Leyla Sharafi

Leyla Sharafi is the Global Senior Gender Equality Advisor, and Officer in Charge of the Gender and Human Rights Branch in the Technical Division at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Headquarters. Leyla’s role at UNFPA is to coordinate the organization’s gender mainstreaming efforts, and manage global gender and human rights programmes including those related to women and girls facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Leyla coordinates UNFPA’s system wide accountability on disability inclusion, and manages UNFPA’ flagship initiative We Decide to promote the rights of women and young persons with disabilities. Leyla brings with her more than 20 years of international work experience at the United Nations including at UNFPA, UNIFEM, the Executive Office of the Secretary General, and UNDESA. Prior to joining the UN, Leyla worked in the media sector both in an NGO in Ghana, and as a journalist and editor for a number of years. Leyla holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Florida Atlantic University as well as a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from the New School for Social Research.