Women on the Front Lines 2025

In a country rebuilding its institutions and reimagining its future, the conversation around women’s leadership has never felt more urgent. On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the MCF Media Institute held the 12th annual “Women on the Front Lines” (WOFL) conference in collaboration with UN Women, under the patronage and in the presence of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and First Lady Nehmat Aoun.

Now in its twelfth year, the conference has become one of the region’s most anticipated platforms for dialogue on gender, leadership, and social reform. This year’s edition carried a clear message: women are not just participants in Lebanon’s recovery; they are its driving force.

The Beiruter covered the event, as panels brought together influential figures from politics, diplomacy, media, business, and technology to explore how women are reshaping these spheres. The discussions tackled urgent themes such as the revival of women’s roles in Lebanon and the Arab world, the digital gender gap, and the impact of media and elections on policymaking.

From examining how female leadership can fuel institutional reform to highlighting the role of women entrepreneurs in digital transformation, the event reaffirmed that gender equality is inseparable from national progress.

For MCF Media Institute, the goal remains consistent: to amplify women’s voices where they are most needed in decision-making rooms, on digital platforms, and within public institutions. By bringing together changemakers and innovators, WOFL continues to act as both a mirror and a roadmap: reflecting how far women have come, and charting where they must go next.

May Chidiac: Returning to in-person engagement

In an exclusive interview with The Beiruter, May Chidiac, founder of the MCF Media Institute, explained that the conference had been held virtually for several years due to the pandemic and Lebanon’s economic crisis, marking this year as the first in-person edition since 2019. “From 2005 until 2019, the Women on the Front Lines conference was held physically in Lebanon. It was only interrupted by COVID-19 and the country’s economic situation, but we never stopped. We continued online, through Zoom, until we could return in person,” Chidiac said.

She added that this year’s edition achieved remarkable success, both in terms of attendance and Arab participation, reflecting the event’s regional resonance. “The conference clearly highlights how far women have come scientifically, economically, and socially. It shows their growing openness, their entry into new sectors, and their determination to keep moving forward,” she noted. Chidiac also revealed that during a conversation with Sheikha Jawaher, the idea of holding a future WOFL conference in Kuwait was proposed “because Arab women everywhere deserve to be celebrated.”

Syrian minister: Solidarity as a path to decision-making

The Minister of Social Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic Hind Kabawat highlighted that Syrian women have always been present and active across all sectors, stressing the importance of solidarity among Arab women as a means to learn from one another’s experiences. She tells The Beiruter, “The solidarity of women is the path through which we reach decision-making,” She added that Arab women must continue to dream and envision a shared future: “We must believe in our capabilities. The Arab woman is the spirit and heart of the Arab world.”

Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Sabah: Kuwaiti women leading across sectors

Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Human Rights Affairs in Kuwait Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Sabah, highlighted the remarkable achievements of Kuwaiti women across multiple sectors, particularly in the social field, where their presence has been strong for over two decades. “Kuwaiti women have long excelled in social work, and today they are steadily advancing in the economic sphere, many even ranking on the Forbes list,” she said.

She noted that women in Kuwait have also made significant strides in the judicial, military, and diplomatic sectors, supported by progressive laws and wise leadership that continue to strengthen their role in decision-making and national development. “We look forward to seeing even greater representation for women in foreign affairs. We are proud to participate in this event and to highlight the achievements of Kuwait, one of the leading countries in empowering women, especially in the fields of science and technology.” She added that over 70% of women in Kuwait now work in vital sectors such as energy, finance, administration, and banking, underscoring the country’s commitment to gender inclusion across all levels of society.

Dr. Hala El-Said: Economic empowerment as a national imperative

Dr. Hala El-Said, Economic Advisor to the President of Egypt and former Minister of Planning and Economic Development, stressed the crucial role of women in Arab societies, describing them as half of the community whose empowerment is essential not only socially but across multiple sectors, including the economy. She told The Beiruter, “Empowering women allows societies to fully benefit from their talents and contributions,” she said. She further highlighted the economic impact of female participation, noting that if inactive women were fully integrated into the workforce, Egypt’s GDP could increase by nearly 32%.

Dr Hajar El Haddaoui: Partnerships and ecosystems for change

Director General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, Dr Hajjar El Haddaoui expressed that participating in the event was a significant honor, especially as it took place in Lebanon. “First, it’s happening in Lebanon, which makes it very special. Secondly, the organization hosting this conference is highly respected, we know it for its resilience, commitment to peace, and the visionary leadership of Dr. Maishidia. That’s why it was important for us to be here today.” She stressed the importance of collaboration in empowering women: “Supporting women is not something any one organization can do alone. It must be done within an ecosystem and through partnerships. This approach elevates all the efforts being made collectively.”

When asked about the prospects for change, Hajjar said: “We are working together with organizations, the public sector, and governments to launch initiatives across the region. Our goal is to empower women, not just in e-commerce and technology, but also in tech diplomacy and politics to create more decision-makers who can influence change from the top down as well as the bottom up.”

Looking forward

The 12th edition of Women on the Front Lines reaffirmed a simple but powerful message: empowering women is central to the region’s progress. From Lebanon to Kuwait, Syria, and Egypt, leaders underscored the importance of solidarity, collaboration, and systemic support to ensure women not only participate but thrive as key decision-makers in every field. With its return to in-person sessions, WOFL 2025 shows that the conversation on women’s empowerment in the Arab world is gaining true momentum.