INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S Day- 08 March 2026
International Women’s Day 2026ย comes at a time of deep challenges in Lebanon. Many women are facing the loss of jobs, businesses, and financial security, while opportunities continue to narrow and poverty deepens.At the same time, unpaid care work is increasing, with women supporting families and holding communities together under immense pressure, while reports of violence and insecurity continue to rise.
Yet even in crisis, women remain at the forefront :
leading, rebuilding, and innovating.
Today is not only a moment to reflect, but a call to action for economic justice, safety, equal opportunity, and the recognition of unpaid care work.
๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง!
It is a necessity for recovery, resilience, and a just future for Lebanon.
Scale Up Program: Advancing Womenโs Leadership in Public Institutions
Consolidating a pipeline of pioneering women aiming to shape Lebanonโs future.
As part of the Women on Board project, supported by the British Embassy in Beirut, the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB) delivered a comprehensive series of in-person trainings across four key public institutions: the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), and the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI).ย ย
Over 20-half days of training, seven expert trainers covered five topics, providing practical knowledge and tools to strengthen womenโs leadership, inclusion, and well-being in the workplace. These included: Gender Mainstreaming in Programs trainer (Francesca El Asmar), Leadership and Management trainer (Sarah Al Charif), Womenโs Legal Rights trainer (Chantal Bou Akl and Sandy Tanios), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainer (Joumana Merhi), Mental Health and Well-being trainer (Chantal El Khoury), and Women on Boards trainer (Lara Macaron). These trainings engaged participants in meaningful dialogue, hands-on exercises, and practical strategies to enhance governance, womenโs active participation on boards, and in decision-making roles across Lebanonโs public sector. These trainings also reinforced LLWBโs long-term mission to expand womenโs presence on boards, promote gender equality in decision-making spaces, and scale up the capacities of high-level women across Lebanonโs public sector.ย
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Gender Mainstreaming in Social Development Programs of the Ministry of Social Affairsย
LLWB conducted a specialized training session for the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) on Gender Mainstreaming in Programs, led by trainer Francesca El Asmar. As one of the countryโs key ministries responsible for social development, MOSA plays a critical role in shaping policies and services that directly affect communities across Lebanon throughout the SDCs, the AMAN Program, the Inclusion of People with Disabilities and Elders strategy as well as children and refugees.ย ย
The session equipped eighteen MOSA participants with practical tools, including gender action plans and analytical frameworks, enabling them to more effectively integrate gender perspectives throughout the project cycle. Participants engaged in rich discussions, shared institutional challenges, and explored concrete approaches to enhance gender-sensitive programming. Feedback was highly positive, with participants underscoring the importance of deepening this collaboration with LLWB to ensure that gender equality becomes a stronger pillar within MOSAโs policies, programs, and nationwide impact.ย
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LLWB facilitated three well-being workshops for women in CDR, LARI, and the Ministry of Justice, led by trainer Chantal El Khoury, as part of its commitment to empowering women leaders in Lebanonโs public sector. The sessions introduced practical diagnostic tools, including the Eight-Dimensional Well-being Wheel and the Wheel of Feelings, enabling participants to assess their emotional literacy, resilience, and overall well-being. Through reflection on workplace challenges, participants developed actionable strategies to strengthen personal sustainability and navigate professional and personal pressures with confidence. These workshops had a meaningful impact, equipping women with the skills and self-awareness needed to enhance their well-being and effectiveness in leadership roles, demonstrating LLWBโs role in fostering resilient, empowered women across Lebanonโs public institutions.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Training
As part of its mission to empower women leaders and strengthen inclusive governance, LLWB conducted the first training unit on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for 70 participants from LARI, MOSA, CDR, and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). The sessions focused on human rights principles, gender equality, inclusivity, and Lebanonโs commitments under the CEDAW Convention, encouraging participants to reflect on workplace challenges and share personal experiences. Using an interactive and participatory approach, the trainings fostered open dialogue and critical reflection on institutional practices. Participants expressed strong interest in further capacity building on gender equality, inclusive policies, and leadership, reinforcing LLWBโs impact in raising awareness, scaling up high-level women leaders, and promoting greater womenโs representation on boards and in decision-making roles across Lebanonโs public sector.
