Amid the economic, social, and political challenges Lebanon is facing, women emerge as a fundamental pillar in building a more stable and prosperous society.
While many Lebanese women strive to achieve their aspirations and contribute to rebuilding the economy, the Women Leaders Association (WLA) serves as a supportive platform to empower women and enhance their leadership roles across various fields.
Today, we host Mrs. Madiha Raslan, President of the Association, who has dedicated her efforts to supporting female entrepreneurs and creating new investment opportunities for them. Through initiatives such as the “Ana Lubnaniya Arabia” conference, the association aims to highlight the success stories of Lebanese women and connect them with Arab women and networks of local and international support.
In this interview, we discuss with Mrs. Raslan her vision for the role of women in strengthening the Lebanese economy, the challenges they face, and the recent political developments, including the election of General Joseph Aoun as President and the appointment of Nawaf Salam to form a government. We also explore their impact on promoting women’s presence in all sectors in Lebanon.
1. How do you evaluate the role of the Women Leaders Association in enhancing the participation of Lebanese women in economic, social, and political fields?
Since its establishment in 2018, the Association has sought to support women and accompany them across all sectors. Women-owned companies in Lebanon account for only 5%, a very small percentage. Increasing this share would directly contribute to GDP growth, reflecting positively on women’s role in both the economy and society.
The WLA plays a vital role in helping Lebanese women achieve their ambitions. We focus on boosting their economic participation through collaborations with economic bodies, offering input on initiatives, and addressing the private sector’s needs. We also support our members through training, mentorship, networking, and lobbying to achieve our goals. Additionally, we showcase success stories via our platforms and networks.
For example, the “Ana Lubnaniya Arabia” conference, first held at Expo Dubai and later in Beirut, reflects our perspective as women on Lebanon’s economic positioning and its natural role among Arab nations. We envision Lebanon’s economic role within this framework.
We were thrilled to hear the President’s inaugural address affirming Lebanon’s Arab identity, as stated in the Constitution. This reinforces our focus on restoring strong relations with our Arab brothers. The conference’s name itself underscores the importance of networking with Arab women and fostering new partnerships across the region and in Lebanon.
This annual conference is one of our flagship initiatives, bringing together women from various sectors to exchange ideas and experiences. The first edition was highly successful, and we are excited to announce the upcoming third edition soon.
2. What are the main challenges facing Lebanese women today, and how does the Association address them?
The challenges women face are the same as those confronting men in society. In today’s business environment, a shared challenge is access to funding. This underscores the urgent need for structural financial and economic reforms to stabilize private sector operations.
Restoring natural relations between Lebanon and Arab nations, particularly with Saudi Arabia, is essential. This would stimulate both the private and public sectors and revitalize the economy.
3. With the election of General Joseph Aoun as President and the appointment of Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister, what are your expectations for women’s roles in the political sphere moving forward?
We extend our congratulations to President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam. We also celebrate the appointment of Ms. Najat Sharafeddine as spokesperson for the presidency and Ms. Jeanne Mourad as Diplomatic Affairs Advisor. These steps provide women with prominent and positive representation, signaling a promising outlook.
This marks a new, optimistic chapter for Lebanon. The President’s inaugural speech resonated with the aspirations of all Lebanese citizens, while Prime Minister Salam’s nomination reflects international confidence in his diplomatic and judicial expertise.
We hope the coming phase will witness an enhanced role for women in politics—not only as voters but as decision-makers. Lebanese women have proven their capabilities across various fields, and it is time to expand their involvement in shaping governmental policies that impact the country’s future.
4. How do you see these political developments impacting women’s empowerment and their participation in decision-making?
Although I oppose the concept of gender quotas, I believe they are essential at this stage. Women have demonstrated they are a necessity, not a luxury. They are integral to the country’s growth and development.
I prefer to discuss creating opportunities for women to excel in society rather than simply empowering them. If these political advancements translate into concrete policies supporting women, we could witness positive transformation.
We need government plans that prioritize appointing women, particularly given Lebanon’s ongoing crises.
5. What initiatives or future projects is the Association working on to support female entrepreneurs in Lebanon?
We are working on establishing an investment fund for female entrepreneurs. Additionally, we focus on offering specialized training programs designed to empower women in business and help them develop their projects by equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for success and sustainability.
Moreover, we organize prominent international conferences, such as I am Lebanese, Arab, to foster connections and build strategic partnerships. These efforts open new horizons for women to expand their businesses and enter new markets.
We are proud to be a leading platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences among Arab women. Our initiatives also include innovative programs that enhance women’s craftsmanship, such as Jazzmin, supporting the development of artisanal and creative industries to contribute to their economic empowerment.
Recognizing the importance of keeping pace with global trends, we place significant emphasis on artificial intelligence and digital innovation, enabling women to adopt and leverage these technologies to advance their businesses in an ever-evolving world.
6. How can women’s associations collaborate with government entities to achieve common goals in empowering women?
As citizens of the state, we must always strive to enhance its role. We regularly present our ideas and initiatives to the relevant ministries and seek to translate them into practical outcomes.
Collaboration requires a shared vision and a clear strategy. This can be achieved through partnerships with ministries and public institutions, alongside integrating women’s issues into the national agenda.
7. What is your assessment of women’s current participation in leadership positions in Lebanon, and what steps are needed to increase this participation?
Currently, women represent 6% of parliamentary members, a percentage similar to the share of women-owned companies in Lebanon. However, we aspire for this figure to reach 30% or even 50% in the future.
We are proud of the remarkable Lebanese women who continue to excel, but the current situation remains far from our ambitions. Increasing women’s representation requires enforcing gender quotas, providing legislative support, and raising awareness about the importance of women in leadership.
8. How can Lebanese society change its perception of women’s roles, and what role does the media play in this?
Changing perceptions starts with education and awareness. Media plays a pivotal role in showcasing women’s success stories and challenges, helping to break stereotypes.
Through our conferences and programs, we strive to build a positive image of women as leaders and agents of change.
The media in Lebanon has increasingly highlighted women’s contributions over time. I commend its role in bringing women to the forefront and advocating for their presence.
Ultimately, the responsibility also lies with women themselves. They must declare: I want to build Lebanon!—and actively pursue that goal.
Let us work together to break outdated barriers and share decision-making responsibilities as men and women. This partnership is not a choice but the only path to overcoming Lebanon’s accumulated crises and building a modern, open, and progressive nation worthy of its people and future generations.