Jordan: Women’s Leadership, Empowerment, and Gender Norms in the Garment Industry

Every year, billions of dollars’ worth of garments enter clothing stores worldwide, spanning from Latvia to the United States, all with one common feature: a “Made in Jordan” tag. The Jordanian garment sector is responsible for 70 percent of the nation’s total exports, valuing at $2 billion. The industry employs about 75,000 workers, of which 80 percent are women. Yet, Jordanian men and women make up only 25 percent of the garment sector. This reality is reflected in the overall Jordanian economy, as less than 14 percent of women and only 40 percent of youth participate in the labor force.  As consultants for Better Work Jordan, the Capstone team examined what barriers affect Jordanian women’s ability to enter the garment sector and to attain upward mobility. The team conducted 15 focus groups discussions with migrant and Jordanian garment workers, 7 in-depth interviews with supervisors and managers, and several key informant interviews with governmental and civil society organizations. Additionally, they conducted data analysis of responses from migrant and Jordanian factory employees at all levels, using data collected by Better Work Jordan. The report identified gaps across four key phases of employment: i) Hiring, ii) Retention, iii) Promotions, and iv) Exit. Finally, the report offered seven recommendations that Better Work Jordan and local stakeholders can implement to sustainably expand Jordanian women’s participation in the garment labor force and further their economic empowerment through upward mobility.