In today’s world, marked by escalating environmental challenges, women in Lebanon have emerged as a driving force for change and environmental reform. Despite economic and social hardships, numerous women-led initiatives have sprung up across various Lebanese regions to address environmental crises and provide innovative, sustainable solutions. Through these initiatives, women actively contribute to raising environmental awareness, developing projects aimed at preserving natural resources and reducing pollution, as well as promoting community engagement in environmental protection.
This report focuses on the role of women in addressing environmental crises, highlighting prominent female figures who have had a positive impact on their communities and developed solutions that align with local environmental needs. Through interviews with a group of pioneering women in the environmental field, we will explore the challenges they faced, the initiatives they launched, and the lessons that can be drawn from their experiences.
Women who stand at the forefront of environmental work set an example of willpower and influence, proving that nothing is impossible when there is collective effort and a clear vision.
Rima Barqashi: From the heart of Deir El-Ahmar, reviving heritage and creating change.
In the stone houses of the village of Deir El-Ahmar, lives Rima Barqashi, a woman who combines the warmth and boldness of leadership. Having lost her husband at an early age, she took on the responsibility of her family and then extended that responsibility to her community: “I am a mother of four children, and an environmental, political, and tourism activist in the region. I started my involvement in this field about 25 years ago,” says Rima, who chose to build her career at the crossroads of dream, work, and determination.
In the guesthouse she owns, hospitality is not just a passing service but a gateway to a larger project she named “Les Provisions de Rima,” the rural pantry. Here, Rima prepares with her own hands what she eats at home and serves it to her guests. She confidently says, “What I eat at home and feed to my children is what I offer to my guests. This principle is fundamental to me.”
From the pantry to the world: a dream that emerged from the kitchen.
Thanks to this passion, Rima became an ambassador for Lebanese preserves, representing Lebanon at an Arab conference abroad and participating in international exhibitions in Antalya and Doha, with over 70 countries involved. “I was one of 25 participants who were honored,” she says proudly, as she recounts how she carried the taste of the Lebanese soil to tables around the world.
But the beginning wasn’t easy. “I faced major challenges. I didn’t have the resources to buy food manufacturing equipment. I presented proposals to funders and managed to get the necessary support,” she recalls, reflecting on the early days. However, she didn’t keep this success to herself; instead, she turned it into an opportunity for sharing and empowerment: “Today, there are women working with me, and I’ve trained others, giving them the chance to launch their own projects.”
Hospitality as an Entrance to Achieving Sustainability
Reema didn’t stop at her role as a producer of traditional food and food manufacturing trainer. She connected her project to a comprehensive eco-tourism system, where she hosts guests from Lebanon and abroad, offering them a program to visit the tourist and religious sites in Deir El-Ahmar. Among the experiences she developed for her guests are regular trips to the walking trails in the town—trails she helped establish with local associations and activists. As a guide, she shares her stories and conveys her love for the land to her visitors.
Upon returning to the guesthouse, Reema organizes food workshops for her guests. “I set up a program for their stay and arrange activities where we cook traditional dishes together, or I teach them how to make various types of preserves. The activity becomes both environmental and cultural at the same time,” Reema explains.
In this context, she highlights her contribution through food production in promoting the culture of home-front farming: “We now purchase organic agricultural products to use in making preserves, thus encouraging organic farming right in front of people’s homes or in small agricultural plots, depending on their capacity.”
Dier El Ahmar Towards Zero Waste
As part of Rima’s efforts and the local community’s involvement, the waste sorting plant in Dier El Ahmar started its operations about ten years ago, but it faced major challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. About a year ago, serious work began at the plant, which is now considered the only facility in Lebanon that operates with source separation.
The efforts began with awareness campaigns about the importance of source separation of waste. Reema, who was involved in these campaigns, says: “We went door to door, raising awareness about the importance of source separation, and we received a great response and remarkable cooperation from the residents. Then, we distributed four small bins to each household, each designated for a specific type of waste.”
The waste sorting plant in Dier El Ahmar started its work ten years ago, but it faced major challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. About a year ago, serious work began at the plant, which is now considered the only facility in Lebanon that operates with source separation.
“There are no odors, no pollution,” says Pierre Habchi, the waste sorting operations manager at the plant, explaining that the process involves three stages. The first stage is sorting at the household level, where four bins were distributed to each home, and the residents were trained.
The second stage involves collection by a dedicated truck that travels to the designated homes, following a schedule coordinated with residents through WhatsApp groups. The third and final stage is sorting at the plant, where the waste is packed, compressed, and then sold with full transparency.
Despite the challenges, hope remains strong: “We aim to reach a zero-waste stage,” says Habshi, in a country where the waste crisis continues to reflect larger collapses and the worsening of environmental issues.
Official neglect and hope in the community.
Reema speaks with regret about the almost complete absence of the state: “The state is absent, and the associations and organizations fill the gaps.” Although she feels support from the community for the environmental efforts, especially regarding her personal experience, she laments that the media has not lived up to expectations and responsibilities: “The media does not adequately cover our efforts and activities, which deprives us of the opportunity to expand and grow at the national level.”
