Bi-annually, the Arab Institute for Women (AiW) publishes works in Al-Raida (“The Pioneer”), an interdisciplinary semi peer-reviewed journal published at the Lebanese American University. In fact, Al-Raida is the Institute’s signature journal, and has been in publication since May 1976. The Institute strengthens research on and by women in the Arab region at national, regional, and international levels and provides much-needed perspectives to global discourses on women and gender equality in the Arab region. On its fifty year anniversary,  the institute launched two major publications: Our Feminine Memory, a long-awaited biographical and archival compilation of 20th-century Lebanese women, and the anniversary special issue of Al-Raida. The Institute also commissions and publishes original research to help expand the body of knowledge necessary to further social and policy change at the national and regional levels. 

AiW also collaborates with specialized scholars and professionals to strengthen research on and by women. Valuable literature has emerged from the Institute’s strategic partnerships. For instance, the “Countering Backlash: Reclaiming Gender Justice” project in partnership with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) contributed to creating crucial research and identifying opportunities for women’s rights organizations and gender justice advocates to counter the backlash and address the erosion of gender objectives.

Moreover, the AiW also partnered with the Global Women’s Institute (GWI) at the George Washington University to collect data on violence against women (VAW), supported by UN Women and the World Health Organization. Through quality, reliable data on VAW, this project was essential for developing policies and interventions to achieve gender equality. A secondary goal of this program was to widen the currently limited pool of researchers who can collect these data in a high-quality and ethical way. This ensured that there was a wider base of Arab experts who were able to undertake data collection on VAW.

The Institute demonstrates its commitment to sustaining social change through many outreach initiatives. In fact, AiW is one of the most active centers at LAU with its events and initiatives.

Each year, AiW participates in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) international campaign and launches an art competition where students are invited to promote the yearly themes. Most recently, the 2024 competition focused on harnessing the power of storytelling and art to raise awareness, inspire action, and promote healing by sharing the stories and creations of women and girls who have survived and thrived amidst the war. The winning art pieces are posted on social media to increase awareness of violence against women. Through this competition, students learn to use their talent for the greater good.

AiW also participated in the MEPI-TLP-funded “Towards the End of Period Poverty” project. In collaboration with the Industrial Hub at LAU, a multidisciplinary student team developed a machine to produce affordable sanitary pads. AiW contributed to this effort by hosting awareness sessions, aiding material production, and organizing a panel discussion, showcasing how innovation can address critical social issues.

In an effort to further reduce inequalities in the Lebanese society, AiW, has also launched a new online platform called Shabakat al Meem to provide support and information to LGBTQ youth in Lebanon. The platform features short animations, a podcast series, a Q&A section, a glossary of LGBTQ terms in English and Arabic, and a map where visitors can share their own experiences. With funding from the Embassy of Netherlands in Lebanon, the platform was created in response to the dearth of reliable information and support available to the LGBTQ community in Lebanon. The platform aims, among other objectives, to raise awareness and understanding of LGBTQ issues in Lebanon.

As part of their mission to boost voices of women, AiW collaborates with local artists and activists to showcase theatre plays. Blending activism with creativity, AiW simultaneously contributes to the local art scene and highlight feminist issues. With performances like Leila, Latifa, Chimamanda and Wadad: An Ant That Digs in Stone, the institute brings to light women’s stories.

The institute participated “Equality for Everyone: Gender Reform from Grassroots to Government” project, funded by the United States – Middle East Partnership Initiative (U.S-MEPI).  This project aimed at promoting universal parental leave and progressive childcare policies among Lebanese working parents as an entry point to achieving greater gender equality in Lebanon, while also promoting access to healthcare to disadvantaged women to overcome caregiving burdens. This innovative project targets parental leave policies within the private and public sectors, with a focus on policy change on the national level. The project also targets LAU as a pilot project for policy change regarding parental leave policies.