SDG 5 : Gender Equality

Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. In Lebanon, gender inequality persists in various areas, including economic participation, political representation, and access to certain rights. However, the government and civil society have been working toward improving the status of women and promoting gender equality across different levels, despite facing challenges such as political instability, economic crises, and cultural barriers.

Lebanon’s Approach to SDG 5: Promoting Gender Equality

Legislative Reforms for Women’s Rights:

Lebanon has made progress in advancing women’s rights through legislative reforms aimed at promoting gender equality. For example, in 2014, the government passed a law criminalizing domestic violence, which was a significant step forward in protecting women from abuse. However, gaps remain in terms of implementation and the legal framework, particularly in personal status laws, which are governed by religious courts and vary across sects. These laws often disadvantage women in areas such as marriage, divorce, and child custody.

Women in Politics and Leadership:

Although women have historically been underrepresented in politics, there have been efforts to increase their participation. Several women ran for parliamentary elections in 2018, and a record number of women won seats in parliament. However, the percentage of women in political office remains low, with women holding only a small fraction of parliamentary seats. The government has also initiated programs to encourage women's participation in political and public life, but more needs to be done to break traditional barriers and increase female representation in leadership positions.

Economic Empowerment of Women:

Women’s economic participation in Lebanon remains low compared to global standards, with many women facing barriers to entering the workforce, including gender discrimination, unequal pay, and lack of access to leadership roles. The Lebanese government, alongside international organizations like UN Women and the World Bank, has introduced initiatives to promote women’s economic empowerment. Programs have been launched to provide women with vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and access to financial services, with the goal of increasing female participation in the labor market.

Education and Health:

Lebanon has made significant progress in ensuring gender parity in education, with women representing a large percentage of university students. The country has also achieved relatively high levels of maternal health, with access to reproductive health services improving in recent years. However, challenges remain in addressing gender-based violence and ensuring women have full autonomy over their reproductive rights.

Civil Society and Women’s Rights Organizations:

Lebanon’s vibrant civil society plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality. Numerous women’s rights organizations and NGOs work to advocate for legislative reforms, protect women from violence, and promote gender equality across all sectors of society. These organizations also provide support services such as legal aid, counseling, and shelters for survivors of domestic violence.

Challenges and Cultural Barriers:

Despite progress, cultural and societal norms continue to hinder the full realization of gender equality in Lebanon. Traditional gender roles and patriarchal attitudes often limit women’s opportunities in various fields, particularly in rural areas where conservative values are more prevalent. Addressing these challenges requires sustained efforts at both the policy and grassroots levels to change perceptions and promote gender equality.

Beirut Arab University and SDG 5: Empowering Women, Especially in Underrepresented Domains

Beirut Arab University (BAU) is actively contributing to the advancement of SDG 5 through its policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that encourages women’s participation in all academic and professional fields, particularly in underrepresented domains such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Gender Equality in Education:

BAU promotes gender equality within its academic programs, ensuring that female students have equal access to education in all fields. Women make up a significant portion of the student body at BAU, with many excelling in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as engineering, information technology, and business. By providing equal opportunities for women in higher education, BAU supports the advancement of women in various professional sectors.

Empowering Women in STEM Fields:

BAU is actively working to empower women in STEM fields, which are often underrepresented by women in Lebanon. The university encourages female students to pursue degrees in engineering, computer science, and other technical fields through scholarships, mentorship programs, and research opportunities. BAU also hosts events and workshops aimed at breaking down gender stereotypes and encouraging women to pursue careers in these critical sectors.

Research on Gender Equality:

BAU contributes to research on gender equality through its social sciences and humanities programs. The university’s faculty and students engage in research that examines gender disparities in Lebanon, the role of women in society, and strategies for promoting gender equality. This research is crucial in informing policies and initiatives that support the advancement of women’s rights in Lebanon.

Women in Leadership and Academic Roles:

BAU is committed to promoting women in leadership and academic roles within the university. Female faculty members hold key positions in various departments, and women are encouraged to take on leadership roles within the university’s administration. By promoting women in leadership, BAU sets an example for the broader Lebanese society and contributes to breaking down barriers to women’s advancement in academic and professional spheres.

Supporting Female Entrepreneurs:

BAU supports female entrepreneurship through its business and entrepreneurship programs. The university offers specialized courses and workshops for women interested in starting their own businesses, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed. BAU also collaborates with local and international organizations to provide mentorship and funding opportunities for female entrepreneurs, helping them overcome the financial and societal barriers that often limit women’s participation in the business world.

