Jordan’s Bahous appointed as executive director of UN Women 

AMMAN — 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), on Monday announced the appointment of Sima Sami Bahous of Jordan as executive director of UN Women. 

She succeeds Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to whom the secretary general is “deeply grateful for her commitment and dedicated service in leading UN-Women”, read a UN statement.

The secretary general also extended his appreciation to the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, who will continue to serve as acting executive director until Bahous assumes this position.

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, Bahous brings to the position over 35 years of leadership experience at the grassroots, national, regional and international levels. 

She also carries expertise in advancing women empowerment and rights, addressing discrimination and violence, and promoting sustainable socioeconomic development towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Bahous most recently served as permanent representative of Jordan to the United Nations in New York.  Prior to this position, she served as assistant administrator and director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States at the United Nations Development Programme 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.  

She has also served in two ministerial posts in Jordan as president of the Higher Media Council from 2005 to 2008 and as Adviser to His Majesty King Abdullah from 2003 to 2005. 

She was media adviser and director of Communication for the Royal Hashemite Court from 2001 to 2003, acting executive director for the King Hussein Foundation from 2000 to 2001 and executive director of the Noor Al Hussein Foundation from 1998 to 2001.  

She also worked for UNICEF and with a number of United Nations and civil society organisations, and taught development and communication studies at different universities in Jordan.    

Bahous holds a PhD in Mass Communication and Development from Indiana University, the US, a Master of Arts in Literature and Drama from Essex University, the UK, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Jordan University.  She is fluent in Arabic and English, and proficient in French.