Issam Fares Institute at AUB signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding with the ministry of state for the economic empowerment of women and youth aimed at convening and leading the research policy group of the National Gender Equality Observatory in Lebanon. The partnership culminates 18 months of cooperation in supervising the work of a research group of academics and activists in gender studies. The purpose of the agreement is to develop plans and methodologies required for an in-depth knowledge of women status in marginalized communities and women refugees, as well as complete evidence-based practice. On the occasion, the acting director of the institute, Dr. Nasser Yaseen, said the institute seeks to inform decision makers and provide them with facts needed to develop feasible national policies and strategies. For her part, minister Violette Safadi, pointed out that the incidence of gender-based violence in Lebanon has significantly increased with growing armed conflict. ( NNA, October 16, 2019)