Region: Jordan, Middle East

Main Areas Of Interest: gender and development

Fellowship Period: October- December 2006

Keywords: empowerment, Muslim women’s rights, technological development

Biographical Profile:
Jinan graduated from the Technology University in Baghdad and moved to Badiea in the north of Jordan, in order to give her children an opportunity to reconnect with their grandparent’s environment, and to help them create a network among their community. She then joined the Safawi Women Charity, worked as a UN volunteer at the JITCC program in Jordan, and as a local partner for the American Peace Corps.

In 2004, she was chosen to work with the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) Project, which entails observing 15 communities in Jordan on four of the MDGs: education, environment, gender, and poverty. She helped to create the "Khuzama and Nafal Association for Safawi Women" and was named their chief. Jinan has obtained several awards for her work in helping women, youth and the unemployed gain computer skills.

She currently works at the Badeia Research Development Center, as a fundraiser and translator. Her challenge is to raise awareness and empower women within the Muslim society and involve women in the development process.