For The First Time Since P.A Establishment; Palestinian Woman Sworn In As Governor

Saturday January 23, 2010 08:20 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

For the first time since the Palestinian Authority (P.A) was established in 1996, a Palestinian woman was sworn in on Friday as the first female governor in the Palestinian territories.

Governor Laila Ghannam - Maan Images

Dr. Laila Ghannam was sworn in as the governor of Ramallah and Al Biereh, in the central, West Bank.

She was the acting governor for six months until she was officially sworn-in on Friday in front of President Mahmoud Abbas.

The official ceremony was held at the Presidential headquarters in Ramallah. President’s Secretary, Tayyib Abdul-Rahim, the head of the president’s office,
Dr. Rafeeq Husseini, and the president’s advisor for districts affairs, Hajj Ismail Jabir, attended the ceremony.

President Abbas said that Palestinian women are partners in building the country and its institutions, and should be guaranteed their full rights and equality.

Dr. Ghannam previously held several important positions, including the position of director-general of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the head of the Watan Center for Women Leadership, and other significant positions.

She holds a PHD in Education and specializes in Psychological Health, in addition to holding a Masters Degree in Psychological and Educational counseling.

ramallah | palestinian politics | news report saed at imemc dot org