On Monday, November 27, 2023, Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) in Jordan Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader, patronized a panel discussion at Karam Imsih Hall, titled, “The Political Party Culture and Women,” organized by the “Initiative to Promote Women's Participation in Political Parties."

At the outset of the panel, CCSM Director Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader prayed for the martyrs of Gaza and praised the patience and resistance of Palestinian women in the face of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. He pointed out that this panel takes place at the right time in light of the nation’s relevant partisan issues and the completion of its democratic life. He expressed the importance of women’s participation in partisan life and their active role in the national renaissance, stressing that the Catholic Church supports women’s participation in all social, cultural and political forums.

Dr. Marcel Jweinat presented an overview of the objectives of the initiative, which aims to enhance the role and presence of women in party life.

Dr. Adnan Muqattash said that the panel aims at raising awareness among Jordanian women involvement in political parties, encouraging more women to participate in politics, and helping them develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their political careers.

Member of the Lower House of Parliament Dina Al-Bashir stated that women’s participation in political life has become a necessity and not a luxury, as this stems from the belief that women are an essential partner in social and political development. She expressed her pride in the women who have successfully played their role in society through their active participation.

For his part, Government coordinator for Human Right Basel Tarawneh stated that women have played a pioneering role in political and partisan participation and that they were able to participate in the public life in accordance with the regulating laws and legislation as well as to obtain their political rights. He stressed the necessity of empowering them in political work now, especially as the nation approaches an important political stage in the upcoming parliamentary elections, where parties will have a fundamental role.

University professor Safa’ Shwaihat referred to the need for Jordanian society as a whole to consolidate the concept of democratic and party life, noting that women’s participation in political parties is a form of plurality in any country. She pointed out the need for greater female representation, numerically and qualitatively, in political parties and the Lower House of Parliament alike.

Later, a discussion ensued among the attendees and the speakers, which enriched the panel by listening to the voices calling for finding the means to enhance the role of women and enable them to have an effective and influential presence in partisan life, consequently in political life as a whole in our honorable Jordanian society.