Jordanian appointed UN Women executive director

AMMAN — Sima Sami Bahous was appointed executive director of UN Women by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, following consultations with member states and the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women).اضافة اعلان

Bahous, who has 35 years of experience, succeeds Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. According to the UN official website, Sima Sami Bahous is a champion for women and girls, gender equality, and youth empowerment, as well as a keen advocate for quality education, poverty alleviation, and inclusive governance. 

According to the UN, Bahous holds a PhD in mass communication and development from Indiana University, a master in literature and drama from Essex University, and a bachelor in English literature from Jordan University. 

Bahous served as a leader on a national, regional, and international level.

In addition, she has been serving as Jordan’s permanent representative to the UN in New York.

Before her work at UN Women, Bahous worked at the UNDP, as the assistant secretary general and the head of social development at the Arab League, and held two ministerial posts in Jordan as president of the Higher media council.

She also served as advisor to His Majesty King Abdullah from 2003–2005, and as media advisor and director of Communication at the Royal Court from 2001–2003.

Bahous was also acting executive director of the King Hussein Foundation and executive director of the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation.

Bahous previously worked with UNICEF and several UN and civil society organizations, and taught development and communication studies at various Jordanian universities. 

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