SCALE AND IMPACTS OF LIVELIHOODS DEVELOPMENT ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN THE SOLID WASTE SECTOR OF JORDAN

The present study outlines a cohesive compilation of analysis of the involvement of women in decision-making and leadership in the solid waste sector in Jordan. The socio-economic challenges have been catalyzed by the influx of Syrian refugees into the host communities and camps in Jordan. Hence, deterioration of municipal solid waste services have centered on and proposed that women engagement in the Solid Waste (SW) sector to provide opportunities that aim to improve livelihoods by producing an avenue for added income generation through the recycling and sorting scheme; as well as the cost revenue implications for the municipalities. Since 2015, projects added prospects for continued engagement of women and have drastically increased their involvement by filling management positions in the development and operation of municipal SW Transfer Stations (TSs), including heading the design and operation of the TS, and the recycling project. While 54 employment opportunities were created within North Shouneh SW pilot project; 37,794 women jobs of recycling and composting were made available by the cash for work initiative throughout 2016-2017, as well as, 60 women were employed in Zaatari camp. Moreover, when CBOs are directly involved, there has been more opportunity to engage women in employment in the solid waste sector.