Campus Initiatives and Gender Awareness:

BAU actively promotes gender awareness on campus through various initiatives aimed at raising awareness about gender equality and women's rights. The university organizes seminars, conferences, and workshops on topics such as gender-based violence, women’s health, and economic empowerment. These events provide students with a platform to discuss gender issues and advocate for greater equality both on campus and in society.

Collaboration with Women’s Rights Organizations:

BAU collaborates with local women’s rights organizations and NGOs to promote gender equality and empower women. These partnerships enable the university to offer support services for female students, such as legal advice, counseling, and mentorship programs. Through these collaborations, BAU contributes to the broader movement for gender equality in Lebanon.

While Lebanon has made significant strides in advancing gender equality, challenges remain in ensuring full gender parity across all sectors of society. The Lebanese government, alongside civil society organizations, has been working to improve women’s political representation, economic participation, and legal rights, though cultural barriers and gaps in the legal framework persist.

Beirut Arab University plays a critical role in promoting SDG 5 by providing equal educational opportunities for women, supporting female students in underrepresented fields like STEM, and fostering an inclusive environment that encourages women to excel academically and professionally. Through its focus on research, leadership, and community engagement, BAU is helping to empower women and advance gender equality in Lebanon.

A session about freedom of expression in Lebanon at BAU

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/A-session-about-freedom-of-expression-in-Lebanon-at-BAU

The Human Rights Center at Beirut Arab University, in cooperation with Amnesty International Lebanon, organized a session about freedom of expression in Lebanon and how the Lebanese authorities and influential individuals, including political, judicial, religious and security figures, resorted to laws of contempt, penal defamation to disturb, intimidate and silence people who criticize them or attempt to uncover their behavior or corruption.

The session, which was moderated by Ms. Reina Wehbe from Amnesty International, included an introduction about the organization, its objectives, its operation in Lebanon and the region, as well as a campaign entitled "My opinion is not a crime" to support journalists and human rights defenders and to call on the Lebanese Parliament to repeal all laws that criminalize contempt and defamation.

Gender and Diversity in Organizations Division

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Business-Administration/News/Gender-and-Diversity-in-Organizations-Division

The faculty of The Business Administration at Beirut Arab University is proud to announce that Dr Abdul Rahman Beydoun, assistant Professor in the Business administration department, the winner of the prestigious award delivered by the Academy of Management, gender and diversity in organizations division at its 79th annual meeting of the academy of management held on August 9-13,2019 Boston, MA, United States.

Beirut Arab University Equality and Diversity Policy

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Policies-and-Procedures

Beirut Arab University is committed to ensuring that no-one is disadvantaged as a consequence of their age, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender reassignment, family responsibilities, marital status, pregnancy, religion or political belief, sex and sexual orientation or offending background.

As part of this commitment the University will address issues of discriminatory practice towards staff, students, and external stakeholders. This commitment is reflected in the University’s values which include the promotion of equality and diversity.

Policy Statement

Beirut Arab University strives towards creating a working, learning and social atmosphere which is inclusive and harmonious.

The University will achieve this by:

• Embracing a positive attitude towards the promotion of equality on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation to ensure all reach their full potential.
• Further embedding equality and diversity into both academic and non-academic induction and training courses.
• Being prepared to understand that fairness and equality is not always about treating people similarly, but can sometimes mean treating people differently.
• Acknowledging and celebrating the breadth of experiences and perspectives that people from diverse backgrounds bring to the life of the University.
• Eliminating discrimination and prejudice by empowering people to treat each other with respect.

The University’s Approach

• The University believes that the most effective way to promote equality and eradicate discrimination is to mainstream the consideration of equality across its functions. In this respect, all employees, students, and visitors to the University have an individual duty to ensure that equality and diversity is actively promoted.
• Ultimate responsibility for overseeing this approach rests with the Board of Governors which delegates responsibility to the Principal and Vice Chancellor who, in turn is assisted by the Executive. To ensure there is effective leadership within the University, one of the Vice-Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellors assumes the role of having overall strategic responsibility for the promotion of equality and for the mainstreaming of equality and diversity and is supported by the Equality and Diversity Sub-Committee (EDSC).

Implementation

• Mainstreaming equality and diversity is the responsibility of the EDSC, comprised of membership from a wide range of the university’s administrative functions and staff and students to ensure it represents staff and student experiences at the University.
• The mainstreaming of equality and diversity includes ensuring that staff are aware of their responsibilities, the University does this through mandatory new staff training and periodic refresher training, both of which are embedded in the University’s values and strategy.
• The University is committed to creating and promoting a working and learning environment where everybody is treated with respect.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that the University has an effective Equality and Diversity Policy.
• Ensure that the University’s equality and diversity policies and action plans are regularly reviewed and updated as necessary, to ensure compliance with all statutory obligations.
• Make available the necessary resources for the effective operation of all University activities.
• Ensure that responsibility for equality and diversity is properly assigned and promote active acceptance of this responsibility throughout the University.
• Work to secure a culture of active engagement with equality and diversity issues.

