A longtime advocate of the social and economic empowerment of women, LAU has renewed its collaboration with the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) in their shared commitment to promote women’s rights and gender equality through scientific research, education, training, policy development, advocacy, and community action.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the First Lady and NCLW President Mrs. Nehmat Aoun, and LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah at the commission’s headquarters in Baabda, on June 30, 2026, in the presence of LAU Provost George Nasr; Executive Director of the Arab Institute for Women (AiW) Myriam Sfeir, who is also a member of the NCLW and heads the Violence Against Women committee; members of the commission; the AiW team; and an LAU delegation.

The NCLW is an official body established by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers to promote women’s rights in Lebanese society and integrate gender equality in public policies and programs adopted by ministries and public institutions. In its executive capacity, it leads and implements national strategies and programs for women, and conducts and participates in research, seminars, and workshops related to women and gender equality.

The partnership between the AiW and NCLW dates back more than two decades. Notably, their joint project addressing child marriage was among the first initiatives in Lebanon aimed at shedding light on this practice as a serious violation of children’s rights and human rights.

Over time, the number of projects grew, and the partnership expanded to encompass a wide range of collaborative initiatives. This recent MOU represents a continuation of previous joint efforts while introducing new channels for cooperation between the institute and the commission.

The agreement, said Mrs. Aoun at the ceremony, aims to promote gender equality and enable women to play a role in Lebanese society at various levels through the exchange of information and expertise, joint research and publications, initiatives, and conferences, among other activities. LAU students will also be afforded internship and training opportunities at the NCLW to foster their commitment to gender equality and equity.

This is a “fundamental step to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions and aim to achieve a real and consistent impact on the issues of women and the Lebanese society as a whole,” she added.

Remarking on this history between the university and the commission, President Abdallah noted that AiW’s former Director, the late Ms. Mona Chemali Khalaf, was a founding member of the NCLW, and that AiW founder, the late Dr. Julinda Abu Nasr, was also a member of its board. This relationship continues with Ms. Sfeir serving on the NCLW board, he added.

“We aim to enhance the relationship between scientific research, knowledge production, political support, and policies based on data-informed evidence,” said President Abdallah. “We also seek to build capabilities and train students to raise awareness and promote dialogue.”

Commenting on the new framework for collaboration set by the MOU that will advance their shared commitment to women’s rights, Ms. Sfeir noted that the NCLW’s institutional mandate, as Lebanon’s national women’s machinery, “enables it to advocate for the development, adoption, and implementation of new laws and policy reforms addressing women’s issues at the national legislative level.”