The Lebanese Council of Women. (c2006)

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.