Skip to main content

Jordan UN ambassador: Arab women don't fit single image

Jordan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Dina Kawar, talks to Al-Monitor about being a role model for women in Jordan and fighting for women's issues at a regional level.
Jordanian Ambassador to the United Nations Dina Kawar (R) Speaks with British Ambassador to the U.N. Mark Layall Grant before the Security Council voted in favor of a resolution demanding the Houthi militia's withdrawal from Yemeni government institutions, during a meeting of the Council at the U.N. headquarters in New York, February 15, 2015. The United Nations Security Council on Sunday demanded Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen withdraw from government institutions, called for an end to foreign inte

For Dina Kawar, being the permanent representative of Jordan to the United Nations means turning words into action.

A longtime supporter of women’s rights, Kawar was handpicked by Jordan’s King Abdullah II. She said, “When His Majesty became king, he wanted me [to join the foreign service]. That’s when he said he would like to have more women in the service, so he asked me to put words in practice and that’s how it all happened.”

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.