SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 5 recognizes the fundamental role of gender equality in building inclusive and sustainable societies, underscoring the importance of empowering women to drive positive change in their communities and beyond. LAU has been at the forefront of efforts to promote gender equality and empower women, not just within its own institution, but also in the wider Middle Eastern context. Through its reputable institute, the Arab Institute for Women (AiW), as well as several initiatives such as the Middle East Partnership Initiative Tomorrow’s Leaders Program (MEPI-TL) and partnerships with organizations like the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), LAU has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing women’s participation in various fields. By hosting conferences, implementing gender-inclusive policies, and supporting research and training programs, LAU has actively contributed to fostering an environment that nurtures female leadership and encourages the pursuit of careers in STEM fields. LAU’s proactive engagement in various initiatives aligns with the core principles of SDG 5, as it continues to pave the way for greater gender equality and the empowerment of women in the Middle East and beyond.

A Seat at the Table: Women Participation in Decision Making in the Arab World

LAU-MEPI TL Symposium probes female involvement in political and public life, focusing on Tunisia and Lebanon.

The discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping women’s participation in decision-making positions in the Arab world, highlighting good practices and measuring progress in the region related to women’s equality and how that can help create more stable governments.

The idea for the panel came from the Tunisian MEPI TL scholars at LAU, for whom the appointment of Prime Minister Najla Bouden Romdhane in October 2021 was momentous. Their mentors at the university – spearheaded by LAU-MEPI TL Executive Director Dina Abdul Rahman – helped them prepare for and organize the event.

The symposium at Irwin Hall was attended by the Ambassador of Tunisia in Lebanon Bouraoui Limam, the Ambassador of the US to Lebanon Dorothy C. Shea, LAU President Michel E. Mawad, Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management Elise Salem, representatives from both embassies, and LAU faculty, staff, and students. It was also livestreamed on social media platforms.

Background

Uprisings across the Arab world in the name of democracy, equal rights, and, for women in particular, inclusion in the decision-making process have yielded uneven outcomes. In Tunisia, Iraq, and Libya, women have won seats in parliament and government, but progress is not uniform in the region, least of all in Lebanon, where the current parliament refuses to institute a female quota for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

But what has been accomplished so far is only the beginning of an uphill battle. “In the case of Tunisia, the 2010 revolution has been characterized both by successes and challenges,” said Ambassador Limam.

“Tunisia is currently cultivating a rather extraordinary capacity to have a public debate on the different ways to evolve the society on values of democracy, equality, and justice,” he said, drawing parallels with Lebanon in terms of capable human talent.

The revolution’s achievements, he added, are owed to “a dynamic civil society and brave women’s rights associations,” which have paved the way for the appointment of Bouden Romdhane as the first female Arab PM and nine women in the new cabinet.

In a recorded message played at the event, Bouden Romdhane spoke about the current economic, health, and societal challenges facing all leaders in positions of power, and how these challenges become more pronounced for female leaders.

“The struggle for women to benefit from the same opportunities as men and to access decision-making positions is a long-term fight and we have only just begun,” she said, adding: “But it is thanks to the participation of all – men and women – and with a deeper thinking of educational, cultural, and social precepts that we will manage to create long-lasting change.”

Echoing these thoughts, Ambassador Shea affirmed the US Government’s commitment to “create and help develop a cadre of leaders who will use their education, concrete experience, and skills to enact positive change in their respective countries and communities” – the ethos upon which the MEPI TL program was founded.

To date, the US State Department has invested through the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) over $50 million in the TL program and through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) another $70 million in the Higher Education Scholarship program (USP Program). Ambassador Shea said, “We are a proud, committed partner to LAU, to MEPI, and to everyone who is working to make Lebanon a stable, secure, sovereign, and prosperous country.”

Dr. Mawad noted how, only a short while ago, having women in decision-making positions had sounded like a far-fetched dream. “Not anymore, however, thanks to the likes of Najla Bouden, who sure-footedly made her way into a man’s world and broke a barrier that has for long deprived society of all of its grey matter,” he said, affirming: “Progress toward gender equality is irreversible.”

