Samar Tarawneh: Leadership and Visions in Empowering Arab Women Politically

In an interview with Samar Tarawneh, President of the Arab Network for Women in Elections, we explore the challenges and opportunities facing women's political empowerment in the Arab region.  Amid regional and international efforts to enhance women's participation in political life, the Network plays a crucial role in supporting electoral administrations and empowering women to engage safely and fairly in the electoral process.  We discuss effective mechanisms to strengthen women's political roles and explore avenues of cooperation with key stakeholders, including organizations like UN Women, to ensure sustainable female participation in the democratic process.

UN Women: Could you share a bit about yourself and your career journey? What key milestones have shaped your passion for advancing women's political participation?

I am Samar Mohammed Tarawneh. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Translation in 2002 and later pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Electoral Policies from the University of Jordan in 2023. I am a mother of six children, and I see the challenges faced by women as a source of inspiration to advocate for their political involvement. I believe their presence is crucial, as it significantly influences policy decisions and the solutions proposed, paving a better path for my four daughters and all women.

My professional journey began at the National Center for Human Rights, where I gained deep insight into the barriers women face. Later, I joined the Independent Election Commission at its inception in 2013 and assumed leadership roles, most notably managing the Women’s Empowerment Unit since 2022. These experiences have not just been jobs but opportunities to transform my belief in the necessity of empowering women politically into actionable strategies that create a tangible impact beyond mere slogans.

UN Women: Could you share insights into your professional experience in advancing women's political participation? How has this journey led you to your role as Director of the Arab Network for Women in Elections?

My career began at the National Center for Human Rights in Jordan (2004–2012), where I contributed to drafting national, regional, and international human rights reports. This experience gave me a strong foundation in understanding human rights realities and the challenges of women's empowerment in our societies.

In 2013, I transitioned to the Independent Election Commission (IEC) in Jordan, a pivotal moment in my professional journey. There, I actively participated in and observed all electoral processes, holding several leadership roles, including Head of Training and Capacity-Building and Head of Information Management and Documentation.

My practical experience in empowering women politically took a significant leap in 2022 when I assumed the position of Director of the Women’s Empowerment Unit at the IEC. This unit was established to assess and support women's active participation in elections and politics within institutional frameworks. During my tenure, we launched several notable initiatives, such as the Reference Framework for Women’s Empowerment in Elections (Women’s Empowerment Strategic Plan) and the National Mechanism for Monitoring Electoral Violence Against Women. We also established strategic partnerships with national institutions focused on women’s issues, ensuring unified efforts and efficient resource utilization. For instance, we developed a joint action plan with the National Committee for Women’s Affairs and signed an agreement with UN Women’s Office in Jordan. These initiatives emphasized positive measures to enhance women's participation in elections and the electoral process, aligning with the unit’s motto: "Empowerment and Equal Opportunities."

At the regional level, I contributed to drafting the statute of the Arab Organization for Electoral Management Bodies in 2015 and participated in numerous regional and international events. This hands-on and strategic experience paved the way for me to lead the Arab Network for Women in Elections in 2023, succeeding my colleague Suhair Abdeen from Palestine. In this capacity, we work to enhance the role of electoral management bodies in empowering women and developing a comprehensive vision that ensures equal opportunities and supports women in political life and decision-making.

UN Women: How did your participation in the regional training on ending violence against women in elections, organized by UN Women, shape your vision for preventing violence against women in public life and the electoral process?

Attending the regional training organized by the Arab Network for Women in Elections in collaboration with UN Women in 2023 was a pivotal experience. Representing the Independent Election Commission of Jordan, this training deepened my understanding of the role of electoral management bodies in addressing and preventing violence against women in public life, particularly in elections.

The training highlighted that electoral violence against women is not merely an isolated or incidental issue but a form of systematic political violence designed to exclude women from active political participation. It reinforced my belief in the critical role of electoral management bodies in addressing this issue through preventative measures during all stages of the electoral process. This includes establishing clear mechanisms for reporting and monitoring cases of violence, receiving complaints, and coordinating with relevant authorities for effective follow-up.

As a direct result of this training, the IEC in Jordan adopted a comprehensive approach to combating electoral violence against women. With support from UN Women Jordan and under the guidance of the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the IEC, we transformed the training’s insights into practical initiatives and programs aimed at fostering a safe and inclusive electoral environment.

Key Practical Applications:

1. Unified Framework and National Definition Development:
   The IEC launched a national initiative to establish a unified definition of electoral violence against women, using a participatory methodology that engaged local and international experts. This effort resulted in a clear, standardized definition aligned with national laws and international commitments, enhancing awareness of the issue and distinguishing it from other forms of violence.

1. Effective Monitoring and Follow-Up Mechanisms:
   The IEC developed a system for receiving complaints related to electoral violence through various channels, including electronic complaints, hotlines, and collaboration with civil society organizations. Legal experts were assigned within electoral committees to ensure accurate follow-up and prompt investigation. Additionally, platforms like E-Monitor+ and the Election Campaign Monitoring Platform were launched, incorporating dedicated sections for reporting electoral violence against women. These platforms utilize advanced technology to track violations in real time and respond swiftly to minimize their impact.
2. Awareness and Capacity Building: The IEC conducted workshops for its staff and electoral committees to strengthen their ability to identify, address, and manage cases of electoral violence effectively.

