Rima Fakhry, a pioneering woman in Hezbollah’s political bureau

L’Orient Le Jour published an interview with Rima Fakhry, the only woman member of Hezbollah’s political bureau. The newspaper stated that despite her rare appearances in the media, she actively participates in decision making in the leadership council. Fakhry, who comes from the southern town of Zrarieh, joined Hezbollah in 1985 when she was still an agriculture engineering student at the American University of Beirut because she believed that through Hezbollah she can better serve her town and people. Rima’s early duties were in the education and mobilization sector in the south of the country. Later, she joined the women’s central committee, in 2004, when the Party decided to encourage the participation of women in political life, hence moving up in Hezbollah’s leadership. On this move, she disclosed that the General Secretary, Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, told her that her only option is to succeed. Rima admitted that involvement in political work is a major responsibility, particularly since Hezbollah makes strong emphasis on clear and principled vision in political decision making. She recalled once when Sayed Nasrallah stood on her side her against other Party members who voiced opposition to one political position she presented. Fakhry holds a Masters in Political Science and International Affairs from the Lebanese American University and is currently preparing her doctorate in the subject. On a personal note, Rima confesses that her responsibilities are overwhelming and therefore grant her little time to spend with her 4-member family also revealing that her spouse is not affiliated with Hezbollah. (L’Orient Le Jour, 17 March 2015)