As the annual 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV) begins, I find myself reflecting on the active role that women in Lebanon play in times of conflict and war—especially those enduring the violence along the Lebanese southern border with Occupied Palestinian Territories, or what is referred to as “Israel”.
#16 Days: Role of Women Peacebuilders in the Israeli War on Lebanon
In regions close to the border, women like my grandmother have been driven from their homes with little hope of a swift return. Her home, a ground-floor house with a small backyard garden, was where our family gathered for meals and birthday celebrations. Surrounded by vibrant, colorful flowers, she would wake up early in the morning to water them and pick fresh vegetables for the day’s meals. I remember sitting on the balcony, watching as her neighbors strolled through the neighborhood, and how she would always invite them for morning coffee.
In early October 2023, she was forced to leave the home that gathers her loved ones—her neighbors, relatives, daughters, sons, and grandchildren. Every corner held stories—not just for her, but for everyone who stepped in —of quiet mornings sharing a cup of coffee on the balcony and shared meals at the dining table. For more than a year now, she has been dreaming of returning, wondering whether the house still stands or if it has been demolished, as it was in 2006. Each day she waits, the longing for a return grows. Each day she waits, a wound deepens beyond physical displacement—it’s a loss of belonging, security, and identity.
Being originally from the South of Lebanon, I have witnessed firsthand how Israeli aggression and the weight of history have impacted our lives and homes. The 2006 Israeli War, which I lived through, was a reminder of our vulnerability. Now again, Lebanon faces intensified war with Israel, and displacement from home is a grim reality for 1.4 million people , 520,000 of whom are women. For many women forced to flee, displacement comes with an even greater burden of care for survival.
Women assume the heavy burden of care in times of crisis and war, often without compensation or recognition. Traditionally expected to look after their families, crumbling state infrastructure and limited support networks, have pushed women to fill these gaps, whether it is organizing community support for the elderly or creating safe spaces for children.
And still, women continue to lead, to organize, and to support one another. Some, like local women mediators trained in South Lebanon, have become essential figures in peacebuilding efforts. They work to defuse tensions, promote non-violence, and support displaced women. These mediators, often displaced themselves, bring stability, offer psychological support and basic needs where possible. For instance, Samar, a mediator who was undergoing cancer treatment, offered psychological support to other displaced women while dealing with the trauma of displacement, her own health conditions, and the stress of constant shelling. This is a powerful example of the strength and determination of women mediators to support others in times of war.
Frameworks like Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) recognize the role women play in building peace in Lebanon’s ongoing war, emphasize the need for women’s voices in peace processes, challenging traditional security frameworks that often overlook their contributions. Women’s voices need not only be heard but integrated into decision-making at all levels. This means supporting women leaders in local communities with the tools and resources to contribute effectively to peace efforts.
Let us not forget the intersectional needs of women, girls, and marginalized groups, including refugees, migrant domestic workers, and the LGBTQAI+ community. For instance, many migrant domestic workers have been left stranded in the streets of Lebanon as employers flee the ongoing war, leaving them homeless and with no access to shelter, food, or basic aid due to their exclusion from government-run shelters and services.
Essential services—such as healthcare, education, and legal support—must be tailored to the needs of marginalized groups during conflict and war. International organizations, governments, and local NGOs must work together to ensure that these services reach the most vulnerable, particularly those who are displaced and facing multiple layers of violence.
The lives and contributions of women in Lebanon are often shaped by the scars of war and displacement, but these experiences do not define them. This 16 Days of Activism campaign is a call to recognize and amplify their stories—to show that behind the headlines, there are women who resist, who care, and who continue to rebuild.
Written By Carla Akil
Carla Akil is the Assistant to the Director at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University of Beirut (AUB). She is a feminist researcher and aspiring social anthropologist with over three years of experience in gender research and activism, project management, and civil society engagement across the SWANA/MENA region. With a background in psychology and anthropology, her main research interests include social justice, social movements, women’s rights, feminist activism, and the non-profit sector.
Photos used in this blog were taken by the author.