A Mile’s Journey Begins With a Single Step
With USAID support, women judges forge ahead in Jordan’s judiciary
Until 1996, not a single woman had been appointed to a judgeship in Jordan. Even after women began getting involved in the judiciary, conservative societal attitudes presented significant challenges.
“There is often apprehension when a woman assumes a position of power,” said Judge Ohoud Al-Majali, the Madaba Governorate Public Prosecutor. “Why should having a family mean that one cannot work? I hope that this attitude will change.”
Judge Nihad Al-Husban, who presides over the Amman Court of First Instance, Jordan’s largest court, is a firm believer that women’s representation in the judiciary can only improve the administration of justice:
“Women are the heart of society. We make up half of it … and the other half we raise!”
USAID has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Judicial Institute of Jordan, which provides training to judges, by promoting its independence and providing training and leadership opportunities to judges, including Judges Al-Majali and Al-Husban.
One of USAID’s most impactful achievements was building the capacity of the institute to adopt a competitive and anonymous matriculation process, which significantly increased the admission of women to the institute. Since 2008, when USAID began supporting the Judicial Institute, the representation of women in the judiciary has increased from 5% to 25%.
Studies show that having women in the justice sector leads to better outcomes, including increased access to justice and fairness, greater public trust in the judicial system, and more impartial decision-making.
Judge Iman Qatarneh, the head of the Amman Juvenile Court of First Instance, credits her education as the foundation for her success: “My degree has empowered me.” Women in Jordan are highly educated, accounting for around 56 percent of university students in the country. Yet, this does not automatically translate into empowerment in other aspects of life.
Despite her academic credentials, Judge Qatarneh had barriers to overcome, including finding the proper balance as a working mother. She recalled giving birth to her son and starting courses at the Judicial Institute just two days later: “I was afraid that if I was absent, my colleagues would outdo me because I would’ve missed out on important learning opportunities.”
The lack of women’s representation in society, especially in leadership positions, is not only an injustice, but also a missed opportunity for the growth and development of society. The International Labour Organization estimates that Jordan’s workforce gender gap represents an annual loss of nearly $8 billion to the country’s economy. When women are not given equal opportunities to participate in society, their ideas, expertise, and talents are silenced. This is a net loss for all of society.
Besides being at the forefront of women’s empowerment, USAID has also been a key contributor to the development of other aspects of Jordan’s judiciary. Judge Al-Husban says that USAID’s support for digitizing the judiciary has been instrumental in eliminating inefficiencies and corruption, while Judge Qatarneh cites USAID’s support for the creation of a juvenile court as one of its most important contributions.
USAID will continue its critical support to the judiciary, including through its new Rule of Law Policy, which supports the implementation of people-centered justice approaches that bring unique experiences and community perspectives into judicial decision-making.
Although the representation of women in the judiciary has improved in Jordan, there is still much work to be done. Even beyond the judicial sector, Judge Qatarneh hopes to see an increase in gender equality, women’s socioeconomic empowerment, and improved access to senior positions. “We can say women are truly empowered when we reach this point,” she said.
What will it take to get there? For Judge Al-Majali, social acceptance is key. “Although laws help women’s roles, the most important factor is society’s acceptance,” she said.
Judge Al-Husban agreed: “It is essential to change negative stereotypes about women. Performance will be the ultimate judge when equal opportunities are granted to both men and women.”
Cultural barriers may be difficult to overcome, but the three judges have shown that any obstacle can be overcome with determination, hard work, and a strong support system.
“As women, we must help empower one another,” says Judge Qatarneh, noting that perseverance and patience are also required. “I did not become the head of the Court of First Instance overnight. I worked my way through the ranks. As they say, ‘A mile’s journey begins with a single step.’ ”
