A highlight by Tamara Khalaf, Director of Teaching and Learning

Since the launch of the Leadership, Organizing, and Feminism course in 2019, we have worked to create a dedicated space for women leaders in Jordan to engage with the principles of community organizing, reflect on the intersections between women’s rights, organizing, and liberation struggles, and explore how these ideas shape the tools of resistance and social change.

In 2024, the program evolved significantly—transforming from a training course into a multi-phase, comprehensive program applied in Jordan. This shift introduced a long-term learning journey, deepening both theoretical knowledge and practical organizing skills while creating opportunities for participants to apply their learning, accumulate experiences, and take action on the ground.

The first phase of this newly expanded program concluded in 2024, activating the leadership of 24 women from different governorates across Jordan. One of the most significant achievements of this phase was the development of real, community-based campaigns that reflect the priorities and needs of the participants—turning learning into tangible action.

Throughout this phase, the participants engaged in an intensive, interactive learning journey designed to strengthen their skills in organizing and leading collective action for change. They worked within 15 campaigns, each supported by three dedicated community organizing teaching fellows as coaches, who guided them in reflecting on leadership, developing public narratives, building strong relational ties, and taking meaningful steps toward action.

On the political analysis and strategy front, the program incorporated specialized training led by experienced organizers and activists, including Hala Ahed, Hadeel Abdel Aziz, and Nisreen Haj Ahmad. They equipped participants with analytical tools and methodologies to assess the political landscape, identify opportunities for intervention, and navigate their organizing work effectively.

Currently, Ahel’s campaign coaching team is actively supporting the participants and their campaigns, ensuring that the momentum built during this phase is sustained and that their impact in their communities continues to grow. We are confident that the positive impact of this program will only expand, leading to new breakthroughs in the coming years.

This program has been a unique and transformative experience, offering us the chance to reimagine organizing as a tool for advancing women’s rights and addressing women’s issues in a sustainable and impactful way. I am excited to see how these women leaders continue their journeys in the next phases of the program.