Jerash Festival: Empowering Women, Local Communities, And Marketing Heritage Products

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, July 22 (Petra) – The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts, recognized for its role in empowering women and local communities economically, as well as promoting traditional and heritage crafts, has commenced, offering artisans and producers an opportunity to engage with the creative industries.
The participation of women, both individually and through cooperative associations, in the production of traditional and heritage crafts, is pivotal in their economic and social empowerment. This involvement extends to the broader community, creating job opportunities for many young individuals facing unemployment.
Dialogue sessions held in February on women's economic empowerment, organized by the Jordan Economic and Social Council in cooperation with the National Commission for Women and supported by the "Makani" project funded by USAID, highlighted the increasing importance of women's societal roles. The sessions underscored that women's contributions go beyond heritage preservation, encompassing handicraft innovation and creativity.
The dialogue outcomes emphasized that continuous training and professional experience are crucial for women's sustainability and development in the job market. Cooperative associations offer an effective legal framework to facilitate the establishment of productive projects.
Iman Bani Mustafa, Director of the Women's Empowerment Unit in Jerash Governorate, noted that the unit has been operational since 2018, collaborating with charitable and cooperative associations at both local and national levels to empower women.
She highlighted the unit's efforts in enhancing the production capacity of women, enabling them to market their handmade products such as embroidered clothing, which reflect Jordan's heritage. Notable products include "al-Hadeb," which showcases the nation's traditional heritage. Women also produce heritage food items and prepare traditional dishes, demonstrating significant production capabilities.
Bani Mustafa elaborated on the role of women and girls in traditional industries and handicrafts, including wooden carvings, resin art, sand painting, ceramics, and decoupage. These activities not only economically empower women but also contribute to environmental sustainability.
The unit aims to create marketing opportunities with both public and private sectors, connecting women with civil society organizations that support and economically empower them. This year, 15 women from Jerash received grants worth JD4,000 each for production projects, enhancing the unit's role and cooperation with associations.
She affirmed that the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts holds a special place for the local community, the unit, and production associations, especially those focused on women's empowerment. It is an important platform for displaying and marketing their products, economically empowering women and positively impacting the local community. It also helps in promoting Jordanian tourist products globally.
Bani Mustafa urged citizens to visit the festival to support women's economic empowerment, improve family economic levels, and thus develop the local community. Handicrafts are part of the creative industries, which, according to numerous studies and experiences from other countries, play a significant role in the economic cycle.

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