Hala Al-Ghawi

Dr. Hala Al-Ghawi is a specialist surgeon, holding postgraduate qualifications in surgery from Damascus University. She has been active in humanitarian and civic work since 2012. She has dedicated a significant part of her professional career to serving those affected by the Syrian crisis and contributed to establishing medical initiatives to provide care and treatment to injured Syrians and refugees in Jordan. She also participated in the establishment of the Future Syria Coalition and has held several leadership, management, and advisory positions in Syrian organizations.

She is a leading member of Families for Freedom and the Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity, where she has engaged in advocacy efforts related to the rights of detainees and forcibly disappeared persons, the rights of victims and their families, and strengthening the role of Syrian civil society.

A key aspect of Dr. Hala's work focuses on empowering women leaders, promoting women's participation in public life and decision-making, and combating violence and discrimination against women. Through her work, she brings together her experience in medicine, humanitarian action, civic leadership, and human rights advocacy, with a particular focus on strengthening women's leadership and contributing to building more just and peaceful communities.

Professional Development and International Fellowships

Dr. Hala has completed a number of specialized international training programmes and fellowships, most notably:

• National NGO/Nonprofit Leadership Programme in Humanitarian Work (NNPHL) | 2019, in collaboration with Concern Worldwide US, the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and International Medical Corps.
• Health Systems in Crisis and Recovery Fellowship | 2022, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy, with a focus on health systems in conflict and crisis settings, international law, aid management, and health policies.
• Policy Brief Fellowship | 2024, American University of Beirut (AUB), focusing on policy analysis, policy writing, and evidence-based advocacy.

International Engagement and Participation

Dr. Hala represented civil society organizations as a rapporteur at the 2024 Ministerial Meeting. She also addressed the United Nations Security Council in 2019 during a session focusing on the issue of Syrian detainees. She received an award from Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) in recognition of her contribution to the medical and legal documentation of victims of violations and torture in Syria.

Dr. Hala's career brings together medicine, humanitarian action, civic leadership, human rights advocacy, and women's empowerment, reflecting a sustained commitment to supporting affected communities, strengthening women's role in leadership and decision-making, and contributing to a more just and peaceful future.