Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, and Women’s Empowerment

Over a two-year engagement, Edmaaj team led the institutionalization of the newly established Women Empowerment Directorate (WED) within Jordan’s Ministry of Social Development (MoSD). The initiative aimed to formally embed the WED into the Ministry’s organizational structure to advance gender mainstreaming across all MoSD policies, programs, and service delivery systems. It also focused on empowering women within the Ministry and improving services for female beneficiaries nationwide.

The first phase focused on institutional analysis and design. Edmaaj conducted a comprehensive desk review of national frameworks and international best practices, alongside key informant interviews (KIIs) with MoSD department heads and focus group discussions (FGDs) with senior female staff. Based on the findings, Edmaaj developed the WED’s full organizational structure—defining its mandate, reporting lines, alignment with the Ministry’s strategy, required staffing, and individual job descriptions. A strategic work plan was also created, including a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and a tailored capacity development plan, ensuring clarity of purpose and measurable outcomes.

In the second phase, Edmaaj supported the Ministry in appointing core staff to the central WED and facilitated the ToR deployment of focal points across 42 directorates throughout Jordan. This included technical guidance, tools, and ongoing mentorship to ensure operational readiness and strategic alignment.

The third phase involved a capacity needs assessment using a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey targeting staff in both central and regional offices. Based on the results, Edmaaj designed and delivered a series of targeted capacity-building programs, supported by a Gender Skills Manual and customized training materials. The training addressed key areas such as gender equality and inclusion foundations, applying gender-sensitive approaches in development projects, M&E with gender-disaggregated indicators, applied research, and stakeholder engagement. In total, 75 MoSD employees benefited from the training.

The final phase focused on operational support and strategic coaching. Edmaaj provided advisory services to the WED during its first 18 months of implementation, including the development of a Gender-Integrated Performance Dashboard to track high-level KPIs and stakeholder mapping. The team also conducted a Ministry-wide stakeholder assessment to support the adoption of a safeguarding policy. To further strengthen leadership and implementation capacity, Edmaaj designed coaching and mentoring guide cards and provided one-on-one and group mentoring sessions aligned with the WED’s action plan for 2024.

This comprehensive, multi-phase engagement positioned the WED as a functional and strategic unit within MoSD—empowered to lead gender mainstreaming across the Ministry and deliver more equitable and responsive social services throughout Jordan.

Edmaaj conducted a Participatory Gender Audit (PGA) for Jordan’s Ministry of Local Administration (MoLA), with support from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). Using the ILO’s internationally recognized PGA methodology, the audit aimed to strengthen gender equality within the Ministry’s institutional structures, strategies, and service delivery.

The process included an in-depth review of MoLA’s policies, HR systems, and programs, alongside staff surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs) with senior leadership, site visits, and gender-sensitive facility checklists. Interactive workshops engaged decision-makers to reflect on organizational culture and performance.

A key project component was the capacity-building of a MoLA audit team through a 12-day training program covering gender equality principles, audit procedures, data analysis, and reporting. The audit concluded with a comprehensive report, endorsed by the Minister, that included an actionable gender mainstreaming plan and a formal Gender Equality Policy for the Ministry.

Edmaaj conducted a Gender Equality and Inclusion Self-Assessment (GEISA) for Plan International Jordan (PIJO) to support organizational learning and strengthen internal and external gender equality and inclusion practices. The assessment focused on three key areas: staff and office culture, programmatic and influencing work, and marketing and communications. The objective was to help PIJO reflect on its performance and build capacity to advance gender equality across all levels of its operations.

Using a highly participatory and reflective methodology, Edmaaj led the GEISA process by conducting a comprehensive desk review, delivering targeted training sessions, and designing and administering structured self-assessment questionnaires. The team also carried out key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with staff to gather qualitative insights and validate findings.

Edmaaj analyzed the data to assess the organization's strengths and identify areas for improvement. The findings were presented in a detailed final report with clear, actionable recommendations to guide PIJO in strengthening its gender equality and inclusion efforts.

Edmaaj developed a Gender-Sensitive Communication Strategy for Jordan’s Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs as part of the USAID Takamol Gender Program, implemented in partnership with Al-Hayat Center. The assignment aimed to enhance the Ministry’s ability to communicate more effectively and inclusively with diverse constituencies by integrating gender considerations into its messaging and public engagement.

Edmaaj applied qualitative methods to assess the Ministry’s existing communication practices and identify areas for improvement. This included key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, youth groups, media professionals, charitable associations, political parties, government employees, and political activists.

Insights from the consultation process informed the development of a practical and contextually grounded communication strategy that promotes inclusive political dialogue and advances gender equality in public discourse.

Edmaaj partnered with Social Development Direct (SDD) to provide strategic and operational support to the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) in the MENA region. Funded by UKAid through the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the RSH global programme aims to strengthen safeguarding policy and practice across the international aid sector, with a particular focus in this phase on Yemen, Syria, and Jordan.

