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Arjie Al Amad

Middle East and North Africa Economic Empowerment
Global Leadership Awards

Arije Al Amad is transforming women’s economic development in Jordan. Her work began in rural Jordan, where parched farmland often paralyzes the livelihood of small farmers. 

Arije provided agricultural education and training to Jordanian women in these communities. It was during her time at the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) that she witnessed the transformative potential of microcredit loans. 

When women were given small loans, the benefits rippled across Jordan. Arije was inspired to join the Microfund for Women, an institution run by women and serving women. The organization extends credit to over 8,000 women, from mushroom farmers to mosaic artists. These simple ideas are helping families pay debts, send children to universities and grow the country’s economy.