Women on Boards Training Program
LLWB delivered a four-day Women on Boards (WOB) training, led by trainer Lara Macaron, for 70 women in senior positions across CDR, MOSA, LARI, and the MOJ. The program addressed trends in womenโs board participation, leadership competencies, corporate governance principles, gender stereotypes, and strategic recommendations for inclusive governance. Participants engaged actively throughout the sessions, providing positive feedback on the contentโs relevance and applicability. They expressed interest in additional sessions to further strengthen governance practices and leadership skills.
Leadership & Management Training
As part of its mission to empower women leaders and strengthen inclusive governance, LLWB delivered four Leadership & Management training sessions, led by trainer Sarah Al Charif, for senior women from MOSA, CDR, LARI, and the Ministry of Justice, with the support of the UK Embassy. The sessions introduced participants to essential leadership concepts, including authentic leadership, self-awareness, stakeholder analysis, and creative problem-solving, blending reflective tools with practical, hands-on exercises. Participants described the training as eye-opening and empowering, appreciating the interactive learning environment and expressing strong interest in extended leadership development programs. These sessions highlighted LLWBโs impact in building high-level women leaders, fostering peer networks, and providing strategic coaching to advance women into board positions and decision-making roles across Lebanonโs public sector. Through the Scale Up Program, LLWB empowered women across Lebanonโs public institutions by delivering engaging and practical training sessions that strengthened leadership skills and understanding of gender equality. The program enabled participants to develop new skills, share experiences, and build stronger networks to advance inclusive governance and effective decision-making. With the continued support of the UK Embassy in Beirut, LLWB is committed to preparing more women for leadership roles through the upcoming mentorship program, shaping a new generation of high-level leaders and driving lasting change. Together, these efforts are not only transforming individual careers but also redefining the governance landscape of Lebanonโs public sector, ensuring that womenโs voices, expertise, and vision guide the countryโs future.
General Assembly 2025
LLWB held its 2025 General Assembly at the Khalil Fattal & Fils Auditorium in Sin El Fil, bringing together 243 members, non-members, partners, and key stakeholders. The General Assembly served as a powerful moment to reflect on our collective achievements and shape the strategic path forward.
It was a space for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and planning, reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing womenโs leadership and empowerment across all sectors.
Step into the moments โ explore the photo album
Feel the impact โ recap it all in our GA’s video
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#I Commit To The Women On Boards’ Journey
The Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB) has hosted a Panel for the Women on Board Initiative, marking the successful completion of the LLWB-managed project under the “Women on Board Law Project”. This project is implemented under the BINA’ project subgrants and funded by the European Union, and managed by Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S) and Transparency international -Lebanon(TI-LB). The panel served as platform to highlight the key achievements of our year and a half long advocacy efforts in promoting gender equality and empowering womenโs leadership in various sectors.
The keynote speakers for the event included H.E. Haneen Sayed MOSA Minister, LLWB President Corine Kiame, VP of Transparency International-LB Dr. Zeina Zeidan, and EU Lebanon Program Manager for Anti-Corruption Beindy Dagher. The panel, titled โI Commit to the Women on Board Journey,โ was moderated by LLWB Board Member Mrs. Christine Francis, with panelists including Lamia Moubayed, Alia Farhat, Joelle Abou Farhat, Sarah El Sharif, Badri Meouchy, and Khouloud Khatib.
To read the full press release in Arabic, click here.ย
- H.E. Mrs. Haneen El Sayed MOSA Minister Keynote speaker address. Click Here
- LLWB’s President Ms. Corine Kiame’s Keynote speaker address. Click Here
Weโd love to hear your feedback on the conference and the panel, kindly take a moment to fill out the feedback form for those who attended, and donโt forget to relive the event by viewing the photos!
Conference: The Status of Women on Boards in Lebanon
The Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB),
The Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), is delighted to organize a panel discussion on the Status of Women on Boards in Lebanon on boards. Wednesday March 12, 2025, from 3:30 till 5:30 pm at Movenpick Hotel, Beirut.
With the support of the British Embassy in Beirut, the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB) continued its advocacy efforts to increase women participation and representation in decision making positions, particularly on Boards, including Women on Board Law amendment backed by research and evidence.
