‘We must look to the future with hope’: Lebanese women work to rebuild and support each other amid ceasefire

"Like other displaced individuals, I constantly felt a longing for my family, relatives, neighbours, and home," said Ghadeer Houmani, a 45-year-old mother of two. "We were all in a state of great shock."

Houmani, President of the Spirit of Social Work Association, said that she felt a strong need to resume her work despite her own personal challenges with displacement.

"I began to provide psychological and social support to anyone who wished to receive it, especially women," she said. "I organized individual and group sessions where I listened to their pain, fear, and anxiety about the future."

The Spirit of Social Work Association also documented cases of gender-based violence, which is known to increase during conflicts.

"We managed to build bridges of mutual trust within a safe space that helped women vent their feelings and cry, which often assists in relieving life's burdens and reaching psychological comfort," Houmani said.

In the weeks since the ceasefire, her association has continued the work it began during the height of the conflict. The Spirit of Social Work Association is preparing to launch several programmes in collaboration with UN Women to help women build their skills and become financially independent.

"What has happened is in the past," Houmani said. "We must look to the future with hope to restore our lives, for ourselves, for our children and for all members of society."

Rita Barotta, a professor at the Lebanese American University and a humanitarian activist, also adapted her work to meet women's needs during the crisis.

"I transformed my home into a working hub," she said. "My room was turned into a storage room filled with all kinds of assistance, and we worked tirelessly to support displaced families and women."

Barotta secured clothing, blankets, personal hygiene products, and other essentials for women and girls displaced by the conflict, in addition to items like toys and sweets to give young children a sense of stability and normalcy. She also organized free medical consultations for pregnant women and helped them find beds in shelters.

"I worked 18 hours a day responding directly to various requests we received, most of which we managed to fulfil," she said. But while the acute crisis has passed, many women remain displaced from their homes and face severe challenges.

"Now, after the conflict has ceased, we continue our work with those who have not been able to return to their towns," Barotta said. "What I see as urgent during this period is securing funds and job opportunities, especially for women who have lost their family providers, and providing means for resilience to face the winter season, particularly in rural areas."

"Our initiatives in this area will not cease, and we will continue to stand by women until they obtain their rights," she added. "I am convinced we can make a real difference."

"You can't pour from an empty cup. As social workers, we must prioritize our own well-being to support others effectively," said Rasha Abou Kharoub, a social worker with the UN Women partner organization INITIATE.

In late September, the conflict escalated just as Abou Kharoub's 14-year-old son required urgent surgery on his leg after nine months of treatment. While they should have been preparing for surgery, her family was instead forced to flee from their home in South Lebanon to Beirut-and even in that relative safety, they continued to face steep challenges.

"After just one night in a rented apartment, the neighbours complained about us being displaced from the South and asked us to leave," she said. Abou Kharoub's family found temporary lodging in another area of Beirut, where they stayed long enough for her son to undergo surgery, but then they were forced to relocate two more times, eventually settling with her displaced in-laws in the village of Debbieh.

"During these multiple displacements, balancing my family's needs with my professional commitments required meticulous planning and prioritization," she said. Nonetheless, Abou Kharoub continued her social work, providing mental health support to those in need.

"Displaced individuals commonly experience fear, anxiety, stress and insecurity," she said. "Families often struggle with effective communication, and the strain of displacement can lead to misunderstandings and isolation."

While the work, coupled with her family's needs, can be challenging, Abou Kharoub said it can also be a source of inspiration and motivation.

"Reliving others' pain often amplifies my own, but it also fosters a sense of shared resilience," she said. "Helping others gives my struggles meaning and purpose."