Jordan: HERitage – Women, Culture, and Development in Madaba, Project Launch

Madaba, one of Jordan’s most culturally rich and historically significant cities, faces the dual challenge of preserving its urban cultural heritage while advancing sustainable development.

The HERitage: Women, Culture and Development project, Funded by the Embassy of France to Jordan seeks to foster gender equality through urban heritage preservation and urban development in Madaba. This initiative addresses the critical intersections of culture, gender, and urban planning, while also boosting the local economy.

Over the next two years, HERitage will focus on three transformative objectives:

• Increasing Awareness: Raising stakeholder understanding of gender inequalities and the essential role of women in Madaba’s heritage and tourism sectors.
• Enhancing Capacities: Developing professional and entrepreneurial skills among women, fostering the growth of women-led businesses.
• Embedding Gender-Responsive Practices: Integrating gender-sensitive approaches into municipal planning and decision-making processes.

By achieving these goals, the project aims to create an innovative model for inclusive development, where heritage preservation celebrates the past while paving the way for more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities.

The official launch of HERitage will be marked by an event featuring prominent speakers, including Arf Al-Rawajih, Mayor of Madaba, Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison, Ambassador of France to Jordan and Dr Ahmad Al-Amayreh, Dean of the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration (MIMAR).

It will also feature an expert panel discussion on the role of women in heritage preservation and revitalization, covering the following topics:

• Safeguarding Cultural Identity - Women’s Role in Heritage Conservation: Dr Ahmad Al-Amayreh, Dean of MIMAR. 
• Integrating Gender into Urban Planning - Madaba’s Approach to Women’s Economic Empowerment: Kholoud Al-Falahat, Municipal representative. 
• Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Heritage and Tourism Entrepreneurship: Ferial Karadsheh, Entrepreneur. 
• Unlocking Women’s Potential: Advancing Gender Equality in Sustainable Tourism: Eliana Janineh, Tourism expert.