This paper aims to analyze the underlying reasons that hinder the advancement of economic empowerment of Jordanian woman. The paper argues that despite the rigorous governmental effort to support the economic advancement of woman, through equal education opportunities and encouraging relatively legal environment, the economic advancement of woman remains humble and below aspired levels. It is the controversy of this paper that this is mainly due to the existence of gender based barriers.

Woman's work is generally synonymous with financially remunerated work-that is, work in the formal sector-thus excluding from consideration the bulk of woman involved in the informal sector or not working outside the home. Furthermore, work in the agricultural sector is frequently regarded as an extension of a woman reproductive role. As a result, the economic contribution made by woman is largely undervalued.

Woman's economic activity rates continue to be persistently lower than men's (the participation rate for woman aged 15 years and above lagged behind the rate for man by 69.9% in 1980, narrowed to 49.8% in 2009) and they remain unemployed for a longer period of time on average than their male counterparts (The unemployment rate for woman aged 15 years and over exceeded the rate for man by 20.3% in 1990, declined to 13.8% in 2009).

The purpose of this paper is three fold: First, to provide preliminary review of the availability of statistical information with respect to issues that were the focus of major UN Conferences. Second, the need to illustrate the importance of statistics in understanding social dimensions with respect to key issues, such as “towards the goal of equal opportunity for woman and men”; and third, to make better use of available statistics in order to provide better understanding of the realities of woman within the Jordanian Society.

Despite the Jordanian rigorous governmental effort to support the economic advancement of woman, through equal education opportunities and encouraging relatively legal environment, the economic advancement of woman remains humble and below aspired levels; Analyze the underlying reasons that hinder the advancement of economic empowerment of Jordanian woman; Woman's economic activity rates continue to be persistently lower than men's; Economic contribution made by woman is largely undervalued

Biography: Mrs. Manal George Sweidan: Head of Gender Statistics Division at the Department of Statistics DOS –Amman/Jordan.

She has an experience of 13 years at the Department of Statistics where she acquired intensive understanding of gender research, statistics and various assessment tools through empirical field experience as well as a variety of national and international training workshops and conferences. She has translated this experience through the establishment of the Gender Statistics Division at DOS. Her work and training experience has equipped her with a sound and in-depth knowledge about the challenges of gender equality in Jordan and confirmed to her the need to actively advocate for promoting women's rights.

From 2008 to 2009, She was involved in many organizations in which she executed consultancy missions including the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia ESCWA in Lebanon, Beirut and the International Rescue Committee IRC- Jordan.