AMMAN — Minister of Transport Nidal Qatamin has announced plans to establish a specialised unit within the Land Transport Regulatory Authority dedicated to handling women’s complaints related to public transport.

 

The unit will operate under strict confidentiality standards and coordinate closely with relevant authorities to address reported incidents, according to a ministry statement.

 

The announcement came during the launch of the “Arrived Safely” project, implemented by JoWomenomics and funded by the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.

 

The event brought together senior government officials, international partners, civil society organisations, and transport sector stakeholders to discuss pathways toward safer and more inclusive public transport, particularly for women and girls.

 

In his remarks, Minister Qatamin emphasised that developing a modern public transport system is inseparable from ensuring safety and dignity for all users.

 

He noted that “women’s safety in public transportation has become a developmental and economic priority, given its direct impact on women’s access to employment and economic participation, in line with broader international labour standards.”

 

Former minister of transport Lina Shabib highlighted that accessible and safe public transport is a cornerstone of development rather than a luxury.

 

She stressed its role in connecting citizens to education, employment, and essential services, describing safety as a core element of the ongoing modernisation of the transport sector.

 

Founder of JoWomenomics Mayyada Abu Jaber described "Arrived Safely" as a long-term intervention designed to translate awareness into structural change. “Safe mobility is central to women’s economic empowerment,” she said, “as limitations on movement continue to restrict women’s access to jobs, education, and essential services, contributing to Jordan’s low female labour force participation rate, estimated at around 14 per cent.”

 

Abu Jaber outlined the project as a multi-year, closed-circle model linking community engagement with system-level reform. The initiative works with 11 partner civil society organisations to reach women at the community level, supports transport operators in introducing codes of conduct and anti-sexual harassment provisions, and strengthens sector capacity through training drivers and frontline staff.

 

Over the project period, more than 2,000 women and girls, including refugees, will receive training on their rights and protection strategies, alongside awareness campaigns and capacity-building programmes targeting drivers and the wider public.

 

The project adopts an evidence-based approach. During its initial phase, JoWomenomics conducted field research interviewing over 200 women to assess the prevalence and forms of harassment. Preliminary findings indicated that 42.5 per cent of respondents experienced sexual harassment over the past three years. The research is expected to culminate in a dedicated publication outlining the scale of the issue, its root causes, and practical policy solutions.

 

A key milestone was achieved through a partnership with Amman Vision Transport, resulting in the introduction of an in-app reporting feature that allows passengers to report sexual harassment in real time. Complaints will be managed through formal channels to strengthen accountability, improve response mechanisms, and enhance trust in public transport services.

 

UN Women Country Representative Nicolas Burnet described the initiative as part of a tangible shift in Jordan toward sustainable and meaningful change, stressing that enabling women’s access to safe public transport is essential for supporting their economic participation. He noted that the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, established in 1983, currently supports programmes in 41 countries.

 

The launch was attended by senior officials and diplomatic representatives, including the UK Ambassador to Jordan and representatives from Belgium and Canada.

 

It also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Amman Vision Transport aimed at promoting a safer and more equitable public transport environment and addressing gender-based violence against women and girls.

 

The programme included two panel discussions examining challenges within public transport and pathways toward safer and fairer systems. Collectively, the announcement and launch underscored that "Arrived Safely" is not a one-off campaign, but a sustained national partnership aimed at embedding safety, accountability, and dignity within Jordan’s public transport infrastructure.