The Jordanian National Commission for Women was entrusted to carry out different roles and responsibilities which can be grouped into five main areas.

First: Define general policies related to women in all areas, and participate in formulating national plans and strategies aimed at fostering development, and the advancement of women in all related sectors: JNCW began to define general policies related to women in all areas. It must be noted that without the specialization and authorization needed was not previously possible for any other organization or institution to undertake this task and to increase women’s political participation, JNCW recommend affirmative policies in this regard, this was reflected by the initiative of HRH Princess Basma bint Talal, JNCW chairperson, in advocating with the government to support women’s participation in local government by appointing women to local councils.
Following the 1997 parliamentary elections JNCW in coordination with several effective women’s organizations actively campaigned for the enactment of a quota system for women in parliament.

In addition, JNCW played an active role in training female candidates in preparation for the 2003 parliamentary elections. In the area of National Development planning and sectoral development, JNCW played an important role in the Jordanian 1999-2003 Economic and Social Development Plan in gender mainstreaming the plan. This process paved the way for JNCW to push for other gender mainstreaming initiatives at the national level. JNCW and the Civil Service Bureau started working together on three studies to form the basis for a plan of action for gender mainstreaming. In this multi phased process JNCW and the Bureau focused on analyzing the situation of human resources at the Bureau including male and female representation and participation at different working levels, specifically in decision making, as well as the level of benefit from available resources like awards, scholarships … etc. that was followed by analysis of the “dominant organizational culture” at the bureau, third aspect examined legislation, regulations and internal directives that govern the conduct of work in the civil service system, and pinpointed articles that discriminate against women.

Second: Strengthen contacts and exchange information and expertise, as well as carry out activities related to women’s issues and the improvement of women’s status at national, regional and international levels. This includes delegating JNCW the responsibility of representing the Kingdom in bodies, conferences and meetings related to women’s affairs at the various levels.

Third: Review and study existing legislation and any draft laws and other by-laws related to women to ensure that they do not discriminate against women as well as propose laws and by laws in all areas that advance women, with a continuous follow up on implementation of legislation.

Within this JNCW was able to lobby to amend eight laws and one regulation, in which women have achieved some important rights in the economic domain and social security domain as well as the Personal Status Law and the Penal Law.

Fourth: Develop a national strategy for women, update and monitor its implementation.
In order to reflect the political, economic, social and cultural changes that continuously impact the status of women within society, upon its establishment the commission set about developing the necessary framework to incorporate women’s issues on an institutional basis. To this end JNCW worked with all relevant officials and non-governmental entities to prepare a national strategy that represented general and organizational framework for women’s issues, as well as to define the main priorities and interventions required for advancing the status of women and empowering them economically, socially and politically.

Fifth: Form a network between JNCW, ministries and public institutions in order to carry out programmes that meet its objectives, the commission is also authorized to form a coordinating committee of non-governmental women’s organizations. The role, objectives and methods of work of the NGO coordinating Committee are defined by regulations drawn up by the commission.  JNCW established:
1- The NGO Coordinating committee: as an executive arm for JNCW, through which NGOs active in the women’s domain coordinate their efforts to set their priorities at the national level.
2- Governmental focal points: representatives of various public institutions serve as focal points between JNCW and the respective public organizations.
3- Academic and professional forum.
4- Legal committee which revises laws and by-laws and legislation to make sure they are not discriminating against women.

Those committees are considered to be the Mechanism in which JNCW follows up the implementation of its mandate.