Neemat Aoun meets with the UN secretary-general and advocates for Lebanese women

The First Lady of Lebanon and president of the National Commission for Lebanese Women's Affairs, Neemat Aoun, participated in the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, during which she held several meetings, including one with the U.N. Secretary-General, António Guterres.

According to a statement from the presidency, Aoun thanked Guterres for "the support provided by the United Nations and its various agencies to Lebanon."

"She presented him with the situation of Lebanese women and the difficulties they faced during the recent Israeli attacks ... and outlined the programs she plans to implement to support Lebanese women in various fields," the statement added.

The CSW69 is the main global body dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women. It brings together delegations from around the world to discuss progress, ongoing challenges and actions to ensure full and effective participation of women in all sectors of society. This year, the session is chaired by Saudi Arabia.

Aoun is participating in the session alongside the Lebanese delegation, which includes the chargé d'affaires of Lebanon, Hadi Hashem, the adviser for diplomatic affairs at the presidency, Jeanne Mrad, the risk management expert and member of the National Commission, Nathalie Zaarour, as well as the director of Aoun's office, Hala Obeid.

The First Lady also met with the executive director of U.N. Women, Sima Bahous, and thanked her for "the strong partnership between U.N. Women and the Lebanese government in supporting and implementing programs to advance the national women's rights agenda."

"She emphasized her desire, as president of the National Commission for Lebanese Women's Affairs, to explore new prospects for cooperation that take into account the growing challenges facing vulnerable groups, especially women, amid multiple crises," added the presidency.

Bahous reaffirmed U.N. Women's commitment to developing projects and programs aimed at strengthening the role of women as decision-makers and fully integrating them into social stabilization processes, in a framework based on equality and active, constructive partnership.

Aoun also held a series of meetings with the secretary-general of the Family Affairs Council in Saudi Arabia, Maimouna Khalil, the French Minister for Gender Equality, Aurore Bergé, and the Qatari Minister of Social Development and Family, Bouthaina Bint Jaber al-Nouaimi. According to the Lebanese presidential statement, "the discussions focused on policies related to family stability, women's empowerment, and social development, with a particular emphasis on promoting gender equality and strengthening support systems for women and families."

As part of this visit, Lebanon's chargé d'affaires in New York, Majdi Ramadan, is organizing a special reception on Wednesday evening in honor of Aoun, dedicated to Lebanese women.

On the occasion of International Women's Day on Saturday, March 8, Aoun expressed her desire to establish a national "Lebanese Women's Day" at the beginning of November. She also met around 30 "committed" women at Baabda Palace, including feminists, rescue workers, artists and social workers.