CODE OF ETHICS

https://www.bau.edu.lb/BAUUpload/Library/Files/Uploaded%20Files/About-The-University/Rules-and-Regulation/Code_of_Ethics.pdf

Article Two: University Values

The University’s basic values are academic distinction, honesty and integrity in teaching and scientific research, autonomy, freedom in conducting research, respect for individuality and safety, social justice, equality amongst individuals, scientific integrity, good conduct, setting good role-models, and honorable representation of the University.

It is the responsibility of the persons active within the context of the University to uphold these values through:

- Committing to integrity of behavior which is translatable into professional excellence and ethical behavior.

- Adhering to responsible and decisive attitudes in their actions.

- Adhering to the practice of tolerance in their human relations.

- Openness towards new ideas that intrinsically bear elevated objectives.

- Enhancing benevolent and parental relations between staff members and the students.

Article Seven: Tolerance and Acceptance of the Other

Academic staff, researchers, non-academic staff and students should show tolerance and acceptance of the Other.

Article Nine: Academic Freedom

Academic freedom is an inherent right of the Academic staff as well as students. They have an obligation to preserve it and ensure its continuity. This freedom is practiced through teaching as well as research and creative activities, and within the boundaries publically acceptable moral values and in accordance with the University standards in particular.

Article Eighteen: Excellence & Good Treatment

Beirut Arab University is an establishment that is committed to achieving excellence and securing an environment which supports this objective. Likewise, it is committed to the treatment of every individual in the community with respect and integrity.

Article Nineteen: Equality

The University is keen on realizing the principle of equality and the repulsion of extremism and discrimination among members of the human community, and offering them equal opportunities regardless of color, race, religion, origin, family status, gender, age, physical disability, social status, or social class. - The University has the right to take any and all legal procedures that its lists of rules and regulations enable it to take towards the person(s) that may be in violation of the principle of equality.

Beirut Arab University Admissions and Employment Non-Discrimination Policy – Statement

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Policies-and-Procedures

Beirut Arab University is committed to equal employment and admission opportunities; therefore, it prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy and genetic information consistent with the applicable state and federal laws of Lebanon. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to: job selection, job assignment, compensation, performance evaluations, discipline, demotion, termination, benefits and training.

This policy also governs the admission of students and all campus programs, services and activities. BAU does not discriminate on the basis of gender in admission to or employment in its education programs or activities. If at any time an employee feels that he/she has been subjected to or has observed discrimination, the employee must report such conduct to one of the College’s Title IX Coordinators so that an investigation can be initiated and appropriate action be taken. The confidentiality of all such inquiries and reports will be respected to the fullest extent possible.

• Students can raise concerns and make reports without fear of reprisal. Students will not be retaliated against in any manner for reporting perceived discrimination pursuant to this policy. Anyone found to be engaging in any type of unlawful discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal of the student or employee from the university.
• Employees can raise concerns and make reports without fear of reprisal. Employees will not be retaliated against in any manner for reporting perceived discrimination pursuant to this policy. Anyone found to be engaging in any type of unlawful discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal of the student or employee from the University.

Beirut Arab University Admissions and Employment Non-Discrimination Policy - Equal Access

BAU is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment. The College supports an environment that fosters respect and values all people. It promotes diversity with fair and impartial treatment of all students and employees in all terms and conditions of admissions and employment.

Beirut Arab University Gender Equality and Equal Pay Policy [5]

https://www.bau.edu.lb/

Work with gender equality is a strategic matter for the Beirut Arab University, which has undertaken to ensure that gender equality permeates all its activities. This also applies to faculties, museums and centers. Gender equality is about democracy and fundamental human rights, but also about the quality of our activities at the Beirut Arab University and our legitimacy in society as the country’s foremost institution for research, education and dissemination. Gender equality work is both an objective and a process that involves:

• The University consciously promoting an organizational culture and a working environment that is inclusive and fair to both sexes.
• Education, professional strategy and incentive schemes designed so that they give qualifying candidates and researchers of both sexes equal opportunities to develop their talent.
• An active recruitment policy that evens out unequal gender selection and indirect discrimination.
• That the share of women and men as professors and associate professors and in academic posts reflects the gender distribution in the recruitment base.
• The salary of each employee is independent of gender, BAU is based on merit, capabilities and human quality to give value to the work of the staff.

