed by passing laws but begins when these laws are translated into equal opportunities, clear career paths, and real protection in work environments and public participation.
In this regard, the pivotal role of academic institutions, foremost Yarmouk University, through the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, emerges as an exemplary model of linking academic knowledge to public policies and community needs. The center not only performs a research and training function but also plays a national role in producing solid knowledge about the reality of Jordanian women, analyzing the challenges they face, and proposing practical solutions based on evidence and data, contributing to the direction of public decision-making and enhancing the effectiveness of modernization programs. This integration between the university, the community, and the state is one of the fundamental indicators of the maturity of the modernization project and its ability to benefit from national expertise.
Therefore, it can be said that the Jordanian woman is not a topic discussed on the sidelines of the comprehensive national modernization project but a main actor in its formulation, execution, and evaluation of its results. The success of economic modernization depends on her productive participation, anchoring political modernization requires her natural presence in the public sphere, and deepening administrative modernization is based on her leadership role in improving policies and services. When women are viewed from this comprehensive perspective, empowering them becomes an expression of the state's maturity and its confidence in its society, and evidence that modernization is no longer just a transitional slogan but a conscious national choice that invests in humans as both the end and the means.
