4.11.2025
A Better Future for Lebanon, A Better Future for Women
Empowering Lebanese Women through Hospitality, Training, and Social Responsibility
Women as Drivers of Change
Becoming a driving force for citizenship in Lebanon should be a responsibility for women. Yet, Lebanon’s labor market circumstances make it a privilege for only a few. Women should and can be active contributors to the social fabric, but their absence in the workforce isn’t by choice; it’s caused by the country’s circumstances.
The problem isn’t the lack of job offers, but the lack of decent work environments, especially in the hospitality sector. A male-dominated labor market creates barriers for women’s employability and participation in social responsibility. Their absence in the workforce, combined with economic crisis and political instability, adds to Lebanon’s challenges.
Two Sides of Women’s Unemployment
Women’s unemployment has two sides: the lack of decent work environments, and the lack of qualified training for women. We want to take charge of the situation and turn it into an opportunity with a long-term approach to women’s employability and the social responsibility of the private sector, moving toward economic development.
Our Program: Education for Employment
Our Development Cooperation program, “Education for Employment of Lebanese Rural Women through the Establishment of the Dual System in Hospitality,” started in collaboration with IMS in 2023. This year, we organized a visit to Lebanon to reinforce our objectives, identify challenges, and plan for impact-driven results, strengthening and building together.
The trip showed the power of partnerships in driving positive social change. We held a “Team-Building Day” focused on effective communication and decision-making. This session emphasized professionalism in hospitality training, structured empowerment, and clarity in internal and external communication. Reflection and discussion gave a wider vision of the challenges and possible solutions. Aiming for excellence requires continuous improvement, professionalism, and meaningful outcomes.
Project Updates and Challenges
During our visit, we identified IMS’s three business units as pillars for long-term sustainability: Catering, Job Center, and Consultancy & Training. Each unit contributes to the overall vision, and balancing their objectives ensures aligned goals and results.
Sustainability is essential for the longevity and success of programs like this one, creating lasting impact. Supporting IMS’s transition toward a social enterprise model will be key. Responsible business practices and revenue-generating activities will be emphasized. While still in the early stages, we look forward to strengthening the Catering Unit to serve more clients, provide on-the-job training for IMS students, and increase employability opportunities.
Transforming Lives
IMS Training Center’s adaptable and resilient work is transforming the lives of Lebanese women, helping them access new opportunities and building hope for the future.
We believe that achieving meaningful outcomes together reflects our shared call to service. Continuous training and team-building sessions will strengthen collaboration, and our drive for improvement and professionalism brings us closer to lasting, meaningful results.
