The Office of Student Affairs (SAO) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) organized a one-of-a-kind event in honor of International Women’s Day on March 5, whereby the discussion focused on the resilience and power of women, demonstrated in their achievements, as well as the necessity of empowering women. The event saw the participation of notable guests and speakers, including Her Eminency Mother Marie-Antoinette Saade, Superior General of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family; Mother Nazha El Khoury, Superior General of the Antonine Sisters; Mother Bernadette Rouhayem, Superior General of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Princess Hayat Wahab Arslan, Founder of the Committee for Women Political Empowerment and the Civil Society Dialogue Table; MP Nada Boustani, Former Minister of Energy and Water; Dr. Richard Kouyoumjian, Former Minister of Social Affairs; MP Razi El Hage, and MP Said El Asmar.
The panel featured Dr. May Chidiac, President and Founder of the May Chidiac Foundation – Media Institute (MCF-MI); Dr. Raghida Dergham, Founder and Executive Chairman of Beirut Institute; Ms. Caroline Fattal Fakhoury, Entrepreneur and Founder of Stand for Women NGO; Ms. Madiha Raslan , Founder and President of Women Leaders Association; Ms. Annette Maalouf, Founder of Casper & Gambini's; as well as NDU President Fr. Bechara Khoury, Vice-Presidents, Deans, Directors, Faculty, and Staff, accompanied by prominent figures in the political and journalistic fields. The discussion was also moderated by Mr. Jean Nakhoul, Lebanese Journalist and NDU alumnus.
In his address, NDU President Fr. Khoury paid tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patron Saint of the University and the revered First Lady of Christianity, whose unwavering faith and profound humility have inspired generations of believers worldwide. Fr. Khoury then emphasized women's vital role in society, advocating that such recognition shouldn't be confined to ceremonial occasions like Women’s Day. He commended women’s enduring efforts and resilience, particularly acknowledging our duty as a society to praise their remarkable contributions. Fr. Khoury also addressed the necessity of shifting our perception of women, stressing the imperative to provide them with leadership opportunities, given their potential for excellence in various domains.
During the panel discussion, each guest speaker shared insights into their significant contributions to society. Dr. Raghida Dergham initiated the dialogue by reflecting on her humble beginnings and the challenges she faced in accessing education. She highlighted a transformative moment when she asserted her right to education despite financial constraints, which instilled in her the courage to confront adversity in later life. Dergham transitioned to discuss her multifaceted roles in journalism, shedding light on issues close to her heart, particularly those related to women's empowerment. Central to her advocacy efforts was the establishment of the Beirut Institute, a think tank dedicated to empowering women's leadership in politics. Through her initiatives, Dergham aimed to challenge existing barriers and facilitate meaningful change in societal perceptions and structures.
For her part, Dr. May Chidiac explored the myriad challenges faced by women in various professions, especially those in journalism and public visibility. She recounted a tragic assassination attempt that tremendously impacted her, both as a journalist and as a woman. Dr. Chidiac resolved to defy intimidation, leading to the establishment of the "May Chidiac Foundation" dedicated to advocating for freedom of speech and democracy. Dr. Chidiac also reiterated Lebanese citizens’ duty to fight for tangible change to be implemented. She mentioned additional obstacles that she was capable of surmounting, motivating the young audience, particularly women, to actively call out acts of injustice and discrimination.
As for Ms. Caroline Fattal Fakhoury, she provided a comprehensive overview of the persistent challenges confronting women in the workplace. She shared her experience of being the first woman to join her company’s Board of Directors, acknowledging the considerable hurdles she encountered, particularly in light of societal perceptions at the time. Despite these challenges, Fattal Fakhoury persisted in her advocacy for change, recognizing the imperative for such initiatives. She described this milestone as a positive step forward, highlighting the ongoing progress in achieving gender equality while acknowledging the work that still lies ahead. Fattal Fakhoury also detailed her company's efforts to support women's well-being, including regular health check-ups and the introduction of therapy sessions for employees.
When it comes to Ms. Madiha Raslan, she mentioned the significant impact of a fair upbringing on women, stating that empowering a woman early on would increase her awareness of her potential and enhance her ability to navigate the world with confidence and autonomy. Raslan also lauded the upcoming generation’s endeavors to end gender-based discrimination. She detailed her personal efforts to incentivize women involvement in business and investment—those efforts included launching Jazzmin, a retail platform made exclusively for women entrepreneurs and aiming to provide them with an opportunity to shine.
In her turn, Ms. Annette Maalouf addressed the hardships she encountered while managing the food and beverage sector in Lebanon. Maalouf, who continues to play a huge role in the development of this industry, acknowledged enterprise leaders’ responsibility of ensuring that women are protected and treated fairly in the workplace. As the founder of the Casper & Gambini’s chain, Maalouf stated the current economic crisis’ negative repercussions on the food sector, reiterating the importance of persevering amidst the circumstances. As for the role of women, Maalouf insisted that notable progress has been made to achieve equality, stressing that nowadays women do not need to constantly prove their competence—their work and performance speak for themselves.
As the discussion drew to an end, attendees proceeded to ask the speakers questions and share their individual viewpoints related to women empowerment and the power hidden within women’s resilience and triumphs. This insightful exchange underscored the collective commitment to promote gender equality and harness the transformative power of women's empowerment in our society.