Hezbollah’s Women’s Affairs Department: What’s behind the sudden emphasis?

While women are already active in many sectors in the party, this marks the first time that Hezbollah’s secretary-general Naim Qassem has publicly addressed their position within the organization.

Qassem spoke on Saturday in the presence of all of Hezbollah’s women institutions, which, according to the party, encompass more than 22,000 women. During the event, he announced the official launch of the Women’s Affairs Department, which he said will play a decisive role.

Qassem spoke at an event held under the banner of the “Fatimid Gathering” (in reference to Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad).

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For the first time, he addressed what he considers the importance of women’s roles within the party — not only in supporting the families of party members and educating children, but also in health care, assistance for the wounded, psychological support, social aid, daily life management and, above all, in “teaching party values.”

Why is Hezbollah’s leadership suddenly highlighting women’s roles? Several factors may explain the move. First, the initiative comes at a critical moment for Hezbollah, which feels under attack from all sides and believes efforts are being made to isolate it, portraying it as belonging to another era — one in which women are marginalized whereas men hold the dominant positions.

One of the goals of this initiative, therefore, is to demonstrate that, contrary to the image the outside world has of it, Hezbollah is aware of the importance of women’s roles.

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Moreover, the party appears concerned that its female supporters, who have suffered heavy losses, could distance themselves. The leadership has therefore sought to pay tribute to women. According to Hezbollah’s circles, it is, in a way, an attempt to “give them their due.”

Additionally, in outlining the various aspects of women’s roles during Saturday’s gathering, Hezbollah made a point of highlighting areas such as the arts, reconstruction, medicine and other fields that are rarely associated with women or even mentioned within the world of Hezbollah.

Within the party’s circles, the idea is put forward that “resistance” can take many forms beyond the military aspect. It exists in thought, education, politics and attachment to the land. According to Hezbollah, these concepts can be more effectively conveyed by women.

Some even speak of an initial transformation within the party, signaling a weakening of its military role (despite belligerent statements) in favor of a social role. Fearing abandonment by the younger generation, Hezbollah is turning to women — and the influence they wield over future generations — to strengthen its position.

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Pending clearer signs of this trend, Hezbollah has also likely sought to demonstrate that it is not merely a military organization. Even if its armed wing may currently be in abeyance, its other branches continue to operate.

The message it appears keen to convey can be summed up as follows: it will be extremely difficult to eliminate the party among its popular base, which remains its main asset.

Its fighters may be killed, but the “spirit of resistance,” in its own words, will not be extinguished as long as women continue to instill it in future generations.

This article originally appeared in French on L'Orient-Le Jour and was translated into English by Joelle El-Khoury.

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