Download the Project Factsheet
BRIDGE: Building Rights, Dignity and Gender Equality in Lebanon
Introduction
Lebanon continues to face overlapping economic, political, institutional and security challenges that have deepened existing inequalities and placed additional pressure on institutions and communities. Women remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making and continue to face barriers to participation, leadership and protection from violence.
With the support of the Government of Canada, UN Women is implementing BRIDGE: Building Rights, Dignity & Gender Equality in Lebanon (2026–2029), an initiative designed to strengthen women’s leadership and participation, advance gender-responsive governance and accountability, promote positive societal norms, and strengthen prevention and response to violence against women and girls.
BRIDGE builds on the achievements, partnerships and lessons learned from the Women’s Participation in Leadership programme (2022–2025) and is informed by consultations with women leaders, public institutions, civil society organizations, feminist networks, youth actors and community stakeholders across Lebanon.
Our Strategy for Change
To achieve its goals, the project adopts a multi-layered, transformative approach that tackles the interconnected structural, institutional and social barriers to gender equality and women’s empowerment across the micro, meso and macro levels:
Level 1 – Micro
At the micro level, the project focuses on empowering women and girls in all their diversity to exercise voice, agency, and leadership within their families, communities, and institutions. It strengthens their capacities, confidence, and networks to participate meaningfully in public life and to access quality, survivor-centered, and multisectoral services for protection, justice, and recovery from all forms of gender-based violence. It also ensures that targeted vulnerable groups, such as refugees, migrant workers, women with disabilities, and women and girls of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, benefit equitably from these interventions, contributing to the realization of the principle of leaving no one behind.
Read more
close
Level 2 – Meso
At the meso level, the project works to establish an enabling environment by reinforcing community and institutional ecosystems that support gender equality and social cohesion. Through partnerships with ministries, parliament, municipalities, women’s rights organizations, feminist networks, media actors, and religious and community leaders, it promotes positive social norm change, strengthens coordinated prevention and response to violence against women and girls (VAWG), and fosters gender-responsive local governance and peacebuilding.
Read more
close
Level 3 – Macro
At the macro level, the project engages strategically with national institutions to advance gender-responsive laws, policies, and institutionalize accountability mechanisms. This includes supporting implementation of the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon (2022–2030) and the forthcoming second National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325.
Read more
close
