UNFPA & UNICEF Launch a New Programme Funded by Sweden to Protect & Empower Women & Girls in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon – [31 October 2025] – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched a new joint programme, “Mustaqbali Khayari” (My Future, My Decision) with generous funding from the Embassy of Sweden. In close collaboration with the Ministries of Social Affairs and Public Health, and in partnership with local women-lead and civil society organizations, this two-year initiative is designed to protect vulnerable women and girls in Lebanon from all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices, with a focus on child marriage.
Lebanon continues to struggle with compounding crises, including economic challenges, political instability, and strain on essential services. This multi-faceted crisis has intensified protection risks for communities, including child marriage, which particularly impacts vulnerable adolescent girls.
H.E. Ambassador of Sweden to Lebanon, Jessica Svärdström stated that “The Government of Sweden is very happy to support the health and social needs of all women and girls in Lebanon, including Syrian refugees.”
The “Mustaqbali Khayari” programme aims at empowering adolescent girls and providing them with skills building opportunities, to make informed choices within a safe and supportive environment. The programme also focuses on enhancing integrated reproductive health and protection services, including mental health and psychosocial support, as well as strengthening national systems through capacity building for caseworkers, psychologists, and frontline health workers on trauma-informed care and ethical service provision. It builds on the global UNFPA-UNICEF Programme to End Child Marriage as well as on “QUDWA,” Lebanon’s first National Social and Behavioral Change program aimed at reducing child marriage by addressing its social and behavioral drivers and promoting positive community behaviors.
UNFPA Lebanon Representative, Anandita Philipose said “This joint programme is our commitment to creating a world where every woman and girl can enjoy dignity and equality, living free from all forms of violence and harm. In partnership with the Embassy of Sweden, the joint programme aims to empower adolescent girls, challenge harmful norms, and strengthen national systems to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. It is a testament to our critical work in delivering stronger results together for the women and girls of Lebanon”.
“Every girl deserves the chance to grow, learn, and make her own choices free from violence or coercion. Through the generous support of Sweden, we are investing in the power and potential of girls ensuring they are protected, informed, and supported to shape their own futures,” said Marcoluigi Corsi, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon. “This programme is a proof of what can be achieved when we come together to advance gender equality and safeguard the rights and dignity of every child.”
This programme is designed using a systemic approach, it combines the technical expertise of both UN agencies, leveraging proven social and behavioral change interventions at the community level with youth empowerment, engagement with caregivers in gender transformative parenting programmes, and access to quality sexual and reproductive health and protection services to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and drive necessary social change