Clara Khoury: Women’s Leadership in Protecting Lebanon’s Marine Environment
“The environment is our future, and if we don’t protect it, we won’t have a future,” with these simple and direct words, Clara Khoury, a prominent environmental activist in Lebanon, begins her talk about the importance of preserving the marine environment and the role of women in this vital field. She is an advocate for protecting Lebanon’s beaches and public marine properties and is the leader of the “Save Kfarabida” campaign, aimed at protecting the town’s public beach from encroachments and real estate projects.
Marine Protected Areas Platform: A Step Towards Effective Change
At the launch event of the Marine Protected Areas Platform in Lebanon, where Clara was one of the key speakers, her message was clear: the environment is not the responsibility of just one party, but a collective responsibility shared by everyone—from students to teachers, from mothers to environmental activists, and from decision-makers to every individual in society. She added, “We all must work together to ensure a sustainable environmental future.”
The environment is our future.
And if we don't protect it, we won't have a future.
Clara Khoury emphasizes the importance of having a dedicated platform for marine reserves in Lebanon, stating: “In our world today, where we don’t have the luxury of time, these networks are the way to achieve quick and effective results.” She believes that collective action and speed in implementation are key to addressing the environmental challenges threatening biodiversity, especially in the Lebanese sea.
Women in the Environmental Sector: Their Right to Presence and Participation
As for the role of women in the environmental sector, especially in marine areas, Clara sees no barriers to their participation. “Women represent more than half of society, and they have the right to be present everywhere,” she affirms, emphasizing that women are not just an addition to society, but an essential element. In the field of environmental work, they are part of the solutions, not mere spectators of events. Lebanese women have strongly asserted their presence in this field, especially since many environmental activists have been working in it for over twenty years.
When you realize your cause is just,
you must arm yourself with the law and continue to demand your rights.
Despite the challenges faced by environmental activists, Clara affirms that “the same challenges are faced by both men and women, such as corruption and administrative obstacles.” However, Clara has learned from her experience that perseverance and determination are the strongest weapons. “When you realize your cause is just, you must arm yourself with the law and continue to demand your rights.”
Women on the frontlines
Clara discusses the role of women in addressing environmental crises, emphasizing that “women can play a larger role through environmental education.” According to Clara, mothers (caregivers) are partners in passing on environmental awareness from one generation to the next, especially in the absence of environmental education in school curricula.
When it comes to empowering women in Lebanon, Clara emphasizes that women’s empowerment in all sectors, especially in the environmental field, is a crucial necessity that cannot be overlooked. “Women make up half of society; they must be present in decision-making positions because their presence adds significant value.”
Collective work for a better environmental future.
Clara concludes her statement with an optimistic vision for the future: “If we imagine women in leadership roles within Lebanon’s environmental sector, we should envision women everywhere— from ministries to NGOs, and in every space where environmental decisions are made. Together, the women and men of Lebanon can achieve a better environmental future.”
Collaboration, perseverance, and women’s empowerment are the core principles driving Clara Khoury in her environmental journey. She tirelessly works towards making Lebanon a more sustainable place for future generations.
Dr. Najat Saliba: A Model of Environmental Leadership in Lebanon
Dr. Najat Saliba, a member of the Lebanese Parliament and a professor at the American University, is one of the most prominent figures in the field of environmental law and advocacy in Lebanon. Throughout her long career, she has focused on strengthening environmental laws and protecting them from degradation, while also playing a key role in shaping policies aimed at addressing both local and global environmental challenges. In addition to her academic and legislative work, she is an environmental activist striving to create real environmental transformations in Lebanon, embodying the leadership role of women in this field.
Women, particularly in agricultural and Bekaa regions,
are the most vulnerable to the impacts of pollution and environmental degradation.
Women in Lebanon have always been a crucial part of the environmental movement, though perhaps not to the extent required by the environmental challenges we face today. Dr. Najat Saliba believes that the issues posed by environmental concerns may have a more significant impact on women, particularly in rural communities. “Women, especially in agricultural and Bekaa regions, are the most vulnerable to the consequences of pollution and environmental degradation. They play a pivotal role in environmental sustainability, whether through their family or community responsibilities,” says Dr. Saliba.
However, despite this, women’s role in environmental policies remains limited, particularly in terms of legislation that guarantees their rights and ensures their full participation in environmental decision-making. “In Lebanon, we need supportive legislation for women in the agriculture sector and for the protection of environmental resources,” she adds. “There are many women in the agricultural sector facing challenges related to labor rights and health, and we must implement laws that guarantee equality and ensure a safe working environment for them.”
The absence of effective political will has exacerbated environmental crises.
When discussing environmental challenges in Lebanon, Dr. Saliba cannot help but highlight that the country’s environmental situation largely reflects the lack of effective political will. There has been a continuous deterioration in environmental resources, from air pollution to crises in the water and waste sectors. “Crises like air pollution or the decline in water quality are not just environmental issues; they are health and social issues that directly affect citizens, especially women and children,” says Saliba.
