In short, IWSAW works at the intersection of academia and activism.
Specifically, IWSAW work rests upon 5 key pillars:
1. EDUCATION: Establish high-quality programs of study on gender issues at the undergraduate, graduate, and mid-career levels
2. RESEARCH: Strengthen research on/by women in the Arab world at national, regional, international levels
3. DEVELOPMENT: Engage in development projects that promote gender equality and empowerment of women and girls at the national and regional levels
4. OUTREACH: Enhance outreach and partnerships to promote the work of the Institute at the national, regional, and international levels
5. LAU ENGAGEMENT: Engage LAU students, faculty, staff and integrate LAU community in work of the Institute
In education, the Institute just launched a new undergraduate Minor in Gender Studies. There is also a Masters in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies – a one year program built on practical and theoretical applications of gender equality, human rights, and social justice along with service learning components. Additionally, IWSAW will soon launch a certificate program for mid-career professionals in Gender in Development and Humanitarian Assistance with LAU’s Continuing Education Program (CEP) and the Human Rights Education Associates (HREA).
For research, the bi-annual journal Al-Raida (The Pioneer) is IWSAW’s signature product – in publication since 1976. IWSAW is also producing Gender Profile Papers for each of the 22 Arab countries – soon to be released on the website. Additionally, the Institute hopes to soon begin a large research project to update its Female Labor Force in Lebanon study from 1997, in time for the 20-year anniversary. The study presents an opportunity to explore women’s economic empowerment looking not only at Lebanese women (as previous study did) but expanding to include all women in Lebanon (Syrian, Palestinian, Iraqi – plus migrant workers).
For outreach, IWSAW is part of a Gender Studies consortium that includes several Arab universities along with UC Davis. Together this consortium is working towards shared efforts on women’s studies and developing collaborative research projects in the region. The Institute is also supporting local women’s organizations through a multi-part training in proposal writing, strategic planning, networking, and communications – skills they need to be sustainable. Other outreach includes events for International Women’s Day and other international days. IWSAW also organizes an annual international conference. It is expected that this year’s theme will be economic empowerment in times of ongoing insecurity – a pressing issue in the region.
Please see the monthly update for more information: http://iwsaw.lau.edu.lb/messages/2016/04/april-2015.php
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Dr. Lina Abirafeh, PhD Director of Institute for Women’s Studies joined the Institute as Director in September 2015. Dr. Abirafeh background is in gender issues in development and humanitarian contexts in countries such as Haiti, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and most recently, Nepal and completed her doctoral work from the London School of Economics and published a book based on her research entitled “Gender and International Aid in Afghanistan: The Politics and Effects of Intervention”. Please see her recent TEDx talk for more on my experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krSG-RtiWUA
Lina Abirafeh, PhD
Director
Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW)
Lebanese American University
Beirut, Lebanon
Thomas Abraham -Dr. Lina Abirafeh, PhD Director of Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World & Bishop Gregory John at LAU Gala NYC.