Building women’s capacities for leadership and local participation in Baalbaq

In anticipation of the municipal elections, the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) in Baalbaq launched on February 26 a new project for building women’s leadership and participation skills. The event which was organized in collaboration with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) was held under the patronage and presence of Baalbaq-Hermel governor, Bashir Khudr. On the occasion, LOST president, Rami Lakkis, pointed out to the participation of some 120 women who have been selected from the training groups in the towns of Hermel, Shaath, Labweh, Deir al Ahmar, Shmistar and Timneen al Fawka, noting that the training has covered various topics related to leadership, participation in local and municipal action. Lakkis underlined the primary goal of the endeavor which is to engage women in the local development action in order to promote the values of governance, notably fighting corruption, increasing productivity and achieving justice, prosperity and sustainability of work. Similarly, Khudr said that he hopes to see a greater participation of women, as candidates and voters, in the upcoming municipal elections, away from any political manipulation. “Women, up bringers need to be responsible. They should struggle to raise their children on the respect of women’s rights, including their right to assume senior positions and participate in the public life,” Khudr went on to say. And in a special address to women, he concluded “the responsibility for changing the patriarchal mentality lies on you.” (L’Orient Le Jour, February 27, 2016)