For International Women’s Day 2025, the UN celebrates the central role of women and girls in leading, healing and rebuilding Lebanon

Thirty years ago, world leaders promised a future where gender equality was a reality. Today, that vision is at risk. The pace of progress is too slow, too fragile, too uneven. If nothing changes, a girl born today will wait decades for the rights she deserves: 68 years before child marriage ends, nearly 40 years for women to hold equal seats in parliament, and over a century before extreme poverty for women and girls is eradicated.

In Lebanon, the stakes are even higher, and the urgency is even more pronounced. Between October 2023 and late November 2024, the country saw an escalation of hostilities with Israel. This resulted in casualties, mass displacement and heightened socioeconomic vulnerabilities among the population. As of 24 November 2024, close to 900,000 individuals were displaced due to the conflict, with women and girls making up 51 per cent of this population.[1] Of an estimated 260,000 households, close to 21 per cent were women-led households.[2] 

“Women, who represented over half of those displaced, have played a pivotal role in providing aid, running shelters, hosting displaced individuals, and fostering solidarity. Their strength, resilience, and leadership during Lebanon’s crisis have been remarkable,” 

said Imran Riza, the United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon. “But recognizing their efforts and contributions is not enough; we must address the barriers limiting their participation in decision-making to unlock their full potential for future recovery efforts.” 

On International Women's Day 2025, through the #ForAllWomenAndGirls #لكل_النساء_والفتيات campaign, the United Nations in Lebanon is putting a spotlight on the situation of women and girls across Lebanon. The UN Lebanon communications campaign kicks off today, on 8 March, on the social media platforms of UN agencies in Lebanon, with social media assets, an electronic press kit and a video featuring Lebanese actress Pierrette El Katrib, highlighting the role of women in shaping Lebanon’s future. 

Led by UN Women, the campaign is both a celebration and a call to action – highlighting the indispensable role of women and girls in Lebanon in the conflict response, recovery and future reconstruction efforts. 

“Women in Lebanon have been at the forefront of crisis response, as leaders, first responders and peacebuilders in times of crisis, yet their voices remain sidelined. They are shaping recovery and rebuilding efforts, yet they remain excluded from key decisions that impact their lives and futures,” said Gielan Elmessiri, UN Women Representative in Lebanon. “We will not allow the promises of Beijing to be deferred to the next generation. Gender equality is not just a human right – it is the key to a more equal and just Lebanon.”

In 1975, during International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March. The date is now marked worldwide as a day when women are recognized for their achievements, persistent challenges are acknowledged, and advocacy is ramped up for the path forward for change.

About the United Nations

The United Nations system in Lebanon comprises 26 agencies, funds and programmes, as well as a peacekeeping mission, a political mission, and a regional commission that cover a broad spectrum of peacekeeping, political, development, human rights and humanitarian work in Lebanon. The United Nations supports Lebanon to promote the country’s long-term peace and security, development and human rights priorities.