In the winding streets of Jerash, where history whispers through ancient ruins, another story unfolds, one not etched in stone but lived in the quiet strength of its women. Beneath the surface of Jordan’s rich cultural tapestry lies a stark reality: women, particularly in governorates like Jerash, remain second-class citizens, fighting a reality shaped by deep-rooted patriarchy, economic exclusion, and social constraints.
Though their hands stitch beauty into embroidered fabrics and their voices weave resilience into their communities, their rights and opportunities remain fragile. Limited access to financial independence, restrictive legal frameworks, and the weight of tradition bind them to roles dictated by others. Yet, in the face of these barriers, they continue to carve out spaces of hope—finding refuge in safe havens, seeking education against the odds, and reclaiming their right to exist beyond societal expectations.
The challenges in Jerash are deeply rooted in systemic gender inequalities that affect every aspect of a woman’s life. High unemployment rates among women, limited access to higher education due to financial and societal constraints, and deeply ingrained cultural norms restrict their ability to fully participate in the economy and public life. Women who seek employment often face discrimination, wage gaps, and a lack of safe working environments. Moreover, the absence of legal protection against financial and domestic violence further exacerbates their vulnerability, making it difficult for them to claim their rights and build their independent futures.
Despite the challenges, Jerash is a melting pot of cultures, where Jordanians—Muslims and Christians—live alongside Palestinians, Syrians, Circassians, and Chechens. In this rich blend of identities, the Jerash Women Association fosters unity through one of the most traditional yet powerful forms of expression, embroidery. Within the association’s embroidery workshop, women from different backgrounds gather, their hands moving in rhythm, stitching together not just fabric but a shared identity.
For many women, the workshop is more than a place to learn a craft, it is a lifeline. Some arrive seeking a way out of domestic violence, desperate for financial independence and a sense of dignity. Others, trapped in generational poverty, search for means to support themselves and their families. Through embroidery, they find both a skill and a voice. Historically, needlework flourished in female spaces and within homes, in moments stolen from endless responsibilities. To them, embroidery is to break free from the hurdles of life, and get control over the one thing they own, their pieces of art.
One of these women is Roya, a worker at the embroidery workshop, who fought a silent yet fierce battle to claim her future. After her father passed away, her family granted her only a fraction of her rightful inheritance, which was just enough to cover the registration fee for university. With no support and relentless opposition from her husband and relatives, who dismissed her ambitions and constantly urged her to drop out, Roya found herself trapped in uncertainty. No one believed in her. No one offered to help.
To make matters worse, her husband burdened her with household duties and refused to support her, either financially or by sharing responsibilities at home. The weight of running a household while pursuing her education was immense, but Roya refused to surrender. With determination and relentless hard work, she secured a partial scholarship. The rest of her tuition, she earned through her delicate stitches and intricate patterns, working tirelessly in the embroidery workshop. The very hands that were expected to remain confined to household duties became the hands that shaped her own destiny. And when she finally graduated, the same family that had once doubted her now beamed with pride.
Now, Roya works as an administrator in one of the schools in Jerash. Despite achieving financial independence and securing a stable career, she still cannot forget how the embroidery workshop played a vital role in her journey. During school holidays, she continues to return to the workshop, not out of necessity but out of emotional connection. To her, the workshop is more than a workplace; it is a refuge where she can express herself and escape the weight of life's responsibilities.
Roya shared her story during one of the awareness sessions on violence against women and girls that were conducted on the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign, funded by the EU Delegation to Jordan through Pro Peace. She was keen to share her experience and mention her inspiring journey as an example of financial violence after being deprived of her right to inherit. “I have never dared to dream about pursuing a university degree or about becoming financially independent. After I was deprived of my basic right to inherit the full amount of money that my father had left for me, I was keen to make these things realities that I have fought for and won,” adds Roya.
Financial independence is a crucial step toward women's empowerment, but it is not enough on its own. Recognizing that childcare responsibilities often prevent women from entering the workforce, Heba Zuraiqat, head of the Jerash Women Association, identified a critical gap in the governorate: women were largely absent from the labor market and had limited opportunities to take on leadership or decision-making roles due to their household and caregiving duties. To address this, the association established an affordable nursery, ensuring that mothers no longer have to choose between providing for their families, pursuing a career, and raising their children. By offering this essential support, the Jerash Women Association is not just enabling women to work, it is also laying the foundation for a future where they can lead, thrive, and take their rightful place in society.
"I am working to empower women and build a society where women uplift and support one another. In Jerash, I want to see a community that is truly inclusive, one that values and respects women’s efforts, not just within their homes but in every space where decisions are made. Women have immense potential beyond household duties; they are leaders, innovators, and changemakers. When we recognize and nurture this potential, we don’t just empower women, we strengthen the entire community", shares Heba Zuraiqat.
Recognizing the importance of these initiatives, Pro Peace Jordan established a strategic partnership with the association, which aligns directly to the program’s effort to enhance gender equality and promote women empowerment. Through this collaboration, the two organizations work together to create opportunities for women, challenge systemic barriers, and advocate for policies that promote gender equity, ensuring that women in Jerash and beyond have the tools and support they need to thrive.
On this International Day of Women, we turn our gaze to the women of Jerash, women whose struggles are often unheard, whose battles are often unseen. Yet, like the sun rising over Jordan’s hills, they continue to push forward, unyielding in their hope, unwavering in their strength, and determined to claim the future that has always been rightfully theirs.