Azm University celebrates the International Women’s Day through a Panel with Outstanding Women Leaders

To celebrate the International Women’s Day on March 8, Azm University hosted a panel discussion involving four distinguished leaders discussing their lives and experiences identifying as a woman.

Our panel featured H.E. Dr. Raya Haffar el Hassan, Chairman of Bankmed, Marie Therese Kawal, Head of BAR Association, Tripoli, Lieutenant Rita Zaher, First Lady Lieutenant qualified pilot in the Lebanese Air Force and Joelle Abou Farhat, Co-founder of NGO Fifty-fifty.

The panel was moderated by Ms. Amira Dayeh Rafei, University lecturer. This panel was an opportunity for the University to launch its Women Studies Institute directed by Ms. Dayeh Rafei. This initiative is envisioned as a stepping-stone towards the establishment of an interdisciplinary program that fosters teaching, research, and public programming on gender.

This year’s theme for Intl’ Women Day was: Every day is March 8 at Azm University. This line was conceived to highlight that at Azm University, International Women’s Day is more than just a day – our commitment to gender equality is year-round and is represented through our initiatives and programs tied to advancing women.

As we celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day, the event highlighted the importance of current and future roles of women through focusing on:

• Making a difference and setting new standards in the workplace. Panelists discussed the struggles and successes of creating a workplace free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination; work cultures that are diverse, equitable and inclusive, and ones where differences are valued and celebrated.

• Recognizing the important contributions of women as decision makers, across all fields of study and work.

• The critical role of diversity in the workforce to prevent a narrow and restricted view of the way of women’s capabilities.

• Identifying, empowering, and supporting women of expertise to reach public and political decision-making positions.

• Engaging men in supporting women to achieve gender equality.

• Creating and raising public awareness on gender quota & gender parity.