First lady Nemaat Aoun at the Baada Presidential Palace, during an event in honor of women on International Women's Day, March 8. (Credit: Photo from the Presidency website)
BEIRUT — Lebanese first lady Neemat Aoun hosted a group of women activists at Baabda Presidential Palace on Saturday to mark International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Aoun praised the women — who included feminist activists, first-aiders, nurses, artists, doctors, environmentalists, social workers, athletes and municipal workers — for their dedication and contributions to Lebanon, particularly during times of crisis.
"You are at the heart of citizenship," she told the attendees. "Thanks to you, Lebanon remains unshakeable."
Aoun said she would push for Nov. 4 to be designated as Lebanese Women's Day, which would be done by a Cabinet decision. "On this day, we will honor all the women who have fought and given so much to this country," she said. "Lebanon cannot survive without Lebanese women, nor rise without them."
The determination of Lebanese women
During the meeting, the first lady shared her experience following the Aug. 4, 2020, Beirut port explosion, recounting how she visited the blast site with her daughter and helped collect aid.
"I witnessed the determination of women who refused to give up," Aoun said, referring to those who took the initiative to assist in the aftermath. "I am convinced that we should not simply rely on help — we are the ones who make it happen. We do not fear crises; we confront them."
She praised the women’s commitment and solidarity, adding, "Lebanon has remained steadfast because you have carried it. Lebanon will rise again, even more beautiful than before, thanks to your will."
Pilot, nurse, journalist, athlete...
Among the 31 women welcomed at Baabda Palace was Pamela Zeinoun, the nurse whose photo of herself rescuing three newborns in incubators at Beirut's Saint George Hospital on Aug. 4, 2020, went viral. Also recognized were Rita Zaher, a pilot in the Lebanese Army; AFP journalist Christina Assi, who was seriously injured in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon; Hania Zaatar, an engineer known for developing an artificial intelligence-powered conversational robot to assist war-displaced people in September 2024.
Others included Hala Dahrouge, who created a platform to aid people in need; taekwondo athlete Laetitia Aoun; and Yasmine Ghamraoui Ziadeh, president of the "Lilkhayr Ana W Anta" (For good, you and I) association.
Also present at the ceremony were teacher Tamar Tufenkjian; entrepreneur Malak Yaqout; Ghina Sandid, a dietitian and president of the Lebanese Diabetes Association; sculptor Hayat al-Nazer; Sandra Salameh, founder of the mental health platform Siira.me; and Racha Sankari, the only female member of Tripoli’s municipal council.
Other attendees included activist Rouba Makarem; entrepreneur Reine Metlej, who invented a machine that converts organic waste into cooking gas and biofertilizer; urban architect Soha Mneimneh; Marina Khawand, founder and president of the NGO Medonations; and Jinane Hayek, who transitioned from a banking career to opening a bakery.
Also present were Wahida Ghalayini, head of the nursing department at Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut; Mira al-Haber, founder of a shelter for stray dogs in Mount Lebanon; Kawthar Harb, from the Lebanese Civil Defense; Nada Frem Hojeily, from the NGO Berrad al-Hay; and children's therapist Asmahan Khalil.
Other attendees included Maria Taouk, Zahra Soueid, Dunia Taouk, Sylvia Libaridian, secretary of the Armenian General Benevolent Union; Caroline Hobeich, Dana Kaidouh, Nadia Abdel Sater, and Iman Assaf.
Tribute from the French ambassador
France’s ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, paid tribute to Lebanese women in a message on X, calling on them to help build a more egalitarian society.
"On this International Women's Rights Day, France reaffirms its commitment to Lebanese girls and women. You are the protagonists of the future to which all Lebanese aspire and of an egalitarian society in which your rights would be fully realized," Magro said.
Lebanese women continue to face legal and social inequalities. Many discriminatory laws do not considered equal to men under the law and lack basic rights in several areas. Women married to foreign nationals cannot pass their Lebanese citizenship to their children or spouses, a right reserved for men. Family laws, known as personal status laws, are based on religious regulations that often discriminate against women, particularly in matters of divorce, child custody, guardianship and inheritance.
Although women outnumber men in higher education, they remain underrepresented in the workforce and politics. Many mothers face structural barriers that discourage them from pursuing careers, while feminist activists have so far been unable to secure gender quotas in elections and government appointments.
Lebanese feminists had hoped for at least 30 percent female participation in newly formed Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government, but only five women were appointed, making up nearly 20 percent of the Cabinet. Among them is Laura al-Khazen Lahoud, the new minister of tourism, whose mother, Mirna Boustany, was the first woman to be elected MP in 1963.