Before opening the panel discussion, Algerian LAU-MEPI TL Graduate (TLG) student Safa Difi explained that she, along with 17 of her MEPI TL colleagues, had conducted research on a volunteer basis to provide background information on the representation of women across 22 Arab countries. The results of their research were displayed in the form of a poster presentation at Irwin Hall for attendees to view.

As examples of major milestones achieved, their findings showed that in Qatar, 51 percent of women were employed, while the percentage in Kuwait was quite similar with a total of 53 percent of women in the workforce. Mauritanian law allowed for a 20 percent quota for women in municipal councils and the November 2006 elections resulted in more than 20 percent representation of women.  While women’s participation in the Egyptian parliament increased from 2 percent in 2012 to 15 percent in 2016 up to 25 percent in 2021, the percentage of female ministers in Lebanon reached 31.6 percent.

The following students presented an overview of the research findings: MEPI TL Undergraduate (TLU) scholars Hiba Kammoun from Tunisia, Mohamad Hedi Jaza from Tunisia, Omar Eladarousy from Egypt, as well as MEPI TL Gender Studies (TLS) scholars Perla Bou Dehen and Hadi Baher from Lebanon.

The Panel Discussion

LAU Visiting Assistant Professor and LAU-MEPI TLS Academic Director Dr. Lina Kreidie opened the panel with an overview of the situation in Arab countries. Dr. Kreidie said, “Since 2010, the Arab people have been struggling to build peaceful and democratic nations and women have been at the forefront of the revolutions, trying to pave their paths from the bottom up to the top political decision-making ranks.”

The obstacles they have had to face are many and on different levels. Speaking about gender justice and women’s political participation, Regional Consultant on Gender Equality at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Menaal Munshey defined the main barriers keeping women from public life in the Arab world as institutional, social, and cultural.

“Especially in light of the pandemic, we know that women suffered many setbacks, especially those working in the care economy. In order to build back better, we need more women at the center of decision-making and national response plans,” she said.

The Tunisia Case Study

International Expert in Gender and Sustainable Development Policies, Monia Braham, presented the Tunisia case study, citing data on women’s participation in politics and governmental positions. The numbers were encouraging and exceeded regional (and even global) averages: With women constituting 26.3 percent of parliament in 2019, Tunisia placed third out of 15 countries from the MENA region.

She explained that the transition from the quota system to the gender parity principle was promising for Tunisian women, as it allowed them to be largely involved in the decision-making process.

However, some gaps have yet to be addressed, she added, such as exerting more efforts to combat gender-based violence, advocating for gender justice policies, and ensuring women’s engagement and voting rights, especially in rural areas.

The Lebanon Case Study

Co-founder and President of Fifty Fifty Joelle Abou Farhat expounded on the urgent need for a women’s quota to ensure Lebanese women’s representation in public office.

The numbers she presented were bleak: In 2021, the World Economic Forum ranked Lebanon at 183 out of 187 countries in terms of women’s participation in parliament. On top of this, and ever since Lebanon became a sovereign state in 1943, only nine out of 88 governments included women. Out of 11 elected parliaments since 1963, only eight have included women, with the highest number being six representatives out of 128.

Abou Farhat drew a logical conclusion: “Without a quota system, women will not reach the parliament.” The draft law proposed by Fifty Fifty suggests instating a 26-seat quota for women in the parliament while enforcing a 40 percent gender quota on candidacy on electoral lists, but it has yet to be reviewed by parliament.

The involvement of the youth in bringing about change is critical, said the Director of the Arab Institute for Women (AiW), Myriam Sfeir. She spoke about the October 17 Uprising and its impact in shifting the dynamic between various women’s rights groups, manifest in how they came together, months later, in the aftermath of the Port of Beirut Explosion, to draft a unified charter of demands.

“The personal is political, and for democratic systems to operate efficiently and professionally, the equal representation and participation of women in politics and public life is a non-negotiable imperative,” said Sfeir. “The argument for women’s political participation is irrefutable – democracy cannot exist nor persist if half of its population is not wholly and equally engaged in decision making – nothing about us, without us,” she concluded.