The project led multiple streams of work to support civil society organizations (CSOs) in adopting and applying safeguarding policies to prevent and respond to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). Key activities included organizational capacity assessments, risk and baseline assessments, and the development of context-appropriate safeguarding tools and resources—made accessible via an open-source online platform in both Arabic and English.

The team also designed blended learning programs tailored to stakeholder needs, conducted targeted training workshops, orientation webinars, and implemented mentorship initiatives to help CSOs integrate safeguarding measures into their operations and governance. This approach combined technical rigor with regional relevance to create a responsive and sustainable safeguarding ecosystem.

Edmaaj conducted a two-phased Participatory Gender Audit (PGA) for the Jordan Municipal Support Project (JMSP), implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Administration (MoLA). The audit focused on the Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) and aimed to strengthen the Ministry’s capacity to institutionalize gender-sensitive practices across its policies, programs, and operations.

The audit promoted organizational learning on gender mainstreaming and assessed how effectively gender equality principles were embedded within MoLA’s structures and strategies. Edmaaj conducted a comprehensive review of internal policies and documents, developed a tailored gender policy for the SWMU, and ensured that gender considerations were integrated into all aspects of the unit’s planning and implementation processes.

Edmaaj also facilitated capacity-building workshops and refresher sessions for SWMU staff, focusing on PGA tools, gender mainstreaming strategies, and practical implementation approaches. The audit contributed to aligning MoLA’s operations with national and international gender equality commitments and building a foundation for long-term institutional change.

Edmaaj conducted a Participatory Gender Audit (PGA) for the Equal Opportunity Unit (EOU) at the Cities and Villages Development Bank (CVDB) as part of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) support to Jordanian public institutions. The audit aimed to assess CVDB’s institutional performance on gender sensitivity and to establish a sustainable mechanism for integrating gender considerations into policies, procedures, and project implementation.

The audit focused on four key dimensions: political will, technical capacity, accountability, and organizational culture. Edmaaj employed a range of data collection tools, including document analysis, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs). The findings were used to develop a comprehensive policy and procedures compliance report that identified good practices and key areas for improvement.

Edmaaj also provided training to the EOU team to build their capacity in conducting future gender audits, helping institutionalize the process within CVDB and ensuring long-term alignment with gender equity goals.

Edmaaj conducted a Rapid Care Analysis for Oxfam’s “WE CAN!” Programme in Ma’an Governorate, targeting Jordanian and Syrian refugee communities. The analysis aimed to measure the time women invest in unpaid care work and assess how care responsibilities affect their ability to participate in economic life. The activity contributed to Oxfam’s broader Women’s Economic Empowerment initiative focused on addressing structural barriers to women’s livelihood opportunities.

Using Oxfam’s care analysis framework, Edmaaj applied qualitative tools to capture gendered household dynamics and daily care responsibilities. The process included community engagement with women, men, and dependents from both host and refugee groups, generating detailed insights into how unpaid care work is distributed and perceived at the household level.

The findings highlighted the scale and impact of unpaid care work on women’s time and mobility, revealing critical links between caregiving burdens and limited economic participation. Results informed the programme’s advocacy and policy efforts, supporting the development of gender-responsive strategies to redistribute care work and improve women’s access to livelihoods.

Edmaaj conducted a comprehensive Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) stocktaking exercise for the UAE Network, commissioned by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The assignment aimed to map current GESI efforts across the network, identify gaps and priorities, and build internal capacity to advance GESI mainstreaming in future programming and operations.

The process included a participatory workshop with UAE Network members to assess ongoing GESI initiatives, available resources, and institutional capacity. Edmaaj also conducted key informant interviews (KIIs) with UAE Network staff and partners, delivered a tailored training session on GESI principles, and developed terms of reference (ToR) for a follow-on GESI analysis.

The stocktaking emphasized the inclusion of socially excluded groups—particularly women, girls, and persons with disabilities—and provided practical insights and recommendations to support stronger, more inclusive practices across the UAE Network.

Edmaaj conducted research to examine the barriers preventing survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in Jordan from accessing essential response services. The study aimed to understand the socio-economic, cultural, and systemic factors that shape survivors’ help-seeking behaviours across healthcare, legal, and psychosocial sectors.

Using a mixed-methods approach, Edmaaj conducted a desk review of national frameworks and global best practices, followed by key informant interviews (KIIs) with representatives from NGOs, UN agencies, and government institutions. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with women from diverse backgrounds—including refugees, GBV survivors, and women with disabilities. In addition, structured surveys were administered to gather quantitative data from survivors and service users.

The research identified key barriers such as stigma, limited awareness, institutional inefficiencies, and gaps in service coverage. Edmaaj provided practical, evidence-based recommendations to improve survivor-centred services and strengthen GBV response systems. The study was conducted in adherence to strict ethical protocols, ensuring informed consent, safeguarding, and gender-sensitive engagement throughout.