Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa emphasized that the National Social Protection Strategy, under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, takes into account a holistic view of social protection, given that social protection is a concept related to security and societal peace. She emphasized the need to link it with modernization visions in their three dimensions: political, economic, and administrative, and to accelerate the pace of its implementation and modernization.

 

This came during her lecture, "Social Development and Its Relationship to National Security," delivered  on Sunday, to scholars of the 21st National Defense Course at the Royal National Defense College.

 

The Minister of Social Development added that the Ministry of Social Development leads social protection efforts, which are not limited to its own programs alone, but also include numerous other institutions and ministries, within a framework of integrating roles, unifying efforts, and sharing responsibilities, in order to preserve a society characterized by security, tranquility, and stability.

 

Bani Mustafa reviewed the most prominent outcomes of the National Social Protection Strategy, which guarantees Jordanians a decent life, a decent work environment, and the best possible social services. She highlighted the importance of the "Karama" axis, which includes social assistance. The base of beneficiaries of cash assistance has been expanded, relying on the targeting equation and data available on families in the Unified National Registry. The program also expanded the graduation and economic empowerment program for poor families, with the aim of transforming needy families from aid-dependent families to productive families by motivating them to be productive in a sustainable manner. She also highlighted the recently launched "Strengthen Your Opportunity" initiative, which aims to train young people, selected under specific conditions, through the Coursera educational platform.

 

The Minister of Social Development addressed the "Empowerment" axis, which focuses on providing social services to the most vulnerable groups, empowering women, and protecting girls, as well as the "Opportunity" axis, which focuses on decent work and an enabling work environment. A fourth axis was also created, concerned with responding to crises and shocks. This axis is headed by the National Center for Security and Crisis Management, which aims to ensure access to basic services for vulnerable and vulnerable groups during crises and to strengthen and develop social protection systems to ensure their response to crises. She also highlighted the Ministry's efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Bani Mustafa discussed the programs offered by the Ministry within two frameworks: institutional and developmental. The institutional aspect is linked to the care centers affiliated with the Ministry, or those it supervises, in the voluntary and private sectors, and addresses the target groups of the Ministry's programs, specifically those in need of care. A special strategy was developed for orphans and those without family support in protection and care centers, with the aim of ensuring the provision of optimal services to beneficiaries and monitoring them.

 

The Minister of Social Development explained the Ministry's efforts to expand services for the elderly by reintegrating them into society and encouraging the establishment of day clubs for the elderly. She also emphasized the Ministry's efforts to replace institutional care with inclusive and alternative family care for persons with disabilities through the Shelter Alternatives Program currently being implemented by the Ministry.

 

Bani Mustafa highlighted the reforms to the Associations Law, including its review and amendments, and the creation of the Takamul platform, which provides comprehensive data on associations with the aim of empowering and facilitating their work. She also highlighted the recently introduced legislation, most notably the draft Social Development Law, recently approved by the House of Representatives, in addition to other legislation that guarantees fair social services for all.

 

At the end of the meeting, Bani Mustafa answered questions from students at the National Defense College, praising this distinguished academic and military institution.