The Lebanese woman’s role is not limited to the home; she is a key player in environmental sustainability within her local communities and a leader in raising environmental awareness.
One of the issues she has been working hard to address is the waste crisis, which is one of Lebanon’s most prominent challenges. “In 2015, we faced a major waste crisis, and the government initially lacked any real plan to tackle this issue, despite the existence of environmental laws that could have been effective if properly implemented,” she recalls, reflecting on one of the worst environmental crises in Lebanon’s history.
Regarding women’s participation in environmental work, she believes that women in Lebanon have proven to be more capable of making a positive impact on the environment, especially in rural areas. “The Lebanese woman’s role is not limited to the home; she is a key factor in environmental sustainability within her local communities, and she is a pioneer in raising environmental awareness through community activities and volunteer work.”
It all starts with legislation.
MP Saliba points out that what hinders women in Lebanon from playing a larger role in environmental policy is the lack of sufficient legislation that supports their active participation in environmental political decision-making. She emphasizes that what is needed are laws that guarantee greater involvement of women in shaping environmental policies, while taking their specific needs in this sector into account.
In this context, Dr. Saliba believes that the first step toward environmental change in Lebanon begins with adopting appropriate policies and enforcing environmental laws. She highlighted her efforts in working on several environmental law projects aimed at improving Lebanon’s environmental situation, including the Air Quality Protection Law and the Waste Law, which are among the most important environmental legislations she has worked on. However, she notes that “what hinders the implementation of these laws in Lebanon is not the lack of scientific knowledge or the laws themselves, but the absence of political will.”
Although general laws in Lebanon are supposed to be inclusive, the practical reality reveals an urgent need for supplementary legislation that supports working women, especially in vulnerable sectors like agriculture. Women working in this sector form an essential part of the labor force in seasonal activities such as harvesting and crop gathering. They often perform these demanding tasks under harsh weather and health conditions, without adequate legal protection to ensure a decent working environment for them.
Although Lebanon's general laws are supposed to be comprehensive, the practical reality reveals an urgent need for supplementary legislation that supports working women, particularly in vulnerable sectors like agriculture.
This legislative gap exposes many women to unseen violations, including long and unregulated working hours, as well as the denial of their rightful wages. In many cases, the family (often the husband) receives the payment instead of the working woman herself. Additionally, the lack of a comprehensive social security system for workers in agriculture further exacerbates the vulnerability of women, preventing them from accessing their basic economic and health rights.
In this context, a draft law has been developed in collaboration with a specialized committee from the ESCWA (Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) to protect female workers in the agricultural sector. The proposed law aims to regulate working hours in a way that accommodates their physical and psychological needs and ensures that they receive their wages directly, without intermediaries or exploitation. This draft law will be submitted to the Lebanese Ministry of Labor, with hopes that it will enter parliamentary discussions and be adopted as a necessary step toward social and professional justice for all women, especially in rural and marginalized areas.
Future Challenges
As for the future, Dr. Saliba believes that Lebanon needs a long-term vision for environmental protection. “The future of the environment in Lebanon is not solely dependent on political or economic reforms; it also requires building a collective environmental awareness. We need a new generation of youth committed to environmental issues, as well as active participation from women in environmental work.”
She emphasizes that Lebanon has the natural resources necessary to become a model for the region in the field of environmental sustainability. However, this requires collective collaboration and genuine implementation of environmental laws. “Lebanese women represent a crucial link in this transformation, and we must give them the opportunity to have a greater impact on environmental policies.”
Supporting and empowering women in environmental work is not an option,
but a necessity for achieving a significant and comprehensive environmental transformation.
Amid Lebanon’s escalating environmental crises, women represent a true force for change that goes beyond stereotypes and traditional roles. What we’ve shared in this report is not just individual stories, but living evidence of women’s ability to initiate, organize, and influence both their communities and public policies, as well as legislation.
From legislative work and advocacy to environmental campaigns, field training, and simple agricultural tasks, Dr. Najat Saliba, Clara Khoury, and Rima Barqashi have proven that women do not merely raise their voices against challenges—they work with intelligence, determination, and persistence to create real change. Their experiences affirm that protecting the environment is not just an institutional responsibility, but a collective action that starts with individuals and expands to encompass the entire community.
Therefore, supporting and empowering women in environmental work is not an option, but a necessity for achieving a significant and comprehensive environmental transformation. Lebanon’s environmental future cannot be built without the voices, efforts, expertise, and vision of women for a more beautiful and sustainable world.
تم إنتاج هذا المحتوى بدعم من منظمة أوكسفام في لبنان، كجزء من مشروع وئام؛ العمل من أجل المشاركة والقبول والوساطة؛ الممول من الاتحاد الأوروبي. لا يعكس المحتوى بالضرورة آراء أو وجهات نظر منظمة أوكسفام في لبنان أو الاتحاد الأوروبي.
This content was produced with the support of Oxfam in Lebanon, as part of the WE’AM project; Working for Engagement, Acceptance, and Mediation; funded by the European Union. The content does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Oxfam in Lebanon or the European Union.
