Rima Al-Shaer is an inspiring role model for rural women in Jerash.

Rima Al-Shaer emerges from the hills of rural Jerash as an inspiring example of a rural woman who forged a new path for her life through perseverance, hard work, and self-development. Her beginnings offered few opportunities, but she possessed an inner vision that believed learning and effort were the path to self-empowerment and community service. After completing her secondary education, she pursued a diploma in business administration, then married and dedicated herself to raising her six children for over ten years, all the while maintaining her dream of advancement despite life’s demands.

The first turning point came when she joined the Al-Junaid Municipality as a data entry clerk, marking the beginning of a new phase in her professional development. Over time, she was promoted to expenses accountant and then to professional licenses officer, which boosted the confidence of institutions in her abilities. Despite the responsibilities of work and family, Rima returned to her education, earning a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in business administration from Ajloun National University, becoming an example of the ability of rural women to balance education, work, and family life.

The establishment of the Women’s Empowerment Unit in Al-Junaid Municipality marked a pivotal moment in her career. The unit was founded with direct support from  Intermediaries of Change Center for Sustainable Development as part of the “More Resilient Rural Women in Poverty Pockets – Jerash” project, which aimed to strengthen the role of municipalities in empowering rural women. Through this collaboration, Rima received specialized training programs that contributed to developing her leadership and community skills, including activity planning, initiative management, community outreach, and building partnerships with supporting organizations.

This investment helped build her capacity to transform the Women’s Empowerment Unit into a supportive entity for women in the local community. Rima led numerous initiatives that encouraged women to launch small income-generating projects, providing them with guidance and support to improve their families’ economic situations. She also contributed to the implementation of awareness and social programs aimed at developing the skills of women and youth in various villages.

Alongside her municipal work, Rima maintained her institutional presence through her academic role at Jerash University as a full-time lecturer in her field of specialization, sharing her practical experience with students and building a new generation that believes in the importance of knowledge and work. She also participates in the “Made in Jerash” project, which aims to support local products. Two of her homemade products were selected for the project, reflecting her ongoing success in integrating economic empowerment with community engagement.

Today, Rima Al Shaer is one of the shining examples in Jerash, and a success story that confirms that rural women are capable of achieving change when they have the opportunity and support, and that development partnerships—such as her partnership with the Center for Change Agents—can be a starting point for a sustainable leadership path that benefits the entire community.