Abstract:
The Lebanese Council of Women (LCW) is a non-governmental umbrella
organization for women's NGOs founded in 1952 with the purpose of unifying the
actions of women's NGOs and channeling their efforts towards the realization of
women's political, social, and economic rights. Historically, and until the onset of
the Lebanese Civil War, LCW rose up to its role and was the force behind the
achievements of the Lebanese women's movement. During the Civil War, LCW
maintained its unity and through it contributed positively to the national cause. From
the early nineties, following the Taif Accords, LCW as part of a democratic process
that went wrong, faced the challenges of interference, corruption, and social
disenfranchisement. It also had to face the emergence of new leaders within the
women's movement. With the growing involvement of the agents of the civil society
in human development, the subject of 'women's organizations' is becoming
increasingly central, thus the importance of exploring the issue of whether LCW still
has a role to play or is it an institution of the past.
