Roundtables

Embracing Diversity: Inclusive Human Resources Management Strategies

 

The Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), in collaboration with AUB, MEPI, and TELFER under the SAWI Phase 2 project, hosted a virtual panel discussion on January 14, 2025, titled “Embracing Diversity: Inclusive Human Resources Management Strategies.” The event celebrated the significant milestones achieved throughout the project.

The webinar was launched by Ms. Corine Kiame, President of LLWB and Dr. Charlotte Karam, Principal investigator SAWI Project, University of Ottawa and AUB. Ms. Rita Chemaly offered an overview of the SAWI project journey and thanked the LLWB team, mainly Mr. Hussein Ayyad, Ms. Rachel Haddad and Ms. Ghada Salibi. The webinar gathered 75 participants from the MENA region interested in women economic Participation. Dr Gulnar Wakim tackled in her presentation the female citizens contribution. She offered insights related to experiences of the formal economies, of the MENA, by qualitative data pertaining to female employment in the formal economic sector in Lebanon, strategic findings and crucial recommendations enhancing the design and practices of better recruitment, retention and promotion for female citizens in Lebanon. 

Additionally, LLWB organized a panel, that was moderated by Ms. Sarah Abi Abdallah, featuring success stories by selected employers and employees, related to recruitment, retention and promotion processes, and the lived experience index with the development of a showcase study, who’s despite the challenges of conflict, have integrated a human rights-based approach into their operations. The panel gathered Ms. Rhea Gerbaka from AMC, Ms. Hiba Bejjani from Wakkilni and Mr. Mohammad Katat from Pharmamed. The virtual session held January 14, 2025, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, provided a platform for sharing knowledge and advancing discussions on inclusive human resources strategies.

 

Combatting Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and addressing the main loopholes in existing policies in Lebanon in time of crises | LLWB & KAS

In light of the pressing need for reform to effectively combat violence and harassment in the workplace, the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), in collaboration with KAS (Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung), hosted an invite-only roundtable discussion on “Combating Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and Addressing the Main Loopholes in Existing Policies in Lebanon During Times of War and Crises.”
The roundtable took place on Thursday the 31st of October 2024 at 15:30 and brought together 53 key experts from various sectors in Lebanon, including government representatives, syndicates, the private sector, civil society organizations, and academic experts. The roundtable discussion was introduced by LLWB President Mrs. Corine Kiame, and  moderated by Mrs. Abir Chebaro, Head of the Advocacy Pillar and LLWB Vice President and led by public policy expert Ms. Sandy Tanios, the discussion aimed to develop recommendations for a policy brief to support LLWB’s advocacy and lobbying efforts for reforms related to the economy and labor force participation.

The objectives of the roundtable were amended to align with the prevailing situation in Lebanon. The main goals included:
Discussing a shared reform vision regarding policies and practices for combating sexual harassment and abuse during times of war and crisis with all relevant stakeholders.

Advocating for the ratification of the ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment No. 190 and its accompanying Recommendation No. 206, contributing to an improved legislative environment for addressing harassment and violence in the workplace.

Moderated by LLWB and led by Ms.Sandy Tanios, the discussion was guided by a Concept Note, available in both Arabic and English, that was developed with the participation of two intern researchers from the Saint Joseph University Ms Marianne Saghbini and Mr. Wassim Atrissi. 

Main feedback from the evaluation Form of the roundtable organised included that it was:  “technical” “It was very good in all respects” , the most important topics that participants to the roundtables tackled are “The intersection between law 205 and C190. The link between conflict and GBV. The recommendations to the current legal framework” “1)Understanding some aspects of the law, 2) understanding the interlink with other ministries, 3) hearing the recommendations based on others’ experiences ” ” – التقاطع بين قانون تجريم التحرش الجنسي وتأهيل ضحاياه واتفاقية منظمة العمل الدولية رقم 190 بشأن العنف والتحرش – المناقشة ” , “Reaching to a common understanding of harassment. Engaging different stakeholders. Using an evidence based approach ” .One more comment on the way forward was also raised from a participant “after issuing the policy paper to validate and revisit the recommendations and suggest and action plan that should be handled by different stakeholders”

Links related to the discussion:

LLWB will also update this page with links to the English and Arabic policy briefs that will be developed in this regard and will serve as cornerstones for advocacy and program development on the subjects discussed.
For more information about the project, please contact:

 

Inclusive 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 | LLWB & KAS

The Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), organized a roundtable discussion titled “Inclusive 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.”

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 women’s economic participation, particularly considering the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, which emphasizes the importance of women’s 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 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 LLWB’s 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.

