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WoMENA Initiative Launches First Workshop

Beirut, Lebanon – April 26, 2025 — In a powerful step toward promoting gender equality in political leadership, the Al Hurriya Liberal Network (AHLN) officially launched its WoMENA initiative with a dynamic and inspiring training workshop held at the Future Movement headquarters in Beirut. The event, organized in collaboration with the Swedish International Liberal Centre (SILC), brought together political leaders, experts, and aspiring women changemakers under the theme "Leadership and Public Speaking for Women in Politics."

The one-day workshop featured intensive training sessions led by a team of distinguished professionals: Abir Chbaro, a renowned specialist in women’s issues; Joseph Houeik, a respected media expert; and Nadine Ezzeddine, a coach specializing in self-development and empowerment. Each session was designed to enhance participants’ leadership capacity, boost their public speaking skills, and provide practical tools for effective political engagement.

The event was honored by the presence of Mr. Ahmad Hariri, Secretary General of the Future Movement, who addressed the participants with a powerful message on the evolution of women’s roles in Lebanese politics since 1990. He reaffirmed the party's unwavering commitment to gender inclusion and praised the strides women have made in decision-making, party leadership, and legislative advocacy — particularly their efforts to advance the women’s quota in political representation.

Mirna Mneimneh, President of AHLN, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the vision behind the WoMENA initiative and its importance in creating more inclusive and representative political spaces. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping this new platform for women’s political empowerment across the region.

The success of the workshop was made possible by the tireless efforts of Wafaa Shamaa, AHLN’s focal point, whose dedication and coordination ensured the smooth execution of the event. The workshop also received critical support from key partners, including SILC, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom MENA (FNF MENA), and the Dutch People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
 

n addition to the training, the event provided an essential platform for networking and collaboration among women from diverse political and professional backgrounds. The enthusiastic participation and exchange of experiences marked a significant milestone in the broader effort to amplify women’s voices in political life.

For her part, Aya Al-Majali, Project Coordinator AHLN & Networks/MENA emphasized the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom support for the Alhurriya Liberal Network (AHLN) and the importance of the network's initiatives, especially those that seek to empower women in the Arab world.

The successful launch of WoMENA signals the beginning of a promising journey to elevate women’s leadership in the MENA region and beyond — a vision rooted in equality, representation, and lasting democratic progress.