Training sessions were also organized for public prosecutors, campaign officials, and law enforcement officers. The IEC incorporated the definition of electoral violence into all its awareness activities, further emphasizing the importance of a safe electoral environment.

Through robust leadership support and collaboration with national institutions, these initiatives have become a model for protecting women’s rights during the electoral process. By raising public awareness about the risks of electoral violence, the IEC has reinforced trust in the electoral system and encouraged women to engage actively in political life, whether as voters, candidates, or election workers.

UN Women: How can this training be adapted and implemented in Arab countries? What are the key challenges and successes that may arise?

Adapting and implementing this training in Arab countries requires careful consideration of the cultural, social, and political diversity within the region. This can be achieved by establishing partnerships with relevant national entities and leveraging local expertise to ensure alignment with national laws and cultural sensitivities. Building sustainable local capacities through "train-the-trainer" models and knowledge dissemination is a critical step. Moreover, technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing accessibility and expanding the reach of such training programs.

The key challenges include the lack of clear legislation recognizing electoral violence against women, cultural norms that hinder women's political participation, and insufficient financial and technical resources. Political conflicts and security instability in some countries also negatively impact the implementation of these programs. Additionally, the deterioration of trust in human rights principles due to widespread violations may pose a barrier to gaining societal support for these efforts.

Despite these challenges, tangible successes can be achieved, such as raising community awareness about the risks of electoral violence against women, fostering regional cooperation to exchange expertise, and empowering electoral institutions to ensure a safe environment that encourages women’s political participation. These efforts can strengthen trust in human rights and highlight women’s roles as active contributors to political life.

UN Women: How do these training efforts contribute to enhancing women’s political participation at the national level?

Training programs designed to address electoral violence against women play a significant role in enhancing women’s political participation by creating a safe and inclusive electoral environment. They equip participants with the skills to monitor, document, and effectively address cases of electoral violence, thereby protecting women as candidates and voters. They also help build the capacity of electoral bodies and civil society organizations to implement preventive and corrective measures, minimizing discriminatory practices.

Additionally, these training efforts foster regional cooperation and knowledge exchange, enabling the adoption of best practices from successful international experiences and adapting them to local contexts. They raise public awareness about the importance of protecting women from electoral violence and its impact on the integrity of democratic processes.

By implementing the outcomes of these training programs, countries are better positioned to support women’s political participation and ensure equal opportunities. This reinforces democratic culture, enhances trust in electoral systems, and provides a strategic model for addressing electoral violence methodically. It ultimately strengthens women’s participation and demonstrates a country’s commitment to equality and human rights within a sustainable electoral framework.

UN Women: The Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) Charter for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, formulated at the regional level and now being promoted nationally, represents a significant step. Can you share your vision for its implementation in Arab countries and its impact on promoting gender equality in electoral processes?

The EMBs Charter for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment is guided by a global study on Electoral Management Bodies conducted by UNDP and UN Women, titled “Inclusive Electoral Processes.” The study documents best practices and actions taken by EMBs worldwide to increase women’s participation in elections.

As the Arab Network for Women in Elections serves as the executive arm of the Arab Organization for Electoral Management Bodies, it is uniquely positioned to promote women’s political participation and integration within electoral management bodies. The network’s structure, which includes civil society organizations and international and regional partner institutions, enables it to effectively pursue its objectives.

In the coming period, the network will focus on completing training programs related to strategic planning and capacity building. These efforts will emphasize integrating women’s empowerment across all phases of the electoral cycle through comprehensive institutional policies to achieve tangible and sustainable results. The charter will serve as a key reference document to support sustainable planning and implementation, promoting gender equality in electoral processes.

The adoption and application of the charter are expected to significantly enhance women’s representation in elections and increase their opportunities to hold leadership positions within electoral management bodies. This will foster more inclusive elections and strengthen the institutional frameworks needed to achieve gender equality in political and electoral processes.

Future Vision of the Arab Network for Women in Elections

UN Women: Now that you lead the Arab Network for Women in Elections, what is your vision for establishing mechanisms to prevent violence against women in elections in Arab countries? What strategies or programs will you prioritize to replicate and expand the success of Jordan's initiative at the regional level?

Our vision is to strengthen regional efforts to combat electoral violence against women by unifying regional frameworks and establishing a standardized definition for this type of violence, which can serve as a reference for member states within the network. To achieve this goal, we are focused on implementing regional programs to build the capacity of local trainers and developing a regional digital platform that provides training resources and tools for monitoring violations in collaboration with national and regional entities.

