Suyen Barahona is the Executive Director of the Women’s Political Leadership Fund, an independent initiative focused on advancing feminist and democratic political leadership, particularly in the Global South. She is a political leader, human rights activist, and feminist with over 15 years of experience.

Barahona began her political career coordinating campaigns and projects for Nicaraguan non-governmental organizations advocating for the environment and indigenous rights. In 2006, she joined Unión Democrática Renovadora (UNAMOS), a progressive opposition party promoting democracy and justice under Nicaragua’s dictatorship. She served as President of UNAMOS from 2017 and has faced persecution, including 606 days of unjust imprisonment, deportation, and loss of nationality due to government repression.

Despite these challenges, Barahona remains committed to empowering women in politics and fostering gender equality. She is a board member of the Progressive Alliance, a global network of progressive parties. Her leadership has been recognized with the 2022 Human Rights Award from the Progressive Alliance and the 2023 Champions of Justice Award from the Global Women’s Institute.

Barahona holds a B.A. in international relations from the University of Mobile and an M.Sc. in environmental studies from Ohio University, where she was a Fulbright Scholar. She is also a graduate of the Leadership Trek Corporation program.

Barahona was an event speaker at the Dialogue.