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Thoraya Ahmed Obaid headshot

Thoraya Ahmed Obaid

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This individual is not a direct affiliate of the Berkley Center. They have contributed to one or more of our events, publications, or projects. Please contact the individual at their home institution.

Thoraya Ahmed Obaid has been board chair of the Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace since January 2011 and a member of Saudi Arabia's Shura Council since 2013. The first Saudi Arabian to head a UN agency, Obaid served as executive director of the United Nations Population Fund from 2001 to 2010. In 2015 she received the United Nations Population Award in the individual laureate category. She previously served as deputy executive secretary for the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) from 1993 to 1998; chief of the Social Development and Population Division, ESCWA, from 1992 to 1993; and social affairs officer, responsible for the advancement of women, from 1975 to 1992. Working with governments to establish programs to empower women has been a central focus of Obaid's work. She has a Ph.D. in English literature and cultural anthropology from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
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