Here are the links related to the discussion:

  • The primary Concept Note that guided the discussion (English Version)Concept note Roundtable , that was developed, with the support of research interns from USJ Political Science Institute Ms Marianne Saghbini and Mr Wassim Atrissi. 
  • The legal presentation prepared by researcher and legal expert Youmna Makhlouf (Arabic Version)أماكن العمل والسياسات الشاملة (1).pptx
  • The LLWB presentation covering who we are, LLWB’s advocacy plan, the project and collaboration with KAS, and the LLWB’s main pillars of action for the way forward (English Version) LLWB Presentation
  • The recording of the roundtable discussion Recorded session

LLWB will also update this page with links to the English and Arabic policy briefs that will be developed in this regard and will serve as cornerstones for advocacy and program development on the subjects discussed.

For more information about the project, please contact:

𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝗿

Exportation Rapid Assessment During Times of War for Medium and Large Companies in Lebanon 

The Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB) organised and led a qualitative focus group discussion on October 14, 2024, with selected women-led enterprises from its network. 

The objective of the discussion was to understand the primary challenges and urgent issues facing medium and large enterprises in the Bekaa and North regions during times of war. The session also addressed critical issues affecting trade and investment in the current climate. 

Key Takeaways 

  1. Challenges in Access to Finance 

  1. Companies face significant difficulties in securing financing, with overhead costs rising sharply over the past year. 

  1. Bureaucratic Hurdles and Lack of Export Support 

  1. Streamlined documentation and closer collaboration with authorities are urgently needed. 

  1. Participants highlighted persistent bureaucratic and political obstacles to completing legal registration. 

  1. Local products lack consistent support from key state ministries and directorates, leading to unsustainable export efforts. 

  1. Localized and Tailored Needs Not Addressed 

  1. Companies struggle to meet demand for essential products amid labor shortages, particularly in some regions of Lebanon. 

  1. Transportation issues, including unsafe roads and inadequate infrastructure, have further exacerbated challenges for medium and large businesses. 

Way Forward 

Many businesses are pivoting toward local markets while navigating supply chain obstacles. In-depth research is essential to understand supply chains and market access for SMEs in Lebanon. 

LLWB remains committed to amplifying the voices of women-led businesses and working collaboratively to address these challenges. Comprehensive mapping and further studies will be conducted to strengthen the local economy through participatory approach. 

#WomenInBusiness #ExportChallenges #Lebanon #LLWB

Training SCALE UP: Advancing Diversity, Leadership & Women’s Legal Rights with Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB)
From November 26th to December 4th, 2024, the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), hosted the Scale Up program, a series of empowering training sessions. Supported by the UK Embassy’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), to the Arab Open University (AOU) staff, professors and students. These sessions were designed to advance gender equality, promote diversity, and enhance leadership skills of women in AOU for them to be able to advance diversity, leadership and women’s Legal Rights in their university and in other institutions with Boards.
The training series began with two sessions led by Ms. Joumana Merhi on November 26th and December 29th, 2024, which focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and empowering women. These sessions set the tone for a broader discussion on women’s rights and inclusion in the workplace.
Following this, Mrs. Zeina Helou conducted an engaging online session on Leadership and Management on November 28th and December 3rd, 2024. Through these sessions, participants gained strategies to enhance their leadership abilities, advocate for diversity, and navigate decision-making roles with confidence, noting that Ms. Helou gave personal testimonies as case studies to discuss with the participants.
On December 2nd and 6th, 2024, Ms. Dima Issa led a transformative workshop on Women on Board, where she provided essential insights and tools for increasing female representation in leadership positions, particularly within boards and organizations. The added value is that Dr Issa has participated previously in the phase 1 program, also gained the Certificate related to board diversity and corporate directors program, and has given back this experience to new professors and staff members from other universities.
Ms. Chantale Abou Akl concluded technical series on December 4th with a session on Women’s Legal Rights, guiding participants through crucial legal frameworks and empowering them to advocate for gender equity within the legal system. Noting that the second session will be held on December 17th.
As the additional sessions by Ms. Zeina Daccache, they focused on Mental Health and Wellbeing during war and critical situations, to provide participants with tips to prioritize their mental health and well-being in both personal and professional contexts through these challenging times in Lebanon.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all AOU professors, employees, and participants who have contributed to the success of these sessions. Your commitment to empowering women and fostering a culture of inclusion is truly commendable.
Stay tuned for more LLWB training sessions as we continue to work together toward a more equitable tomorrow!
 
Training Update: LAU’s First Session in the SCALE UP Program on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Today, December 9th, 2024, the Lebanese American University (LAU) attended its first training session in the Scale Up program, with over 25 enthusiastic participants. The session focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, providing valuable insights and strategies for fostering more inclusive environments. The participants from LAU were highly engaged and eager to learn, contributing to dynamic discussions with Ms. Joumana Merhi. Their active participation and commitment to understanding these critical topics highlight the growing momentum of the Scale Up initiative and its impact on empowering women in leadership.