Twenty women from across Lebanon have graduated from the QUDWA programme, an initiative aimed at empowering women working in the informal economy to transition into the formal sector.
The Centre for Women in Business at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) hosted the graduation ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of participants from Tripoli, South Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Baalbeck-Hermel.
Over the past five years, the women have launched and grown small businesses with the support of targeted training provided by OSB faculty. QUDWA’s curriculum focuses on business skills, market access, and confidence-building, with the aim of creating sustainable livelihoods and dignified economic opportunities.
Opening the ceremony, Dr Nada Khaddage-Soboh, director of the Centre for Women in Business, spoke about the importance of investing in women. “We believe that investing in women is an investment in the prosperity of entire communities and the promise of generational transformation—contributing directly to AUB’s mission of changing the world,” she said.
OSB Dean Yusuf Sidani reflected on AUB’s history of women’s inclusion in education. “It was in 1923 that the first female student joined the School of Commerce at AUB, as it was called back then. This reflects broader patterns seen across disciplines—engineering, medicine, and more. We must continue to create space for women to thrive,” he said.
Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen El Sayed, delivered the keynote address, calling for systemic reforms to advance gender equity in the labour market. She emphasised the need for gender-responsive labour laws, flexible work arrangements, and affordable childcare, alongside paternity leave as a right.
Certificates of completion were awarded to graduates and faculty members who contributed to the programme, including Leila Khauli, Dr Hania Hammoud, Dr Jessy Kfoury, Dr Marwan Wahbi, and Dr Neveen Ahmed.
The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Women’s Work in Lebanon: Status, Challenges, and the Path Forward”. Speakers included MP Dr Najat Aoun Saliba; Professor Ali Fakih of the Lebanese American University; Asmahan Zein, CEO of Ardi Ardak SAL; and Rima Freiji, chairwoman of Tanmia Lebanon and president of the Lebanese Private Sector Network.
Panelists addressed issues of visibility, policy support, and economic integration for women in the informal sector. Dr Saliba stressed the need to acknowledge women’s contributions despite limited resources, while Professor Fakih noted Lebanon’s female informal sector participation is below the MENA average of 68%.
Rima Freiji underlined the importance of formalising microbusinesses to protect Lebanon’s formal economy, and Zein expressed confidence that women will be central to Lebanon’s eventual recovery.
The celebration concluded with the QUDWA Market, where graduates showcased their products, demonstrating the marketing and branding skills developed through the programme.
