Women's rights activists call for reversing decision on nursery closures

Jordan

Published: 2020-10-21 11:09

Last Updated: 2024-03-24 17:42


Women's rights activists call for reversing decision on nursery closures
Women's rights activists call for reversing decision on nursery closures

A number of nursery owners protested in front of the Ministry of Social Development Wednesday against the decision to shut nurseries down Saturday through the end of the year. The decision was made in cooperation with the National Committee for Epidemics and the Crisis Management Cell after a severe uptick of COVID-19 cases were recorded among children and nursery staff members.

Demonstrators called for reversing the decision, which they described as 'unfair' for nursery owners and working mothers.

The secretary general of the National Committee for Women’s Affairs Salma Al-Nim seemed to agree, tweeting "Today's decision has brought us back to square one; the decision to close nurseries and kindergartens will negatively affect families, children and all working mothers and mothers negatively, and it will push women out of the labor market."

Sadaqa, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the lives of working mothers in Jordan, called for a defense law that protects nursery owners' rights and benefits. 

Nurseries should be considered a vital sector they said, calling for allowing nurseries to resume working normally in accordance with health and safety to enable employees to provide for their families.

The time has come for women's careers to be considered a vital component of the country's policies, and programs and laws need to be developed to protect their rights, Sadaqa said.

The Minister of Social Development Ayman Al-Mufleh said that the ministry understands the concerns of working mothers, especially those working in the private sector, and that the ministry will work with the Ministry of Labor and other relevant authorities to develop a mechanism that benefits these mothers.

Mufleh said the decision comes as some parents avoided testing their children and sent them sick to nurseries. He stressed that legal action would be taken against nurseries that violate the decision.

The decision to reopen nurseries will depend on the development of the COVID-19 situation in the Kingdom.