Strategic Collaboration between LinkedIN and Stouh Beirut Association to Shed Light on the “Femmes du Soleil” Project in Support of Vulnerable Women and Young Ladies in Lebanon
As part of the “Habibi” initiative launched by LinkedIn to support the Middle East region, a new partnership was announced with Stouh Beirut Association through its social project Femmes du Soleil. The project aims to empower and support single mothers and young orphaned women by providing psychological and professional assistance to help them become self-reliant and integrate into society.
On August 20, 2026, a delegation from LinkedIn, including Ms. Zeinab Khanafer and Ms. Caline Zakher, accompanied by a team from France and Ireland, visited the project site in Dhour El-Choueir, which is currently under rehabilitation. During the visit, a training workshop was held on how to make use of LinkedIn in developing career paths and finding employment opportunities. The session witnessed remarkable engagement from the participants.
The event was attended by several notable figures, including: Mr. Naïm Sawaya, Mayor of Dhour El-Choueir; Dr. Antoine Chedid, Treasurer of Les Toits de Beyrouth Association in Paris; and Mrs. Malak Ibrahim, who contributed to rehabilitating and equipping a wing in the center in memory of her son Moussa, as a testament to her belief in the importance of this humanitarian endeavor.
The meeting was opened by journalist Ms. Dalia Dagher, President of Stouh Beirut Association, who gave an overview of the association’s history and highlighted its major achievements in supporting marginalized communities. Dr. Antoine Chedid spoke about the importance of establishing a supportive branch for the association in Paris and its role in strengthening connections between Lebanese residents and expatriates to unify humanitarian efforts.
Mrs. Rosy Haddad Al-Bonji, Projects Development Manager, at the association, presented a detailed overview of the Femmes du Soleil project, which is the first center of its kind in Lebanon dedicated to supporting vulnerable mothers and orphaned young ladies. The center will provide them with a safe space that includes vocational training, psychological support, and social care services. She emphasized the importance of building impactful partnerships, such as the one established with LinkedIn, and called upon everyone to contribute to securing the necessary resources to operate the center.
Furthermore, Ms. Zeinab Khanafer and Ms. Caline Zakher, in an online session with the LinkedIn team in the United States, provided a comprehensive presentation on the Habibi initiative, which seeks to empower communities in the Middle East through technology and training.
The event concluded with an interactive workshop with the attendees, focusing on how to enhance job opportunities through the platform, personal branding, and building a digital professional identity, all of which generated strong engagement from participants.
This collaboration marks a new beginning for a project that brings hope and change to many women in Lebanon, and embodies the importance of solidarity and partnership in addressing social and economic challenges.
Les Toits de Beyrouth
