General at the Arab World Institute (IMA), Mona Khazindar, has been elected “Woman of the Year 2012” by the Arab Women's Forum, winning out over several prominent Arab women who have made the headlines in the past 12 months. The Paris-based Institute said in a press statement that Khazindar, the first woman to hold the important post at IMA, was picked by the fifth Arab Women's Forum which met in Beirut under the theme “Women and the Arab Spring.” The Forum has been meeting regularly since September to pick the winner and Khazindar stood out among 10 prestigious contenders, including Yemeni Nobel-peace laureate and journalist, Tawakkul Karman. Khazindar said in her acceptance speech that “as a mother, the woman has been at the origin of all real revolutions because of the importance she has in the education of children.” Khazindar also stressed that “women have a central role to play in the evolution of society.” The Arab World Institute also underlined that the attribution of this distinction to its Director-General was also a tribute to IMA which is seeking to promote the Arab world on the international culture scene.