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Young Women Leaders for undergraduate students

https://www.bau.edu.lb/International-Relations/Announcement/Study-of-the-U-S-Institutes-SUSI-for-Young-Women-Leaders-for-undergraduate-students-

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut has announced an academic exchange program for university undergraduate students.

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Young Women Leaders: This program is for female undergraduate students aged 18 to 25 who are interested in developing their advocacy skills and learning about women leadership and role in the society. The program will take place from June to early August 2023.

The deadline to submit applications is December 31, 2022.

Program information and application instructions/link are available here: https://lb.usembassy.gov/2023-study-of-the-united-states-institutes-for-young-women-leaders-program/

As with all U.S. Embassy-sponsored programs, the U.S. Government pays for all major expenses, including roundtrip airfare, shared accommodation during the program, meals and health insurance. Competition is merit-based and Lebanese and long-term Palestinian residents in Lebanon from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be considered without regard to race, religion, sex, age, and/or physical impairment.

Rawan Nashi was selected as one of the four Lebanese candidates to participate in 2022 SUSI Young Women Leaders Program from June ,25 till July 30 - 2022

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Architecture-Design-and-Built-Environment/News/Rawan-Nashi-was-selected-as-one-of-the-four-Lebanese-candidates-to-participate-in-2022-SUSI-Young-Women-Leaders-Program-from-June-25-till-July-30-2022

Congratulations to Rawan Nashi for completing the 2022 Study of United States Institutes Young Women Leaders Program (SUSI)!

Rawan Nashi was selected as one of the four Lebanese candidates to participate in 2022 SUSI Young Women Leaders Program from June ,25 till July 30 - 2022, an exchange program funded by the US Department of State and implemented by the Women’s Global Leadership Consortium. It was hosted by Saint Mary’s College, South Bend, Indiana, where women from the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States were brought together for an intensive five-week study on Civic Engagement for Young Women Leaders.

This experience places women among a diverse group of people, pushing them to engage in cross-cultural conversations, extending the borders of their own culture, and thus, helping them formulate a global mindset.

Beirut Arab University team wins the first runner-up place in the 13th Edition of the Arab Startup Competition

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/Beirut-Arab-University-team-wins-the-first-runner-up-place-In-the-13th-Edition-of-the-Arab-Startup-Competition

A Student Team from the Faculty of Architecture - Design and Built Environment at Beirut Arab University won the first runner-up place in the first startup competition that presents creative ideas at the Arab world level. The team was qualified to be among the finalists internationally where teams from eleven countries around the world participated in this competition.

The Faculty of Architecture - Design and Built Environment team has established a new company for building materials that were made from more than 60% of recycled materials, which are often non-recyclable. The company is one of the new companies that are specialized in concrete systems and called (INFRASTIC) which is a new construction technology company specialized in concrete systems for both vertical and ‎horizontal applications

INFRASTIC team has won the first runner-up place in the Arab Startup Companies competition about the “ideas track” in its 13th edition in 2020 which was organized by MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) – Pan Arab. Many teams from around the world participated in it where eleven teams reached the semi-finalist stage.

The Arab Startup Companies competition is an annual competition that was launched by MIT forum for Entrepreneurship in the Arab World since 2006. It aims to empower the youth and promote the incubator environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Arab region. Entrepreneurs in this competition have competed along three tracks: ideas track, startups track and social entrepreneurship track.

The winning team was granted $5000 as well as mentoring and pre incubation offer at Flat6Labs Beirut and was consisted of the following students: Louay Ghezzawi, Iman Najjar, Haidar El Mokdad and Jana El Chami, and was supervised by the Engineer Rasha Sukkarieh and the directions of Professor Ibtihal Youssef El Bastawissi, the Dean of the Faculty who said: “this qualification is an assertion about the scientific, technical and creativity level of our students and their ability to adapt with the changes on the entrepreneurship level.

Congratulations to BAU students who are selected to participate in the “2021 Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) - Women's Leadership Program”

https://www.bau.edu.lb/International-Relations/News/Congratulations-to-BAU-students-who-are-selected-to-participate-in-the-2021-Study-of-the-United-States-Institutes-SUSI-Women-s-Leadership-Program-

Congratulations to BAU students Nisrine Kammourieh at the Faculty of Human Sciences, Yasmine Wraya at the Faculty of Law and Political Science and Rawan Nashi at the Faculty of Architecture - Design & Built Environment on being selected by the US Embassy in Lebanon; through a highly competitive process; to participate in the “2021 Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI) - Women's Leadership Program” at Saint Mary’s College.

