Sabah Shaker Al-Momani: A model of female leadership in the local community

From the rural community of Ajloun, Sabah Shaker Al-Momani stands out as a remarkable example of female leadership. She has successfully combined community empowerment with institutional work, leading development initiatives with a direct impact on the local community. Since her beginnings in 1997 as Vice President of the Abein Women’s Charitable Society, Sabah has embarked on a long journey of work guided by a clear vision aimed at supporting rural women and improving the social and economic conditions of families in her region.

During her years at the association, Sabah contributed to developing income-generating programs for women and implementing impactful initiatives that enhanced their economic participation. She also managed community projects aimed at promoting self-reliance and empowering women and youth. Her experience and determination led to her appointment as president of the association in 2025, where she focused on building new partnerships and developing sustainable projects that address community needs.

Her institutional presence extended to the academic sector through her work since 2011 in the Public Relations Department at Ajloun National University, where she contributed to developing the institutional communication system and enhancing communication with the local community, which gave her extensive experience in management, coordination, and planning, which are the basics of leadership in development work.

In 2022, Sabah strengthened her presence in the public sphere by running for municipal elections in Al-Junaid, winning a seat on the municipal council with the highest percentage of votes among the candidates. This victory affirmed the community’s confidence in her ability to represent them and highlighted the role of women as key players in local affairs and decision-making.

The turning point in her career came when she was chosen as deputy mayor of Al-Junaid, becoming the first woman in Jordan’s history to hold this position. This achievement was not merely a symbolic step, but a strategic milestone that paved the way for increased female representation in municipal councils, raised the level of female representation in leadership positions, and contributed to integrating new perspectives into planning for services, infrastructure, and local development.

Sabah Shaker Al-Momani continues her journey today with unwavering dedication, moving between her roles in education, municipal work, and charitable organizations, firmly believing that change is not created from offices but from the field. Her work is based on a participatory approach that integrates the local community into decision-making and empowers individuals, especially women and youth, to be genuine partners in development.

Sabah summarizes her vision by saying: “Working for the community is not a position, but a moral responsibility… and dedication to work is what makes a real impact.”

The story of Sabah Shaker Al-Momani is not just a narrative of a successful career, but a model of strategic female leadership that was able to build an integrated experience that combines community work, economic empowerment, and institutional success, and consolidates the role of women as a key partner in making local development.