This year, LLWB has collaborated with two main university partners, to achieve the goal of ‘Unlocking the Potential of Women Leaders’ in both universities, through gender auditing the two institutions LAU and AOU, building the capacities of 70 women out of which 18 got enrolled in the Corporate Directors program and Board Diversity program through IFC/ESA Business School.
The conference on March 12, at 3.30 pm, will highlight the successful engagement of the two universities in the program and will allow LLWB to disseminate the findings and recommendations of two research studies, it led on Women on Boards in Listed Companies and Women on Boards in Public Institutions in Lebanon.
The full concept note and background information related to this conference are available on this Link: Concept Note- Status of WoB in Lebanon with agenda LLWB March 12 2025
- Photos
- Press Release
- Publicly Listed Companies in Lebanon
- Boards-of-Public-Institutions Presentation
- Panel Discussion
- Gender Diversity on Boards Of Public Institutions in Lebanon Study
- Strategic Framework and Action Plan Enhancing Women’s Representation on Corporate and Public Boards in Lebanon-Policy Brief
- WOB of Public Institutions in Lebanon- study
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Addressing the Persistent Gender Gap in Lebanese Boardrooms Insights from Women on Boards of Publicly Listed Companies.
The Lebanese League for Women in Business participated in a capacity-building workshop in Rabat, as part of the EU-OECD project on access to finance for women entrepreneurs.
LLWB’s Executive Director, Mrs Rita Chemaly contributed as a speaker to the session titled: ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ช๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐, where she joined leaders from ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ผ, ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป, ๐ง๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฎ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ด๐๐ฝ๐ to discuss how womenโs business associations are driving access to credit and empowering women entrepreneurs.
Together, weโre breaking barriers and creating a future where women lead in business
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The Lebanese League for Women in Business was honored to participate in an impactful press conference organized by the Lebanon feminist platform on October 18, 2024, at the Press Club in Beirut. The conference addressed the devastating effects of ongoing aggression on Lebanon, particularly the violations against humanitarian and feminist organizations.
Speakers shed light on the urgent challenges facing relief efforts and passionately called for the protection of these vital initiatives amidst the escalating crisis.
Together, we stand united in our commitment to support those in need and uphold human rights.
The Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), organized a roundtable discussion titled โInclusive Workplaces and Policies: Shaping the Future of Lebanese Labor Law and Ensuring Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion in the Workplace in Times of Crises and War.โ
The roundtable took place on Wednesday, October 23, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, with the participation of 63 key stakeholders and experts invited from the academic sector, law and justice sector, public sector, private sector, human rights organizations, international and regional partners, and some members of LLWB.
While our primary focus was to discuss labor law policies, the challenging and uncertain situation in Lebanon has compelled us to expand our conversation to include the impact of war and displacement on inclusive workplaces and policies. This roundtable explored the intersectionality of workplace policies and how they affect womenโs economic participation, particularly considering the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, which emphasizes the importance of womenโs economic empowerment.
The roundtable addressed the impact of war on various sectors, including agriculture, IT, STEM, education, care, health, construction, and services. The technical part was developed led and presented by it was led and presented researcher and legal expert Me. Youmna Makhlouf. The roundtable discussion was introduced by LLWB President Mrs. Corine Kiame, and Mrs. Abir Chebaro, Head of the Advocacy Pillar and LLWB Vice President, and Mrs. Cyrine Farhat, Program Manager at KAS it was moderated by LLWBโs Executive director Mrs. Rita Chemaly.
The technical discussion among participants revolved around care work policies, remote work, flexible time, and the capacities of state institutions, syndicates, the private sector, employers, and employees to brainstorm and find solutions to the impact of war on work and labor. The discussions highlighted how war exacerbates social distress and the need for social protection measures approved by all stakeholders involved.
For more information contact LLWBโs Communicationโsโ Lead Ms. Rachel Haddad.
Rachel.haddad@llwb.org
The Gender in Humanitarian Action (GIHA) Sub-Group is organizing a series of regional consultations to ensure the participation of women-led organizations, local organizations, and activists in shaping gender-sensitive humanitarian responses. These consultations aim to address key questions regarding the role, contributions, and challenges of women-led and local organizations in relief and recovery efforts.
To register and participate, kindly send an email to jwficc@yahoo.com.