Four scholarships from the French Embassy For Beirut Arab University students

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/Four-scholarships-from-the-French-Embassy-For-Beirut-Arab-University-students

In the framework of the agreement signed between Beirut Arab University (BAU) and the French Embassy in Lebanon concerning SAFAR Program, which focuses on promoting scientific research and stimulating relations between the two parties, BAU has acquired four scholarships from FORSA and SAFAR programs.

Three students have acquired PHD scholarships from SAFAR program, and one student has acquired a Master scholarship from FORSA program, as follows:

1- Mohammad Yakhne from the Faculty of Engineering – Tripoli Branch, has acquired a three-year PHD scholarship in Mechanical Engineering jointly with La Rochelle University after BAU has signed Cotutelle agreement with the University.

2- Roa Rawwas from the Faculty of Architecture-Design and Built Environment – Debbieh Campus, has acquired a six months PhD scholarship to perform part of her PHD research work at Lab'URBA - Laboratoire d'urbanisme. Université PARIS-EST

3- Hitaf Hussein from the Faculty of Science – Debbieh Campus, has acquired a six months PhD scholarship to perform part of her PHD research work at the University of Technology of Compiègne, France.

4- Doha Khalaf from the Faculty of Health Sciences-Beirut Campus, has acquired a six-months scholarship from SAFAR program to perform part of her Master research work in Food Analysis and Safety at the University of Technology of Compiègne, France.

Dr. Mirna Fawaz listed in the top 2% ranking of the most influential researchers in the world

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/Dr-Mirna-Fawaz-listed-in-the-top-2-ranking-of-the-most-influential-researchers-in-the-world

Dr. Mirna Fawaz, Head of the Nursing Department at the Faculty of Health Sciences has been listed in the top 2% ranking of the most influential researchers in the world according to Stanford University ranking.

This ranking lists researchers which have generated the most impactful and cited research in the past five years. It includes only 180,000 researchers from around the world out of more than 8,000,000 active researchers in various fields of study.

Beirut Arab University Received the Honorable Mention at 2021 Tamayouz Excellence Award

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/Beirut-Arab-University-Received-the-Honorable-Mention-at-2021-Tamayouz-Excellence-Award

Architect Mounira Al-Halabi, graduate from the Faculty of Architecture - Design and Built Environment at Beirut Arab University has been selected as one of the seven Honorable Mentions Project in the "Tamayouz" Excellence Award of Graduation Projects in Architecture for the year 2021.

Tamayouz Excellence Award is one of the biggest international awards for students of architecture, urban design, planning and garden design where the number of participating projects for this year reached 485 projects from 153 universities in 41 countries worldwide.

Architect Mounira Al-Halabi was able to achieve this result upon participating with her graduation project "Khan Al-Saboun Center for Handicrafts in Tripoli", which she prepared during the academic year 2018 - 2019 under the supervision of Dr. Islam Al-Samahi.

The jury praised the project since it provided a comprehensive study on the relationship between social traditions, crafts and the urban fabric of the city. It also extracted realistic solutions to revive the urban heritage and linked it to the surrounding streets.

This new success for one of the Faculty of Architecture - Design and Built Environment graduates at the international level confirms the distinguished level of the students of this faculty, with the support of its President, Professor Amr Galal El-Adawi, and the Faculty dean, Professor Ibtihal Bastawissi, to advance the educational process and secure all the resources and the latest technologies necessary for it.

Seminar on Enhancing Women’s Political Participation

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Human-Sciences/Event/Seminar-on-Enhancing-Women-s-Political-Participation

The Department of Mass Communication at the Faculty of Human Sciences, Beirut Arab University, organized a seminar, entitled Enhancing Women’s Political Participation. The seminar hosted anchor Ms. Claudine Aoun, Mr. Majed Eddi Abi Allamaa, Mr. Elias Hankash and Ms. Lori Haitian. The attending students posed questions that were answered by the panel members, and subsequently discussed with the floor. The seminar closed with a set of recommendations towards the enhancement of women’s political participation.

Women Empowerment for SME Management

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Business-Administration/Event/Women-Empowerment-for-SME-Management

December 8, 9 and 10, 2016 at Beirut Arab University Bekaa campus to motivate and encourage rural women to launch their own successful businesses.

