Dr. Fadia Kiwan, a Lebanese political-science professor at Saint-Joseph University and the director general of the Arab Women Organization, had observed through her work that Lebanon's socio-political landscape presented both opportunities and challenges for women's empowerment. Thus, in February 2022, she faced a significant career dilemma: she could run for Lebanon’s upcoming parliamentary elections or continue her impactful roles in academia and women's advocacy. Her decision would be crucial because each path offered distinct possibilities for advancing women's rights and political representation in a region fraught with obstacles for women. Which path would she choose?