Promoting women’s economic opportunities through strengthening rural tourism in Lebanon

L’Orient le Jour interviewed Juliana Najem, the director of IMS (Institute of Management & Services) which is part of the PRODES (Promotion et Development Social) association that seeks to strengthen social development in Lebanon through supporting women work in the area of rural tourism as well as in setting up social, developmental, cultural and touristic projects in all areas of Lebanon.
Najem noted that the purpose of setting up IMS in 2004 was to provide vocational training in business and rural tourism as well as to help women students in implementing their projects and linking them with tourism companies, civil society organisations, and municipalities.  She added that the project allowed some 600 women to take part in training workshops.  In addition, 30 women with small enterprises were able to consult with expert so as to improve their skills and the quality of their products.
Finally, Najem concluded by saying that the main aim of IMS and PRODES is to support rural families in generating income and maintain rural traditions, adding that the two organisations have also helped in the setting up the “network of Lebanese women in rural areas” in order to strengthen exchanges and communication amongst women.

Source: L’Orient Le Jour 23 May 2013