“Votes for women candidates nearly doubled in the last election,” says Nicolas Burniat, UN Women Representative in Jordan. “It was a historic shift, and we’re committed to ensuring this momentum continues.”

More Jordanian women are joining in political processes, says Al-Kharisha, “because the laws have started creating space for women to lead and participate.” As part of Jordan’s commitment to inclusive governance, it passed a series of new legislation: 

1. The Elections Law (2022): increases the quota for women in the House of Representatives to 18, allocating one seat per electoral district. It also places women and youth higher on party lists in local elections 
2. Political Parties Law (2022): requires women form at least 20 per cent of a political party’s founding members 
3. Local Administration Law No. 22 (2021): raises women’s representation in local and regional councils to 25 per cent – an increase from 10 per cent 

While these changes are important, Al-Kharisha and Kassab agree: Adding women candidates to the ballot, alone, isn’t enough to empower regular Jordanian women. They must also see and understand how central they are to shaping the country’s political future.  

UN Women has been working closely with civil society organizations and leaders like Al-Kharisha, as well as the IEC, the Government of Jordan, and other key national stakeholders to ensure women’s voices are heard. This includes working together on “Our Shared Responsibility,” a national awareness programme that promotes women’s political participation through a network of influencers and dialogues.

UN Women is also advocating for more women at the IEC, which organizes and ensures fair and transparent elections in Jordan. Recently, for the first time in history, a woman was selected to lead the national committee, and three women were appointed to lead local committees.

“This progress is helping create a safer and more welcoming environment,” says Al-Kharisha. “Women are actively participating in workshops and meetings, and many are stepping forward with confidence and a clear vision for leadership.”

“Many believe politics is ‘not for women,’” reflects Kassab, who leads the school district’s Guidance Department as her fulltime job. “Cultural expectations, limited training, and the absence of role models create real obstacles to women’s political participation, often before legal or institutional barriers even come into play.” 

The barriers to women’s political participation are social, economic and cultural, including a lack of party and voter support and high campaign costs. There are also practical barriers: According to Kassab, women may lack opportunities to gain hands-on experience with elections, the confidence for public-speaking, or the digital skills required for modern campaigns.

When she first started getting involved with the IEC more than a decade ago, Kassab recalls feeling unsure of herself. Now, with help from UN Women’s scholarship initiative, she understands how essential women are to fair elections – and her role in bringing more women into the process. “I once feared and misunderstood political engagement, and I missed out on opportunities. But through my studies, I now see it as a key to the future.”

The scholarships – made possible with the support of the European Union and Italian Government – combine academic study with practical leadership skills. So far, they have sent 20 women to master’s degree programmes at the University of Jordan.

To Al-Kharisha and Kassab, the political future looks bright.

Kassab prides herself on being a role model for her six children and her students, as she balances home life with meaningful public service. “In the community, I’m respected as someone who contributes to public life. I hope that encourages other women to step forward when they’re ready.”

Al-Kharisha’s goal is to inspire more people to vote for “responsible, knowledgeable, and capable women candidates,” she says. And if the right opportunity to run for election arises: “I will not hesitate,” she adds.

“My message to every woman: Don’t let stereotypes define you,” says Al-Kharisha. “Go out there, leave your mark, and claim your rightful place at the table.”