15/07/2025

As part of the Enhancing Women’s Economic Opportunities (EWEO) Project in Jordan, and within the scope of expanding access to quality childcare services, the World Bank, in coordination with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), held a consultative session on July 15, 2025, with representatives of nurseries affiliated with civil society associations. The session focused particularly on nurseries that received support from MoSD since 2023 to establish childcare centers in accordance with approved standards.

The session aimed to discuss the implementation challenges encountered by these associations in establishing nurseries, and to present the EWEO project’s environmental and social standards, along with the draft code of conduct for childcare workers, designed to ensure a safe and supportive environment for children. Participants were also introduced to the draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) currently under development, which will be finalized and implemented by grant recipients following appropriate training.

Participants also explored proposed mechanisms to expand and improve community-based and homebased childcare services as part of broader efforts to promote early childhood development and reduce barriers to women’s economic participation.

Importantly, the EWEO Project, implemented by the Government of Jordan with support from the World Bank, aims to increase women’s labor force participation by addressing four key constraints including workplace conditions, access to childcare, financial inclusion, and safe transportation. The project supports the expansion of the childcare sector —particularly in non-serviced areas— through the development of a national childcare policy, strengthened regulatory frameworks, capacity-building for childcare providers, and efforts to increase awareness and uptake of childcare services among working mothers.