Panafrican News Agency

Jordanian gender equality ‘champion’ Sima Sami Bahous to lead UN Women

New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Sima Sami Bahous of Jordan, as the the new head of UN Women, the world body's gender equality and empowerment entity.

She will take over from outgoing Executive Director Phumzile  Mlambo-Ngcuka of South Africa. 

The news came following consultations with Member States and the Executive Board of UN Women. 

A UN statement said Mr. Guterres described Ms. Bahous as “a champion for women and girls”. 

The UN chief said she would also champion gender equality and youth empowerment, as well as being a “keen advocate for quality education, poverty alleviation and inclusive governance”. 

The statement said Ms. Bahous brings to the job more than 35 years of leadership experience at the grassroots, national, regional and international level. 

She has expertise in advancing women’s empowerment and rights, addressing discrimination and violence, and promoting sustainable socio-economic development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN chief said in a statement. 

Most recently, Ms. Bahous served as Jordan’s UN ambassador in New York.   

Prior to that, she was the Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) from 2012 to 2016 and Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Development Sector at the League of Arab States, from 2008 to 2012. 

The new UN Women chief has also served in two ministerial posts in Jordan as President of the Higher Media Council from 2005 to 2008 and as Adviser to King Abdullah II from 2003 to 2005.   

She has also worked for UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, and with a number of UN and civil society organizations, as well as  teaching development and communication studies at different universities in her native Jordan.  

She is fluent in Arabic and English, and proficient in French. 

The UN chief said he was “deeply grateful” to outgoing Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka, for the “commitment and dedicated service” she exhibited as head of UN Women. 

He also extended his appreciation to the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, who will continue to serve as Acting Executive Director until Ms. Bahous is in post. 

-0- PANA MA 14Sept2021