Lina Al-Khatib

A Jordanian feminist and political analyst who advanced women's participation in Middle Eastern governance and peacebuilding.

Lina Al-Khatib (born 1969) is a trailblazing Jordanian scholar and activist whose work bridges gender equality with political reform in the Arab world. As director of the Carnegie Middle East Center (2008–2018), she spearheaded research on women's political representation and inclusive governance. Her 2011 report 《Women and the Arab Spring》 highlighted how gender dynamics influenced regional uprisings.

Al-Khatib co-founded the Women's Democracy Network in 2000, a transnational initiative linking female leaders across North Africa and the Middle East. She also advised UN agencies on post-conflict reconstruction, emphasizing women's roles in peace negotiations. Her book 《Arab Women and the Arab Spring》 (2013) remains a key text in postcolonial studies.

Her advocacy for Jordan's 2016 electoral reforms—which increased women's parliamentary seats—showcased her pragmatic approach to incremental change. Al-Khatib's TED Talk 《Why Women Must Lead the Arab Spring》 (2012) reached global audiences, cementing her reputation as a visionary voice for gender equity.

Currently a professor at the American University of Beirut, she continues to mentor young activists through platforms like the Aspen Institute. Her work exemplifies how intellectual leadership can drive systemic change in patriarchal societies.