Syria: New Govt. Appoints First Woman as Central Bank’s Head
Syria's new administration on Monday appointed Maysaa Sabrine as the governor of the Central Bank of Syria, making her the first woman to hold the position in its over 70-year history. Sabrine has also been the institution's first deputy governor and supervising director.
Facts
- Syria's new administration on Monday appointed Maysaa Sabrine as the governor of the Central Bank of Syria, making her the first woman to hold the position in its over 70-year history. Sabrine has also been the institution's first deputy governor and supervising director.[1][2]
- Sabrine — who also represented the central bank on the Damascus Securities Exchange board — replaced Mohammed Issam Hazime, who was appointed in 2021 by then-Pres. Bashar al-Assad.[3][4]
- Sabreen, who holds a master's degree in accounting, is the second woman to join the Syrian transitional regime. Earlier this month, Aisha al-Dibs was appointed head of the Women's Affairs Office.[5][6]
- Syria's central bank has reportedly tried to liberalize the country's economy, which has been hitherto heavily controlled by the state. It remains under severe US sanctions due to the Assad regime's alleged repression of dissent and the civil war.[7][8]
- The bank's main vaults remain safe despite a brief looting phase following Assad's fall. It reportedly holds nearly 26 tons of gold. Syria's forex reserves have fallen from about $18B to $200M in around 13 years.[6][8]
Sources: [1]Al Arabiya, [2]Middle East Monitor, [3]The New Arab, [4]The Media Line, [5]Al Jazeera, [6]AA, [7]Kuwait Times and [8]The National.
Narratives
- Narrative A, as provided by Al Jazeera and The Guardian. Maysaa Sabrine's appointment as Syria's first female central bank chief is a groundbreaking moment, highlighting the vast potential of Syrian women. Yet, it's only a first step. True progress demands dismantling barriers in every sphere — homes, workplaces, and society at large. Syrian women deserve not just symbolic victories but a revolution that grants them full equality and opportunity. This milestone must inspire a broader, bolder push for lasting change that genuinely transforms their lives.
- Narrative B, as provided by The New Arab and SyriacPress. Syria's appointment of its first female central bank chief is a token gesture by a regime entrenched in archaic, misogynistic traditions. The move starkly contrasts with pervasive sexism in governance, exemplified by officials' recent dismissive rhetoric on women's capabilities. While framed as progress, this appointment masks systemic exclusion, denying women substantive roles in rebuilding the nation. Such actions underscore a disingenuous view of gender equality.
