Dr Lina AbiRafeh is an inspirational feminist advocate. Experienced in a range of issues effecting women, from gender-based violence, to equal working rights, Lina is internationally renowned for her transformational impact on female empowerment. As the Executive Director of the Arab Institute for Women, Lina is knowledgeable across all facets of equality, including politics, aid and education. An invaluable asset to each audience she engages, as a speaker Lina supports women in various industries and corporate clients in promoting diverse workforces.
Since 2015, Lina has acted as the Executive Director of the Arab Institute for Women at the Lebanese American University. Through this role she has focused on female empowerment, utilising education, research, and development programmes to improve gender equality on a national and international level. Publishing her expert insight into such a prevalent issue, Lina is author of ‘Gender and International Aid in Afghanistan: The Politics and Effects of Intervention’. The book explores her research undertaken whilst studying at the London School of Economics.
Backed my more than 20 years in her field, Lina gained her experience at leading NGOs including the United Nations. Through various roles at the UN, Lina has worked in several countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti and Nepal, on humanitarian projects, often in relation to conflict and post-conflict gender inequality. Since 2009 Lina has been the Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies Specialist for the United Nations, and such experiences have allowed her to transfer her skillset into projects like She Decides, where she is an ambassador for abortion rights across the world.
A respected authority on women’s rights and female empowerment on an international level, Lina has given numerous talks, including a TEDx on ‘Women’s Safety in a Violent World’. For her undeniable impact in making progressive change, Lina was one of only two Arabs to be named in the Gender Equality Top 100: The Most Influential People in Global Policy. Whether you’re a corporate client wanting to increase diversity in your company or empower your female employees, Lina offers a powerful and insightful talk, guaranteed to make a long-lasting positive impression.
How to hire Dr Lina AbiRafeh
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Dr Lina AbiRafeh for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Read what people had to say about Dr Lina at their events:
“Dr. Lina Abirafeh presents informed, deep, insightful and topical analysis on global Equality, Equity, Rights and Social justice issues. She has excellent analysis from a policy, strategic and operational perspective, owing to her excellent and diverse experience at the three levels in conflict, post conflict and peace building contexts. This is also coupled with her broad research work at the academic level, setting her apart as a strategic speaker. Further, Dr. Abirafeh is widely informed and consistently triangulates her analysis and insights within real time political and socio-economic changes and challenges. Most notably, as a speaker she has the ability to solidify her dialogues and discussions with examples and case studies that fully captivate diverse audiences. I hereby recommend Dr. Abirafeh highly for strategic speaking roles.” - Njoki Kinyanjui, UN Department of Peace Operations
"Dr AbiRafeh hits you hard with the harsh reality that faces women's lives. Pointed, eloquent, with heart and wit, she brings home the message - that violence is so pervasive in women's lives and, to change that, all of society must change - its people and institutions" - April, UN OCHA
- 2015 – Current Executive Director of the Arab Institute for Women
- 2009 – Current Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies Specialist for the UN
- 2018 - Named in the Gender Equality Top 100: The Most Influential People in Global Policy
- 2015 – Presented a TEDx Talk on ‘Women’s Safety in a Violent World’
- Author of Gender and International Aid in Afghanistan: The Politics and Effects of Intervention