BAU Participates at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Francophonie Network of Women in Higher Education and Research (RESUFF) [8]

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/BAU-Participates-at-the-Extraordinary-General-Assembly-of-the-Francophonie-Network-of-Women-in-Higher-Education-and-Research-RESUFF-

Beirut Arab University participated in the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Francophonie Network of Women in Higher Education and Research (RESUFF)in France on the 16th and 17th of October 2019. The conference was attended by Prof. Rajaa Fakhoury the Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences and Official member of the RESUFF, Ms. Wafaa Beytamouni Director of President and Secretary General Office, and Ms. Lina Anouti Administrative Assistant of President and Secretary General Office, This conference was organized by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, and brought together 90 participants from 10 regions of the world, to encourage women in Universities (students/staff) to take on responsibilities and set up training modules for them in order to overcome obstacles and have a better future.

A Discussion Panel on the Experience of Indonesian and Lebanese Women in Politics at Beirut Arab University

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/A-Discussion-Panel-on-the-Experience-of-Indonesian-and-Lebanese-Women-in-Politics-at-Beirut-Arab-University

In cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Lebanon, the Faculty of Human Sciences at Beirut Arab University organized a Discussion Panel entitled "Women in Politics: Indonesia and Lebanon as a Model" in Beirut Campus with the participation of the Indonesian MP Ms. Lena Maryana Mukti, Lebanese MP Ms. Paula Yacoubian, and Faculty Dean Professor Mayssah El Nayal, Panel Presenter and Moderator. The panel was attended by BAU President Professor Amr Galal El-Adawi, faculty deans, BAU Secretary General Dr. Omar Houri, Indonesian Ambassador Ahmad Khazen Khamidi together with the embassy staff, Iraqi Ambassador Ali Al Amiri, Bangladesh Ambassador Abdulmutallab Sarkar, Ambassador of the State of Palestine represented by Mr. Maher Mishael, and representatives of women's associations in Lebanon as well as a crowd of interested audience. The panel started with the Lebanese and Indonesian Anthems followed by Professor El Nayal’s welcoming speech in which she pointed out that the participation of women in politics will have a significant impact as it will contribute to diffusing their capabilities and helping them achieve more gender equality. "In a world that seeks peace, it is necessary to establish stronger democracies, and democracy is never achieved without utmost equality, which requires the full political participation of women,” El Nayal said. In his speech, the Indonesian Ambassador thanked BAU President for his contribution and for the panel. He reviewed the developments of the Indonesian women in the political field and stressed that the role of women in Indonesia is an integral part of the history of the country as they participated in and contributed to fighting the colonists for independence. He also assured that, today, nothing prevents women from participating in the political life and that Islam guarantees them equal rights with men in assuming positions of power. Professor El- Adawi stressed the necessity to free women of all restrictions that hinder the full performance of their roles in the society and in the political life, pointing out BAU’s encouragement of the role of women which is crystal clear in their large and prominent presence at the university at the administrative and educational levels. El-Adawi called for strengthening the role of women more in the political life as this factor is effective in achieving the concept of participation. MP. Ms. Lena Maryana Mukti gave a presentation in which she explained her experience in the Indonesian political life, pointing to the success of the role of women in Indonesian politics after achieving a 30% quota for women, which prompted the political parties to promote women's involvement and seek to increase their participation in the political life. Thus, a law was enacted and Indonesian women, since then, have held important positions in the country. Mukti talked about the political work within her party, pointing out that 54 women assume leading positions in the party, which is a very good figure as compared to the past when women were absent from these positions. MP Ms. Paula Yacoubian said that the annual struggle has a history of race in the Lebanese political life, recalling the roles of Linda Matar and Laure Moghaizel and stressing the inevitability of seeking to achieve quotas for women to correct the historical mistakes against women in Lebanon. For Yacoubian, the representation of women is no longer a luxury but a necessity to achieve participation. She criticized the serious injustice against the Lebanese women and their role during the recent parliamentary elections in Lebanon. Yacoubian called for the correction of the legacies and the conventional archetypes of the patriarchy according to which some families were raised thus depriving women over time of performing their full roles at all levels. At the end of the panel, President El-Adawi presented honorary shields to Mukti and Yacoubian and the Indonesian Ambassador presented shields to both guests, as well as BAU President and Faculty Dean.

The First Women as a Military investigation judge

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Alumni/News/The-First-Women-as-a-Military-investigation-judge

Alumna Najat Ramez Abu Shakra has been appointed as a military investigation judge.

Women Empowerment for SME Management

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Research-Center-for-Environment-and-Development/Outreach-Activities-2017-Women-Empowerment-for-SME-Management

Based on a collaborative initiative with the Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) and the Faculty of Business Administration at Beirut Arab University (BAU), and the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB) and RCED, a workshop on “Women Empowerment for SME Management” was organized at RCED-Bekaa during December 8-10, 2016.

