“When women take part in the economy, they also create spaces for young people”, said Madiha Raslan, the president of the Women Leaders Association founded to empower and encourage women in the economy. She called on women to participate in their conference to be held on January 27, at the Expo 2022 Dubai.

CAROLINE BAZZI

Beirut- Madiha Raslan founded the Women Leaders Association last October after the association carried out its works under the name of the Lebanese Council for Women Leaders, which was established in 2018 with the aim of increasing women's self-confidence and integrating them into the economy.  Madiha Raslan emphasized that Lebanese women are late in raising their voices; therefore women should trust their power to make a change in the economy.

They work for women’s economic empowerment

Speaking about the goals, activities, and future projects of the association, Madiha Raslan said, “We founded the Women Leaders Association to boost women’s self-confidence. When women are confident and introduce themselves properly, everyone will definitely believe in them. The aim of the association is to involve Lebanese women in decision-making positions in the economy. We want to strengthen them even more, particularly in the economy. We support them to take high positions in the economic institutions and organizations and to express their own demands. After all, we make up one half of society and we make up one half of the economy. We want to make our voices heard.”

Speaking about the activities of the association, she said, “Since the foundation of the association, we have held workshops to empower women economically and to teach them how they can prepare a budget. I think we have made a noticeable difference together with the members of the association.”

Women should be pioneers in the trade

Speaking about women’s participation in the upcoming elections in Lebanon, Madiha Raslan pointed out that the number of women in the parliament should increase. Stating that the association aims to empower women working as lawyers, engineers, pharmacists, and women who work in decision-making positions in big institutions, she said that these women need new investments. In 2019, we carried out a project with Changemakers before the anniversary of the October 17 Revolution. The motto of this project was “Women and youth are the leaders”. When women become the leaders in markets, they also create spaces for young people. Because women have a point of view and they are creative.”

Only women were involved in the project

Talking about their first project called, “Jazzmin”, Madiha Raslan said that women had the opportunity to establish a company. Stating that the motto of the project was “Yes For We”, Madiha Raslan emphasized that their aim to start the project was not raising money but creating new stories of successful women. “Only women were involved in the project.”

Call for participation in their conference

Speaking about the latest activities of the association, she said, “We carried out an activity at the Expo 2020 Dubai with the motto, ‘'I am a Lebanese Arab’. It will be important to connect the Lebanese economy with the Arab economy through working women. There are many opportunities for investment. And we can create these opportunities together. There are very important bridges that we will build together. We will hold a conference at the Expo 2022 Dubai on January 27. We call on all women to participate in the conference.”