	MEPI TL students presented their research findings on the representation of women across 22 Arab countries.
	The panel discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping women’s participation in decision-making positions in the Arab world.

Advocating for Sustainable Gender Equity

Tomorrow’s Leaders Gender Scholars present research on timely topics at their second annual, end-of-year conference.

In collaboration with the Arab Institute for Women (AiW), the US Middle East Partnership Initiative Tomorrow’s Leaders Gender Scholars Program (MEPI-TLS) at LAU hosted its second annual end-of-year conference, titled MEPI-TLS Scholars for Sustainable Gender Equality, on June 7 at Irwin Hall.

The conference featured a keynote address by UN Under Secretary General and Executive Director for UN Women Sima Bahous, panel discussions led by gender experts, as well as poster and oral presentations by TLS scholars who reflected on their experiential and evidence-based learning, and recommended strategies and policies for realizing equality, peace and development.

In his welcome address, LAU President Michel E. Mawad expressed his pride in the work of the 126 MEPI-TLS scholars who have successfully completed their journey at LAU – pointing to the university’s roots as a women’s college. “Since day one, this institution has been about women empowerment and gender equality. We have built a university culture around it, producing generations of women leaders who have made a difference,” he said.

On behalf of the university, Dr. Mawad thanked the American people, the US government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Department of State MEPI for their years-long generosity that has produced outstanding results in terms of academic programs, research, advocacy and activism.

“The programs that we are able to launch and support thanks to MEPI have been among the most impactful of any programs we offer, and their effect can be felt in multiple ways, in Lebanon and the region,” added Dr. Mawad.

Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, Janae Cooley, opened her address with words of encouragement and advice for TLS scholars as they begin their professional journey. She emphasized  that the US government is currently investing more than $70 million in the MEPI-TL programs, which includes the undergraduate, graduate and college-to-work pipeline programs, alongside TLS. 

Addressing the scholars, she said: “You are the heart of a growing and vibrant culture of gender studies at LAU, and your journey on this program could not have been possible without the people that supported you – the distinguished professors, the experts and the activists, so I would like to thank them as well for being champions of social justice and gender equality, and I would like to recognize the LAU team’s effort in managing this scholarship program.”

In her recorded keynote address, Sima Bahous spoke about the reality of the gender gap in the Arab world, providing the latest figures on women’s participation in the workforce, women’s political participation, and the caretaking roles that women fill in Arab societies.

Giving an example, Bahous noted that “Arab women took 41 percent of all pandemic-related job losses, reaching a female labor force participation low of 20.8 percent – the largest gender gap among all regions, globally.”

That is why, she continued, “your work on women’s economic empowerment, women’s participation and the media has never been more needed at this time of interlocking crises and deepened inequalities.”

To that end, TLS Academic Director and Assistant Professor Lina Kreidieh took the stage to underline the importance of “teaching and empowering our youth on the impact of gender discrimination and the need to push for positive, transformative change,” which is at the core of the TLS program.

Before transitioning to the panel portion of the event, AiW Director Myriam Sfeir highlighted how the institute mainstreams gender in all courses at LAU – one of them being the TLS program. “The institute works closely with the students and invites them to seminars, conferences, and webinars, as well as engages them with internships,” she said, adding that AiW had recently recognized the work of student researchers by publishing their work in a special edition of Al Raida journal.

The conference included three student panels: “Ensuring a Safe and Inclusive Workplace for a More Sustainable Development,” moderated by LAU Title IX Director and LAU-MEPI TL Gender Expert Jennifer Skulte-Ouaiss; “Diversity and Inclusion for Sustainable Peace and Security,” moderated by UN Women Mediation Advisor Karma Ekmekji; and “The Representation and Reception of Gender and Sexuality in Media,” moderated by LAU Assistant Professor of Multimedia Journalism and Communication Gretchen King.

Delivering the closing remarks, MEPI-TL Program Executive Director Dina Abdul Rahman reflected on how the program has offered means of “support and inspiration and has been a driver for us to move on, despite prevailing challenges in Lebanon.”

