The Jordanian Women’s Union (JWU), headquartered in Amman, is a non-governmental, democratically elected organization that is committed to improving the status of women.  It is one of the most prominent and influential women’s organizations in the Arab world and has established strong networks with women’s movements, both nationally and internationally.The JWU was established in 1945.  In 1957, martial law was declared in Jordan and all non-governmental organizations were dissolved.  Thus, the JWU was forced to disband.  In 1974, the organization re-emerged as the Women’s Union of Jordan and continued its activities until 1981 when, once again, it was compelled to discontinue its operations.  With the democratization of Jordan’s parliament in 1990, the Women’s Union of Jordan again resumed operation.  In 1994, it adopted its present name, the Jordanian Women’s Union.

Since that time, the JWU has gained momentum in realizing its own objectives and in implementing its own agenda. It has increased its number of branches, expanded its scope of activities, and partnered with other women’s movements within the Arab world.   It has done so with a view to responding to the needs of Arab women at risk of gender-based violence, gender-based inequality, and other human rights violations.

The JWU’s vision is to achieve equal rights, within all sectors of society, for women and all marginalized groups.However, for this vision to be fully realized there must first be a real civil society.

Vision and Goals of the JWU 

To eliminate all types of discrimination against Jordanian women

To emphasize the role of Jordanian women in society and to empower them to practice their rights on the basis of equality, justice, and respect

To raise Jordanian women’s awareness of their role in society and to strengthen their participation in all fields of society

To enhance and encourage Jordanian women’s participation in public life

To eliminate legal, cultural, and political illiteracy among Jordanian women

To eliminate all legal, economic, social, and cultural barriers against women, in accordance with the human rights conventions signed by the Jordanian government

To promote human rights, in general, and women’s and children’s rights, in particular

To network and cooperate with other Arab women’s organizations, with a specific focus on the rights of Palestinian and Arab women

To establish and maintain solidarity with international women’s rights movements