5 Women in Lebanon’s New Cabinet: Meet Them

Lebanon’s new Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, has finalized his cabinet, and among the 24 appointed ministers are five women taking on key roles in government. For the full list, click here.

Here’s a closer look at these women:

Dr. Rima Karami – Minister of Education

Hailing from Tripoli, Dr. Rima Karami Akkary is a seasoned educator and researcher with extensive experience in educational administration, policy, and leadership. She has served as an Associate Professor and Chairperson at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and leads the Tamam Project, a regional initiative aimed at sustainable school improvement. Her expertise lies in school leadership, professional development, and shaping educational policies across the Arab world.

Dr. Tamara Zein – Minister of Environment

Dr. Tamara El Zein served as the Secretary-General of Lebanon’s National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS-L). She has played a significant role in advancing scientific research, advising the Minister of Education and Higher Education on research. Additionally, she co-chairs the Franco-Lebanese committee for the PHC CEDRE program and is a member of several international scientific organizations, including UNESCO’s National Commission and the International Scientific Council of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF). In 2019, she established the National Observatory for Women in Research, “DAWReK’n,” under the CNRS-L, promoting gender equity in science.

Laura Khazen-Lahoud – Minister of Tourism

A mathematician with a passion for music and the arts, Laura Khazen-Lahoud brings a unique perspective to her role as Minister of Tourism. She was introduced to the world of music and arts at an early age by her mother, Myrna Boustani, the founder and president of the Al Bustan Festival. Khazen-Lahoud has been deeply involved with the festival, motivated by the challenge of renewing this significant cultural event year after year. She believes her mathematical background complements her love for the arts, fostering a sense of precision and creativity in her work.

Hanine al Sayyed – Minister of Social Affairs

Al Sayyed’s extensive career at the World Bank included leading major reform programs, strategic engagements, and policy dialogue across the Middle East, North Africa, East Asia, South Asia, and Europe. Her expertise spans social protection, labor and jobs, education, poverty, gender, and issues related to fragility and conflict. Notably, she led the World Bank’s response to the 2011 Syrian conflict, publishing several books on its impact and managing multi-million dollar operations to support neighboring countries. Since Lebanon’s financial collapse, she has spearheaded the World Bank’s efforts to establish a universal social protection system in the country. Beyond her World Bank career, she has taught at universities in New York City and held positions at Morgan Stanley, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.

Nora Bayrakdarian – Minister of Sports and Youth

Nora Bayrakdarian is a professor of International Relations and heads the International Relations Department at the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the Lebanese University. Bayrakdarian also serves on the Scientific Council of the Doctoral School of Law, Political, Administrative and Economic Sciences. In addition to her work at the Lebanese University, she is a Senior Lecturer of International Relations in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the American University of Beirut. Bayrakdarian is a two-term member of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council of Lebanon, where she also presides over the Commission on Science, Technology and Innovation.

Their contributions will be essential in addressing the country’s pressing challenges and shaping a more progressive future.