Resource center

Organisation website:
In brief : "Our mission is to provide a virtual room where women from different cultures come together for dialogue and understanding; where impoverishment gives way to empowerment; and where every woman is awakened to the other. This awakening benefits children, men, the earth and all beings.

We believe that when any woman shows up “as she is right now” -- with her authentic voice, personal story, and wisdom -- and when she is truly heard, a shift occurs both for the storyteller and for the listener. Within this shift lies the potential for relationships and the momentum of moving from inspiration to action."

Project webpage:
In 1996, Lebanon ratified, with reservations, an international covenant regarding women's rights known as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. This Convention sets out, in a comprehensive, legally binding form, internationally accepted principles on the rights of women. It further commits States Parties to take all appropriate measures, to ensure the full development and advancement of women and to guarantee them the enjoyment of the fundamental rights and freedoms to which they are entitled, on a basis of equality with men. Moreover, the Convention requires that Governments work to eliminate discrimination against women in public life as well as in private life. Indeed, according to the Convention, women must be as free as men to make choices not only in political and legal sphere, but also in such areas as marriage, the home and family life in general.

To implement women's rights, as stated in the Convention, the establishment of official and non-governmental monitoring mechanisms (national and international) helps ensure that goals are being reached and that legal rights and duties of women are recognized, understood and enforced.

The Lebanese government submitted, in 1999, its initial report regarding the progress made on the implementation of the Convention in its country, to the international monitoring treaty body known as the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against women (CEDAW Committee). Non-governmental organizations are also encouraged to submit a parallel report in conformity with the guidelines set by the CEDAW Committee.

In this respect, the Lebanese NGO Forum, an umbrella organization of various NGOs distributed geographically throughout the Lebanese territory has set a permanent monitoring mechanism entitled Women's Rights Monitor.

This project aims at helping NGOs monitor women's rights and implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in Lebanon by establishing a platform for co-ordination that will, at the national and regional levels:

- Provide information about the Convention and the CEDAW Committee

- Provide guidelines in view of helping NGOs to write their report to the CEDAW Committee

- Establish a set of baseline data regarding women's rights in Lebanon in accordance with the guidelines of the CEDAW

- Elaborate a permanent report regarding women's situation in Lebanon, based on the compiled data

- Establish a bibliography on the subject of women's rights and facilitate the exchange of information and documentation

- Provide a mailing list of participating NGOs

Organisation website:
Association profile available in 2 languages. ( English, Arabic). In brief : "Women in Information Technology (WIT) is a Lebanese non-profit association established in 1 July 2005 and launched in 14 June 2006. It is dedicated to inspire more women to be willing and able to use the new technologies as a tool for their empowerment.WIT serves as a platform for professional women to share and exchange information, toggle issues of concern, implement strategies and search for opportunities with the purpose of strengthening the capacity of all women through the usage of ICT."

Organisation website:
Platform profile available in 3 languages. ( English, Arabic and Dansk). In brief : "WoMen Dialogue is a platform for cooperation and debate on gender and women's rights issues, and for the exchange of knowledge between Danish and Arab civil society. It is provided by KVINFO, the Danish Centre for Information on Gender, Equality and Ethnicity. The site primarily informs about joint partnership activities, but also presents relevant news from Denmark and the Middle East on legal reform processes and community development related to gender, equality and women's rights. "

Organisation website:
Founded in 2009, Bridging the Divide is an innovative non-profit featuring a model that directly connects the American public to local grassroots organizations and activists working overseas on behalf of peace, rights issues, and the promotion of good governance. Bridging the Divide seeks to make meaningful and sustainable advances in global security and justice through:

Direct Engagement: Bridging the Divide seeks to help transform how Americans engage with those less fortunate overseas by connecting them directly with local communities and activist leaders in conflict-affected areas in the Middle East. Through social media and networking technologies, Bridging the Divide facilitates knowledge-sharing about advocacy efforts, and the exchange of financial resources between Americans and on-the-ground organizations overseas.

Smarter Funding: Providing long-term and steady funding to local peace and justice organizations in conflict zones allows them to take the lead in solving their own problems. This results in heightened local ownership and longer-term sustainability.

Accountability: Bridging the Divide promotes good organizational practices through evaluation and certification of organizations overseas. Through technical assistance and regular evaluations of governance, management, and operations, partner organizations improve their accountability and credibility.
Founded in 2009, Bridging the Divide is an innovative non-profit featuring a model that directly connects the American public to local grassroots organizations and activists working overseas on behalf of peace, rights issues, and the promotion of good governance. Bridging the Divide seeks to make meaningful and sustainable advances in global security and justice through:

Direct Engagement: Bridging the Divide seeks to help transform how Americans engage with those less fortunate overseas by connecting them directly with local communities and activist leaders in conflict-affected areas in the Middle East. Through social media and networking technologies, Bridging the Divide facilitates knowledge-sharing about advocacy efforts, and the exchange of financial resources between Americans and on-the-ground organizations overseas.

Smarter Funding: Providing long-term and steady funding to local peace and justice organizations in conflict zones allows them to take the lead in solving their own problems. This results in heightened local ownership and longer-term sustainability.

Accountability: Bridging the Divide promotes good organizational practices through evaluation and certification of organizations overseas. Through technical assistance and regular evaluations of governance, management, and operations, partner organizations improve their accountability and credibility.

Organisation website:
The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.
The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems.

Organisation website:
Anat syria are providing employment to Palestinian refugee women as well as Syrian women.
They are preserving the old textile traditions by learning understanding and practising them. They think that they can only be preserved if modern designs are developed based on the old traditions but at the same time fitting the modern way of life.

Project webpage: Project summary in a portal covering the news of the project WEPASS, by NCLW (National Commission for Lebanese Women). The project aims to empower Lebanese women. Its activities address 'women empowerment' on the personal, social, political and economic levels.

Project webpage:
In 2009, Seeds of Peace launched the “Women's Leadership Training Program for Greater Economic Participation” to create opportunities for its graduates to contribute to the economic empowerment of women in their communities. This important pilot program puts the role of women as full economic participants at the center of efforts to transform regions of historic conflict into more stable and peaceful environments.

Organisation website:
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a leading global charity for international development research, teaching and communications.
IDS was founded in 1966 and enjoys an international reputation based on the quality of its work and its commitment to applying academic skills to real world challenges. Its purpose is to understand and explain the world, and to try to change it – to influence as well as to inform.