Objectives

• Promoting business management skills of rural women
• Enhancing women’s role in local economic development

During the interactive sessions of the workshop, experts and mentors from BAU and successful business women from LLWB provided more than 35 women of all across Bekaa with knowledge and skills needed for business start-up and survival and good practice for building confidence and for resolving real-life business problems.

After a welcoming speech by RCED director, Dr. Safaa Baydoun, and CFE director, Dr. Wassim Itani, experts from the Faculty of Business Administration at BAU; Prof. Nehal Mostapha, Prof. Wagdi Higazi, Dr. Abdalla Nasreddine, Dr. Ekrami Mokhtar, Prof. Ahmad Slim and Dr. Alaa Abbas, exchanged with participats information and experience on challenges and important aspects necessary for successful management of women owned start-up businesses and SMEs. The experts also shared knowledge on the importance of the role of women’s entrepreneurs in economic growth and various aspects of successful business planning, management skills, finance and human resources management and marketing.

Moderated by the engineer Mrs. Najah Jaroush, the LLWB inspirational panel introduced the success stories of several women entrepreneurs; Ms. Yusr Sabra, Mrs. Haya elKassem, Mrs. Lina Idriss, Mrs. Kinana Rahhal and Mrs. Chantal Rbay.

Manager Mrs. Sabine Rbeiz Kassis from BLOM Bank, the sponsor of the event introduced the various funding products and explained the terms and conditions of each product wishing women entrepreneurs all the success through the different steps of their business development.

At closing ceremony certificates were distributed while women participants expressed their sincere appreciation for the efforts of the organizers and their wishes to attend for further training.

A Panel Discussion on Activating Women's Political Participation

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/A-Panel-Discussion-on-Activating-Women-s-Political-Participation

In cooperation with Beirut Arab University and the National Commission for Women, and in collaboration with the British Council and the National Committee for the Follow-up on Women's Issues, the Maharat Foundation organized a panel discussion on "Activating the Role of Women in Political Participation" among students and decision-makers within the framework of the EU-funded project DAWRAK. The panel was attended by the President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women Ms. Claudine Aoun Roukoz and MPs Majid Edi Abi El-Lamaa and Elias Hanaksh, as well as the candidate for the parliamentary elections Laury Haytian.

Students and participants discussed issues related to activating women's political participation, such as approving quotas in the election law, the role of political parties in supporting women in political participation, and the strategy of the National Commission for Women to activate women's political participation.

The students raised a number of questions and made several recommendations to the participants in order to enhance the participation of the young in the discussion of public issues and the development of public policies related to the political role of women and to support communication between them and officials and decision-makers.

The event started with BAU President Professor Amr Galal El-Adawi and Head of the Media Department Dr. Gamal Mujahed welcoming the participants and stressing that BAU supports enhancing the role of women at all levels not only in the political realm.

President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women Ms. Claudine Aoun Roukoz noted that the percentage of female candidates increased in the recent elections, but this was not reflected in the presence of women in the Lebanese Parliament, pointing out that women do not vote for female candidates but for a list that is compatible with their political stance.

She also maintained that the National Commission has called for a transitional quota to activate the participation of women in political life, considering that waiting for real equality only is useless at the moment. She added, "Laws reveal a significant prejudice against women. We as a national entity for women's affairs have many law suggestions which we will submit soon. Though women’s participation in the government is represented by 4 ministers out of 30, this is considered an achievement and a great progress at the level of female presence in the government.”

Continuing her speech, she said that the political presence of women needs a law and she encouraged the initiative of Prime Minister Saad Hariri to nominate women for the parliament and the government, adding that Hariri kept his word concerning women's presence in political life.

Within the context of the participation of women in the political parties, she stressed that females must get out of the shadows and impose themselves without allowing males to take the lead, adding "we are witnessing progress at all levels and the upcoming parliamentary elections will reflect this. Stereotypes change with the new generation."

MP Majid Edi Abi Al Lamaa, pointed out that there are many women in our patriarchal society who do not believe in the role of women in political life. "Here lies the danger. We must exert a great effort at the level of education at schools and universities to raise awareness about this subject,” he said.

Abi Lamaa assured that there are many discussions about the quota within the parties, considering that it is a kind of discrimination and imposing it is useless. He added, "Basically, it is linked to raising the young’s awareness through education in order to create a public opinion that is supportive of women's political participation, especially as there are many citizens who are against the quota, which is still considered a controversial issue."

As for the role of parties in supporting women's political participation, Abi -Lamaa expressed his hope for the new generation to change the current situation in the parties.

MP Elias Hanaksh, said that the current parliament members represent not only males but all citizens as well, especially as the problems in Lebanon are shared by men and women.

