Empowering Women in Lebanon by Developing their Skills

With the worsening living crises in Lebanon on various social, economic and health levels…, the Lebanese people are suffering under the weight of daily pressures and many challenges that restrict them and reduce their usual activities. Therefore, and out of its belief in the necessity of supporting the neediest and most vulnerable groups, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its social services in order to restore hope to many brothers and sisters who have drowned in despair.

In this context, the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department, Lebanon’s Office, held, during December 2023, five soft skills training courses, in which a group of 10 women participated, with the aim of empowering them and developing their abilities. These sessions were implemented at a time when many of them are suffering from the difficult circumstances that surround them, especially since some of them are either unable to find decent jobs or are holding on to meager low-paying ones.

The sessions included segments during which the participants were accompanied by a specialized trainer, and learned a new soft skill which they can use to manufacture and sell their own products, and thus secure a source of income for them. Noting that this skill requires simple tools that they may find in their homes or in small stores, such as ropes and plastic bottles...

In addition to the added value these sessions had for the women’s livelihood prospects, they allowed the women to feel good about themselves by raising their self-esteem and self-worth, enhancing their activity. Noting that these sessions contributed to bridging the distances between the participants, and were implemented with the support of the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) organization, at the Our Lady Dispensary, affiliated with the Middle East Council of Churches, in the Sabtieh region - Lebanon.