In a parting message to the graduating TLers, she invited them to have hope, reassuring them that “today proves to all of you that you can change the world by taking everything one step, one issue and one person, at a time.”   

LAU Leads the Way with New Family Leave Policy

The university seals a project aimed at parental policy change on the national level by revising its own.

The project, which also strives to promote access to healthcare for disadvantaged women, serves as an entry point to gender equality.

On 16 December, LAU hosted the closing ceremony of an innovative project funded by the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative (US-MEPI) that addresses parental leave policies within the private and public sectors in Lebanon.

Led by the Arab Institute for Women (AiW), the project titled Equality for Everyone: Gender Reform from Grassroots to Government involved drafting a parental leave law in close collaboration with the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) that was endorsed by several MPs and was already proposed in the Lebanese parliament.

A highlight of the virtual event was an announcement by LAU President Michel E. Mawad that the university is developing a new family leave policy extending the duration of the maternity leave from 10 to 15 weeks and granting, for the first time in the history of Lebanon, a 10-day paternity leave. The draft of the policy is being finalized and will be submitted to the Board of Trustees in March 2022.

“We are proud to be the first institution in the country to work on such a policy and to entice our government to follow suit and approve the law advocated by the National Commission for Lebanese Women,” Dr. Mawad said. “In so doing, LAU is simply being true to its mission and culture and faithful to the legacy of Sarah Huntington Smith and the fulfillment of her vision. We so much look forward to seeing the whole country and region follow suit.”

US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy C. Shea, who was at the event, commended “LAU for adopting reforms like the enhanced parental leave program and the creation of family-friendly facilities as it strives to be the first Lebanese institution to implement this important policy.”

Through this project, AiW worked closely with private companies, members of the Lebanese League for Women in Business and NGOs who were willing to consider reviewing their parental leave policies and childcare benefits despite the current economic crisis. It also conducted a national advocacy campaign online via social media platforms, and offline via a TV commercial aired on three national TV stations, reaching close to 2.6 million people in Lebanon.

NCLW President Claudine Aoun Roukoz stressed the importance of increasing women’s participation in the job market with the worsening economic crisis, to stop more families from falling into the cycle of poverty.

To that end, she expressed her hope that parliament would pass the legal amendment that, in addition to recognizing parental leave, “would extend maternity leave to 15 weeks, allow an hour during work hours to pump milk to the infant, provide incubators for the young children of male and female workers, and prohibit discrimination in wages and other benefits.”

The project, which also strives to promote access to healthcare for disadvantaged women and serves as an “entry point to gender equality,” said AiW Director Myriam Sfeir, “proved to be a successful partnership between all actors involved.”

Dr. Jennifer Skulte-Ouaiss, the director of Title IX at LAU and project manager presented LAU as a pilot for parental leave reform. Findings from research conducted by LAU faculty members within the context of the project were also revealed during the closing ceremony.

Dr. Ali Fakih, associate professor and associate chair of the Department of Economics at the Adnan Kassar School of Business produced a white paper and a research paper on family-friendly work practices in Lebanon; Assistant Professors of Clinical Psychology, Dr. Pia Tohme and Dr. Rudy Abi Habib investigated the “Predictors of Work Productivity and Maternal Competence after Having a Baby;” and former researcher at the AiW, Jana Mourad, co-wrote a paper with Dr. Skulte-Ouaiss on “Women and Work During the COVID-19 and Other Crises.”

“Implementing this project despite all the challenges brought about by the compounded crisis Lebanon is passing through and in light of the global pandemic that warrants to be considered a generation-defining event whose impact has been far detrimental when it comes to gender, was challenging,” concluded Sfeir. “But we did it and managed to push for amendments on the level of our own institution so as not to talk the talk without walking the walk.”

Maha Shaheen’s Journey: Empowering Women in Leadership with EWAP

Selected among talented Egyptian women living abroad, Maha underwent holistic training to enhance her skills and industry knowledge. Through the program’s online format, she effectively managed her commitments while immersing herself in a rich learning environment. Networking with like-minded Egyptian women abroad provided her with invaluable connections and mentorship opportunities.

