Outcome LBN_D_3.2

Strengthened security, stability, justice, and social peace.

During 2024, UN Women continued its efforts to advance the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in Lebanon despite the significant challenges facing the country, working both at the policy level and within communities in line with the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus approach. Activities under this project were adapted to the risks and challenges arising throughout the year, while women peacebuilders and mediators stepped up their role to lead in social cohesion and humanitarian actions across the country. At national level, the National Commission of Lebanese Women (NCLW) continued its work to develop, implement and evaluate the NAPs on UNSCR 1325, and has been mandated by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers to work on a second NAP. Seven national institutions demonstrated commitment to the validation and implementation of the WPS agenda in Lebanon; three ministerial plans were developed in line with the NAPs’ logical frameworks; and four civil society actors meaningfully participated in, influenced and monitored the implementation of WPS commitments in Lebanon through collaborating with NCLW. Following its launch in 2024, the Women Peacebuilding Network in Lebanon (WPNL) expanded its membership from 17 to 35 women peacebuilders paving the way for a subsequent shift from a community of practice to a full-fledged advocacy body. WPNL statements and appeals during the war promoted the voices of women peacebuilders and advocated for priorities at the core of the country’s peace efforts. Additionally, WPNL contributed to the development of NAP II through two targeted consultations with NCLW. At community level, a total of 134 women mediators and peacebuilders from across the country had more opportunities to participate and lead in social cohesion and conflict prevention efforts as a result of this project. Women mediators also played a crucial role in the humanitarian response as the war in Lebanon erupted, bridging the gaps between immediate relief efforts, long-term development goals, and peacebuilding initiatives, while ensuring that solutions are more inclusive, sustainable, and effective. Forty-four (44) women benefited from emergency cash assistance for protection issues arising from the conflict and displacement.

Strengthened security, stability, justice, and social peace.

In 2023, progress was made towards strengthening security, stability, justice and social peace. Achievements included 1) more than 3900 targeted individuals (3318 adult women, 143 men, 511 individuals of diverse SOGIESC, and 5 girls) across Lebanon increasing in their capacities and knowledge to participate in peacebuilding efforts across the country through the efforts of 24 women-led grassroot civil society organization supported by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF); 2) 306 women across 20 women peacebuilding and mediation groups reaffirmed their commitments to promoting sustainable peace; and 3) 25 senior women from Traditional Political Parties (TPP) and Emerging Political Movements (EPM) engaged in a dialogue process. A total of 306 women across 20 women peacebuilding and mediation groups reaffirmed their commitments to promoting sustainable peace and human security through leading inclusive political dialogue processes and reconciliation and mediation processes at the national and subnational levels through UN Women’s support. These women reported changes in their personal views and levels of trust and understanding with women from different backgrounds because of their engagement in peacebuilding processes. In addition, at the national level, 25 senior women from Traditional Political Parties (TPP) and Emerging Political Movements (EPM) engaged in a dialogue process characterized as an informal, inclusive, safe space for women political actors oriented towards a “stable and reconciled Lebanon” (vision set by the women political actors). The dialogue process is a) political dialogue table where women political actors meet with key policy stakeholders to discuss and shape policies relates to peace and security that is relevant towards a stable and reconciled Lebanon; and b) a knowledge and skills space, which offers women political actors the possibility to increase their knowledge on issues discussed at the dialogue table related to civil peace and security in addition to relevant skills, such as negotiation Through the WPHF, 24 women-led grassroot civil society organization working on women participation and peacebuilding enhanced their role in advocating for and ensuring accountability on Women Peace and Security commitments. More than 3900 targeted individuals (3318 adult women, 143 men, 511 individuals of diverse SOGIESC, and 5 girls) across Lebanon witnessed an increase in their capacities and knowledge to participate in peacebuilding efforts across the country. As a result. these women created 17 committees in South Lebanon and west Bekaa to implement initiatives responding to the needs of their communities, three clubs promoting debate as a medium to resolve conflicts and conducting peacebuilding initiatives and one safe space that served as medium for people of diverse SOGIESC to participate and include their voices in the national discourse of peacebuilding, stability and security. Furthermore, Syrian and Lebanese women created and performed original theatre plays focusing on women role in justice, social cohesion, and social peace.