UN Women’s Oasis programme empowers Jordanian and Syrian women 

“Our aim is to enable women to participate in the labour market, confront societal violence, and emerge as leaders,” said Nidal Al-Hajjaj, Oasis’ Programme Manager. Al-Hajjaj has led the programme’s expansion from four centres at its launch to 18 throughout Jordan and four in the Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps.

The programme’s multifaceted approach, covering livelihood, protection, leadership building, and education, reflects Nidal’s aim to foster an environment conducive to transformative investments in women.

The programme’s success is further reflected in its contributions to social cohesion and gender sensitization within communities, integrating critical feedback to refine and augment its impact continually. Oasis centres embody the theme of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign: “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.”

“The Oasis centres offer a safe space where women voice concerns and gain positive coping strategies”, said Hadeel Qunaibi, a protection officer at Oasis. Through interactive workshops and awareness sessions, women engage with human rights, gender-based violence, and protection mechanisms, all aligned with the campaign.

“It’s more than workshops; it’s about community integration, creating an effect of empowered women equipped to face life’s responsibilities”, Qunaibi added.