The impact of the EWAP fellowship was substantial. Maha gained enhanced knowledge and a diverse skillset, increasing her employability and expanding her professional network. Beyond personal growth, the program contributes to advancing Egyptian women in various fields and identifies exceptional leaders for key positions within Egypt. The collaborative efforts of the National Training Academy, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and Ministry of State for Emigration and Egyptians Affairs Abroad ensure the successful implementation of the program.

Aligned with the MEPI strategic framework, EWAP promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa region. By fostering diverse and inclusive STEM workforces, the program fuels innovation and drives economic growth. It also strengthens partnerships between government, academia, and civil society, nurturing human capital and creating lasting impacts.

Maha’s journey reached significant milestones. She successfully defended her graduation project, showcasing her academic excellence. Furthermore, she was selected for an exclusive live-streaming session organized by the National Training Academy, highlighting her achievements and inspiring others. Additionally, she had the privilege of participating in a summer field trip, exploring Egypt’s new capital and witnessing its remarkable landmarks and mega-economic projects.

Maha’s accomplishments serve as an inspiration for aspiring leaders, emphasizing the significance of equal opportunities for women in all fields. With her newfound knowledge, skills, and network, Maha is ready to create a positive impact in her chosen field and contribute to the advancement of women’s empowerment in Egypt and beyond.

Maha Shaheen, a MEPI-TLG scholar at LAU, embarked on a life-changing journey with the Egyptian Women Abroad Program (EWAP). This prestigious presidential fellowship, initiated by the Egyptian Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, aims to address the underrepresentation of Egyptian women in STEM fields and cultivate their leadership potential.

Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholars Present their Papers in Egypt

https://news.lau.edu.lb/2023/advancing-the-united-nations-sustainable-development-goals-tomorrows-leaders-scholars-present-their-.php

At the Third Annual Middle East Partnership Initiative-Tomorrow’s Leaders Conference, the scholars tackle migration, gender, health sciences, education, economics, political sciences and international affairs, and contribute to the conversations around the SDGs.

From emigration and food insecurity to overeducation and the impact of Lebanon’s fuel price hikes, timely topics were the focus of wide-ranging and enriching presentations by LAU students who took part in the Third Annual Conference on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), organized by the Middle East Partnership Initiative Tomorrow’s Leaders Program (MEPI-TL).

The three-day symposium included 19 panel discussions, four debates and 80+ research paper presentations, and was hosted by the American University in Cairo (AUC) this summer.

The conference focused on climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion, bringing together 80 MEPI-TL presenters from the American University in Beirut (AUB), LAU, and AUC to discuss pressing global challenges.

It is noteworthy that the LAU scholars contributed to the conference with a total of 33 graduate scholars, three Gender Scholars, and two undergraduates, who delivered a total of 38 presentations. Additionally, seven faculty members took part in panel discussions.

Students brought their positive experience back to campus, reflecting on how they had connected with like-minded individuals, gained insights and networked with professionals from various fields.

“The conference was filled with enriching knowledge sharing, engaging presentations and discussions. I had the opportunity to network with and learn from other researchers,” said TLGer Zeina Lizzaik, who graduated this year with a master’s degree in Applied Economics.

Faculty members expressed their admiration for the students’ presentations and highlighted the engaging format of the conference, which included debates and interactive discussions.

“It was fascinating seeing the efforts of our students materialize and witnessing the level of impact their research has on providing valuable context and content for solutions to pressing issues facing the world,” said LAU MEPI-TL Executive Director Dina Abdul Rahman.

All in all, the conference was a resounding success for LAU Tomorrow’s Leaders graduate scholars. It fostered collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation among attendees. The students benefited from the conference to learn, connect, and make a positive impact, setting the stage for future endeavors in sustainable development.

	Faculty members expressed their admiration for the students’ presentations and highlighted the engaging format of the conference, which included debates and interactive discussions.
	Students brought their positive experience back to campus, reflecting on how they had connected with like-minded individuals, gained insights and networked with professionals from various fields.
	From LAU, a total of 33 graduate scholars, three Gender Scholars, and two undergraduates delivered a total of 38 presentations, while seven faculty members took part in panel discussions.