Syria's Only Female Minister Faces Loneliness in Power

Hind Kabawat, Syria's Minister for Social Affairs and Labour, is the sole woman in the transitional government. Reflecting on her role, she voiced feelings of isolation, wishing for another female colleague to confide in. Her upbringing was shaped by diverse experiences, moving across the Middle East and Europe, influenced by conflict and displacement.

Kabawat's career involved extensive work abroad on diplomacy and legal reforms, advocating for women's greater participation in public life. Following the fall of the Assad regime and the establishment of a transitional authority, she returned to Syria to assume her current governmental position. Her insights shed light on leadership challenges in a nation still grappling with over a decade of conflict.