In this context, collaboration with international organizations plays a pivotal role in providing the technical and financial support necessary to achieve our objectives. Through strategic partnerships with these organizations, we can access international expertise and enhance funding for implementing training programs and regional awareness campaigns such as the "Her Participation is Our Future" campaign, implemented in four Arab countries: Jordan, Tunisia, Libya, and Palestine, which aims to promote women’s participation in elections. Such collaboration ensures the sustainability of regional efforts and contributes to creating a safer and more inclusive electoral environment for women.

UN Women: How can regional bodies like the Arab Network for Women in Elections effectively collaborate with electoral management bodies and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable change regarding women’s political participation?

The Arab Network for Women in Elections, as the sole regional platform bringing together electoral management bodies, civil society organizations, and individual expertise, plays a central role in enhancing women’s political participation in all capacities. Networking is essential to strengthen regional and national collaboration between electoral management bodies and relevant organizations, enabling the unification of efforts and exchange of experiences among member states and international partners.

The network works on developing joint strategies and practical programs that enhance integration among stakeholders to ensure sustainable change. It also promotes the establishment of continuous coordination mechanisms that support the implementation of training programs, awareness campaigns, and the monitoring of violence against women in elections. These efforts reflect a collective commitment to promoting equality and empowering women in the Arab electoral landscape.

Challenges and Opportunities

UN Women: What are the biggest challenges you anticipate in expanding mechanisms to prevent violence against women in elections across the region? How do you plan to address them?

Deep-rooted biases against women in public and political life continue to be one of the biggest obstacles to expanding mechanisms to prevent violence against women in elections at local, regional, and international levels. These biases negatively affect women's effective participation, particularly in the Arab region, where political participation by women remains limited despite progress made in some countries.

Current political and security conditions, including crises and conflicts, have added further challenges. One of the most significant is the shift in priorities towards other rights, leading to the marginalization of women's issues and sometimes associating them with external agendas.

As the Chairwoman of Arab Network for Women in Elections (ANWE), I emphasize the importance of supporting women's political participation at all levels, whether as voters, candidates, or active participants in the electoral process. We have launched initiatives such as the regional awareness campaigns: "Her Participation, Our Future," to enhance the role of women by building the capacity of electoral administrations and implementing national and regional campaigns to combat electoral violence.

We believe that efforts should focus on strengthening partnerships and cooperation with regional and international organizations to provide technical and financial support, as well as developing innovative tools to facilitate women's political participation. Collective efforts to ensure equal opportunities and enhance women's participation contribute to creating a more inclusive and just electoral operations and support women in reaching decision-making positions.

UN Women: What role can international organizations, such as UN Women, play in supporting the mission of the Arab Network for Women in Elections and advancing women's political participation in the region?

International organizations like UN Women play a vital role in supporting the Arab Network for Women in Elections by providing sustainable technical and resource support to enhance the capacities of electoral management bodies, which are primarily responsible for managing electoral processes. These efforts focus on guiding electoral management bodies to adapt policies and procedures that promote women’s participation in elections, tailored to the needs and specificities of Arab countries.

One of the primary roles of these organizations is to ensure the continuity of specialized training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, as well as to provide best practices that guarantee meaningful representation for women at the regional level. Additionally, they enhance the collaborative role of electoral management bodies with political parties, media, and civil society organizations, aiming to build an inclusive electoral environment that ensures gender equality. Collective action, supported by real-world experiences and practical solutions, is more effective in achieving desired change, as opposed to individual efforts, which are insufficient for sustainable results.

Furthermore, international organizations should work to strengthen the Arab Network for Women in Elections, as it is the only platform that unites electoral management bodies with civil society organizations and individual expertise. The network has achieved significant practical milestones, such as enhancing the capacity of electoral management bodies to promote women’s roles throughout the electoral cycle and conducting national and regional campaigns to combat electoral violence. These efforts contribute to ensuring a safe and secure environment for women’s participation in elections.

Personal and Practical Reflections

UN Women: How has this journey, from participating in training to leading the Arab Network for Women in Elections, impacted your personal and professional life?

This journey has been an immense source of inspiration on both personal and professional levels. It has deepened my understanding of the importance of women’s political participation and how to effectively promote this role in practice. I feel a profound sense of pride in contributing to building a more just society.

More importantly, I am convinced that women’s effective participation in political life must go beyond numbers and include meaningful involvement that enables women to serve as role models capable of influencing and driving real change. Leading the Arab Network for Women in Elections has broadened my perspective on regional challenges and provided the opportunity to connect with numerous female leaders and international organizations. This has enriched my personal and professional experience, allowing me to learn from others, particularly in the areas of women’s empowerment and achieving equality in electoral policies, while also developing my leadership skills.

UN Women: What message would you like to convey to women in the Arab region who aspire to participate in political processes?

My message to women in the Arab region is that they should feel empowered and capable of making a difference in their communities through political participation. Nothing is more critical than empowering women in leadership and decision-making roles. Every step toward achieving equality is a step toward building a better future for us all. Do not let any obstacle or discrimination stand in your way; true strength lies in unity and collective action to drive change. Every woman must believe in her ability to create change and continue striving for her goals, no matter the challenges.