Disgrace: I’m Jordanian, Why Can’t My Children be Jordanian?

January 22, 2012 at 6:02 pm · Filed under Amman, Seriously

Over and over again, the same damn issue.

Article 6 (i) of our Constitution stipulates: “There shall be no discrimination between Jordanians as regards to their rights and duties on grounds of race, language or religion”.

As a Jordanian woman, I am equal to a Jordanian man. I MUST be able to give my Jordanian nationality, i.e. my IDENTITY as a Jordanian, to my children. As a Jordanian woman, I am proud of being a Jordanian woman. As a Jordanian woman, I want my children to also be Jordanian.

As a Jordanian woman, I am a productive part of Jordanian society, working equal hours (if not more) than my fellow Jordanian brothers. As a Jordanian woman, I pay my taxes. As a Jordanian woman, I practiced my voting rights in the Jordanian parliament.

I hold no other citizenship. I was born in Jordan. I was educated in Jordan’s universities. I live in Jordan. I am an active part of the Jordanian economy. I am an active part of the Jordanian society. I LOVE Jordan.

So why is it that as a Jordanian woman, I can’t pass on my PROUD Jordanian citizenship to my children? 

It is sexist, it is unjust, it is greedy.

As a Jordanian woman, I DEMAND my right to pass on my Jordanian nationality to my children. 

Related:

As a Jordanian Woman, I am a Second-Class Citizen in Jordan






  • Fdsf

    You are totally right, however, you know this is not discrimination against Jordanian women. This law was made because Palestinian women who have Jordanian passports marry people from the west bank and give them the Jordanian nationality. This will eventually empty Palestinian lands for the favour of the occupying state of Israel and will make Jordan an alternative home country for Palestinians.

    So this is a political issue, sometimes politicians have to compromise in order to face the dangers that are posed by the side effects of some laws.

    In short, You’re right! In any country women should have the right to give nationality to their children, however, the discrimination made against women here is made because of a higher priority political issue, which is the right of the Palestinians to return to their lands.

  • Anonymous

    Yes, I’m aware of that. Of course, you’re a 100% right, it’s very complicated. I still think it’s absurd logic though. A Jordanian man can *still *marry a Palestinian woman, and give his kids his nationality. Then, the rule should be against anyone who is Palestinian, and not Jordanian women in general.

  • http://www.bloomingjasmine.com Yasmine_At

    ‘Foreigner Husband’ like it’s a crime. It should be the same for Jordanian men who marry foreigners, or else they should entitle Jordanian woman to this right.

  • Anonymous

    The revised article 6 (i) of the Jordanian Constitution should stipulate: “There shall be no discrimination between Jordanians as regards to their rights and duties on grounds of race, language, religion, or gender”.

    Of course it’s ridiculous that it even needs to be spelled out in this day and age, but it does.

  • FsdF

    Yes let’s treat Palestinians like dirt and give them no rights in any
    Arab countries because we want to protect their right to return to
    Palestine one day. When is that day? Well, we’re not going to do
    anything about it because Israel are our allies. Palestinian children who
    have no nationality? No identity? Can’t travel anywhere? Can’t own land
    or start businesses or work certain jobs? Let them wait; maybe the Israelis
    will just get bored and leave.

    Why can a Jordanian man give his children nationality but not a Jordanian woman?

  • Anonymous

    As close as the Palestinian issue is to my heart, this post does not aim to discuss that.

  • Anonymous

    It should end, indeed.

  • Anonymous

    As close as the Palestinian issue is to my heart, this post does not aim to discuss that.

  • Anonymous

    Dave, indeed. I had said that myself as well: http://www.andfaraway.net/blog/2011/08/18/as-a-woman-im-a-second-class-citizen-in-jordan/

    So simple, especially now when they’re looking at the constitution.

  • Anonymous

    Agreed! ALL Jordanians who marry foreigners should be treated the same way.

  • Khalidjarrar

    this is a disgrace no less, no civilized nation should allow this kind of mahzalih, i couldnt agree more.

    Beyond the Palestinian issue, what do you think is the reason behind this?

  • Anonymous

    Patriarchal society, unfortunately.

  • Anonymous

    I think that Jordan first needs to fix issues that have to do with discriminating against me as a jordanian citizen before Jordan starts solving issues of discriminating against other people :) like I said though, the issue you mentioned is close to my heart, but thats another post and another debate for a later day :) 7aram ilfalasteeneyeh, zay ka2eno na2es-hom!

  • http://twitter.com/ArabObserver ArabObserver

    Well said Roba.. it is time for more and more women to speak up. It is your right. The political justification is just too absurd! Why do women always have to pay alone for the mess of the nation?! 

  • Anonymous

    It’s definitely political Khalid, but it also definitely have to do with it being a patriarchal society :) Do you think they would have been able to get away with doing the same for Jordanian men? No way. Men are looked at as more worthy additions to society.

  • Anonymous

    Yes, indeed. The issue is that most women aren’t even aware of this outrageous problem!