In the face of adversity, there are women who dedicate their lives to creating positive change. The UNDP Women in Crisis Settings series showcases the incredible career journeys of six resilient women who work in some of the most challenging environments on the planet. These stories of determination and perseverance highlight the extraordinary resilience required to navigate crises while also showcasing the profound impact their work has on communities in need. From conflict zones to disaster-stricken areas, these women not only endure but thrive, adapting swiftly and leading with unwavering commitment.
Balancing Family and Career in Crisis Settings
Let me start this story by emphasizing that next to my title as UNDP’s Resident Representative in Yemen, I am also a proud mother of two young men. As a single mother for most of my life, I have learned to balance motherhood with having a successful career. Juggling both is possible, and I am living testimony to this. Growing up during Lebanon’s civil war from 1975 to 1990, my exposure to conflict began long before working at a UNDP office in crisis scenarios. This upbringing deeply influenced who I am today. The resilience, creativity, and perseverance that you must adopt in such conditions are essential for crisis work. Regularly confronting uncertainty, I had to adapt quickly and think creatively from an early age.
Achieving meaningful impact in crisis settings has always been a red thread in my career path, even before I joined the United Nations. I studied rural development at the American University of Beirut, where I finished my Master’s Degree, and completed my postgraduate studies at the University of London with a focus on the Management of Social Change. I had also worked at various non-governmental organizations before I eventually joined the UNDP Country Office in Lebanon in 1997 as a Program Officer. This was a period of relative stability in Lebanon, as the country was still recovering from its recent civil war, and I hoped I could contribute to building a better future for my country. By 2002, I had risen to the level of Assistant Resident Representative, focusing on crisis prevention and recovery in UNDP Lebanon. During this period, Lebanon experienced several conflicts, and my work was focused on responding and supporting the country to recover from these crises.
From Lebanon to Yemen: A Career Shaped by Conflict and Crisis
In 2005, I joined the UNDP Sub-Regional Facility for the Arab States, a precursor to the UNDP’s Regional Hub in Amman, Jordan, focusing on local development linked to crisis prevention and recovery. This role gave me the opportunity to work on recovery, development, and crisis prevention initiatives in 18 Arab countries and deepened my passion for the region. I then moved to Syria as the Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP Syria.
Innovative Agile Approaches to Sustainable Development in Yemen
As a United Nations agency with a broad mandate, UNDP is uniquely positioned to support Yemen’s transition from humanitarian aid to recovery, development, and peace. The Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project (FSRRP) is managed in partnership with the World Bank’s International Development Association and implemented with local organizations. The project aims at improving household food security and building resilience by increasing food availability and accessibility.
Overcoming Gender Bias in Leadership Roles
A few days ago, I was in a meeting with the heads of various agencies and realized I was the only woman at the table. I even joked about it, saying, “Have you noticed that I’m the only woman here?” Sometimes, it feels like we are invisible. For example, during previous field visits, when I lead delegations, sometimes local officials address male colleagues instead of me. For me, these situations resemble a challenge to overcome, where patience is my best strategy. After 28 years, I feel blessed to have contributed to changing lives in my troubled region.