A delegation from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) visited the Jordanian city of Karak to examine progress of the “Women Do Business” project, funded by the bureau under the International Labour Organization (ILO) Crisis Response Programme.

The delegation toured a bazaar organised by the ILO and the Jordan River Foundation (JRF) for eight female beneficiaries, who showcased their products.

The ILO and JRF are collaborating on implementation of the project, which aims to empower Jordanian and Syrian refugee women and increase their labour market participation.

The visiting U.S. officials held discussions with the beneficiaries, who spoke about how they benefited from “Women Do Business,” as well as, their challenges, and possible areas of improvement within the project.

They also discussed project progress and accomplishments with ILO and JRF representatives.

Under the current phase of the project, 193 Jordanian and Syrian refugee women from the governorates of Amman, Irbid, Mafraq, Zarqa, and Karak have gained technical, administrative, entrepreneurial, and financial skills through the successful completion of a training programme on project management. Of which 139 beneficiaries received funding

“Women Do Business” also provides the graduates with financial grants to start small and medium-sized businesses that enable beneficiaries to improve their income and generate employment opportunities for other women.

According to the ILO, 480 women have so far graduated from the training programme, and 360 women have received financial grants over the past three years of the PRM funded program duration.

The ILO Crisis Response Programme and its partners plan to develop and sustain the project by helping grant beneficiaries market their products and boost productivity, contributing to business continuity and success.