The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), as a part of the USAID- Tawazon – Promoting the Voice and Leadership of Women activity, launched the first training phase of the Arab Women Leadership Academy (AWLA) program to develop the leadership abilities of women in Jordan and enhance their role in their families and communities.  Over a period of three years, AWLA will train 500 women from different backgrounds, age groups, and fields of expertise from all over the Kingdom.

This first AWLA group includes 70 women from Irbid, Amman, Balqa, Aqaba and Ma'an governorates. The training program will take place over the period of 6 months and will support the women’s civic and political participation and their leadership in the public and private sectors and civil society. 

Tawazon Activity Chief of Party Roselle Agner said, “The Tawazon Activity aims to promote women's voices and increase their impact by enforcing gender-sensitive legislative frameworks, encouraging behaviors and social norms that support women’s participation and removing barriers to implementing this participation, as well as developing their leadership competencies”. 

The program organizers stressed the need to prepare a new generation of women leaders capable of assuming leadership roles in their communities, by providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills, providing a safe environment for women, and integrating efforts between all sectors and institutions that support women's access to leadership roles. 

AWLA is one of the most prominent leadership programs targeting ambitious women in Jordan through practical training methodologies, that enable them to develop their leadership competencies to amplify their voices and contribute to the formation of a more inclusive and empowering society.