He pointed out that there is an improvement in the political participation of women through a set of indicators, for there are now six female parliament members and 4 ministers, as well as the post of Minister of Interior in the Middle East for the first time.

He also expressed his support for the approval of the quota, especially as all countries that have shown progress in the field of raising the political representation of women had approved the quota.

Laury Haytian, the candidate for the parliamentary elections, said that most of the female candidates who took part in the elections don’t belong to any party. They accepted the challenge to encourage the new generation to join the political domain. "There is a stereotype concept that women don’t understand politics which we tried to change in the previous elections," she continued.

Concerning the role of parties in supporting women's political participation, Haytian said that parties were not supportive as females’ candidates were absent from the election lists. The parties do not want the quota in order to maintain their posts and their gains. "We are witnessing a non-traditional situation in the political life; it is a transitional phase and civil society has played its political role, but the best way for women to achieve political presence is through the party, so the battle must take place within the parties for the women's involvement in the political life."

It is worth mentioning that DAWRAK project aims at enhancing women's participation in public affairs. In this context, the project resulted in a set of basic priorities for activating the role of women, including the promotion of women's political participation and civil status law. Therefore, DAWRAK launched two advocacy campaigns around these two priorities.

MP Mrs. Bahia Hariri Honors Research Leader Women from Beirut Arab University

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/Event/MP-Mrs-Bahia-Hariri-Honors-Research-Leader-Women-from-Beirut-Arab-University

Believing in the role played by distinctive and special women who are marked in the Lebanese Society, and embracing such women in the field of Researches and Leadership, the Dean of Health Sciences and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at Beirut Arab University, Prof. Rajaa Fakhoury and Prof. Hania Nakkash have been honored as women leaders in research in Lebanon in an event that took place in the Lebanese parliament, in the presence of Beirut Arab University President Prof. Amr Galal El-Adawi, on September 1, 2016. 

The event was organized by the National Initiative for the Centennial of Greater Lebanon, “Lebanon, the State of Knowledge” which is an initiative launched by Mrs. Bahia Hariri in remembrance of the declaration of the State of Greater Lebanon in September 1920. 
The ceremony celebrated the efforts and achievements of Lebanese women in the field of education and highlighted the importance of their role in maintaining Lebanon as a “state of knowledge.” Thirty-one Lebanese women were honored in this event, which was under the patronage of the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon, Nabih Berri.

“Women Between Constraints and Leadership” Arabic Recitation Contest at BAU

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/Event/Women-Between-Constraints-and-Leadership-Arabic-Recitation-Contest-at-BAU

For the tenth consecutive year, the Public Relations Administration at Beirut Arab University organized the Arabic Recitation Contest entitled “Arab Women between Constraints and Leadership”, under the patronage of HE Mr. Jean Oghassabian, the Minister of Women’s Affairs.

The event was opened by Ms. Rima Chehab who welcomed the guests. This was followed by a documentary on the topic of the competition. Then, Prof. Amr Galal El Adawi, President of BAU pointed out that the aim of the contest is not merely to advance Arabic as a language, but also to find out about what the youth have to say on issues relevant to the society.

H.E. Mr. Oghassabian praised the competition, stating that the constraints and restrictions prevent women from exploring their potentials to the full within the constitutional organizations or the public sector. Women are hardly ever given the full space to become an added value within these institutions.

He also added that women have proven themselves in all the fields in life, ranging from engineering to medicine and informatics. However, the patriarchal society does not yet allow her to become a member of parliament, although she would be an important addition to its performance. It is not a matter of looks or image, but rather the country’s need to benefit from women.

This was followed by the 20 performances of students from the following universities: Lebanese American School, Jinan University, Notre Dame University, Antonine University, Holly Spirit of Kaslik University, American University of Beirut, Manar University, Islamic University of Lebanon, Balamand University, Lebanese University in addition to Beirut Arab University.

Each student’s performance was followed by a question from the jury which consisted of the Journalist Bassam Barrak, Journalist Dolly Ghanem and Journalist Neamat Azouri Oussi who came to their final scores in accordance with the competition rules.

The First Winner of the competition was Rasha Zaher Attia from BAU- Tripoli Campus for the amount of three thousand dollars, the second prize went for Gina Joseph Moussa from Holly Spirit of Kaslik University for the amount of two thousand dollars while the third prize went for Mariam Faisal Haidar from Jinan University for the amount of one thousand dollars.

During the event, Prof. El Adawi, presented certificates of appreciation to all the participants, in addition to Honorary Trophies for the members of the jury as an appreciation.