ABAAD uses policy dialogue and advocacy as a mechanism to promote an equitable and violence-free society. Knowing the pattern of power distribution in dialogue settings, ABAAD is committed to setting positive channels with community leaders, religious leaders, policy makers, and the media. We strongly believe that promoting gender equality requires the comprehensive and coordinated efforts of a number of actors and as such, we consider all stakeholders and target groups as full and integral partners to ensure the development of non-discriminatory laws, policies and legislation.
MAJOR PROJECTS UNDER Advocacy and Policy Development
International Women's Day Night Cycling Ride
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, in 2014, ABAAD, in collaboration with CyclingCircle and Bike Generation, organised a night cycling ride to demand gender equality and safety for all women and girls both, on the streets, and at home.
"Put Your Hand With Hers, Not On Her, Violence Against Women is A Crime"
In the light of the killing incidents that took the lives of several women in Lebanon, ABAAD and World Vision launched a new media campaign with a public service announcement carrying the message “Put your hand with hers, not on her - violence against women is a crime!” Through a “suspenseful” approach, the PSA addresses the role men can adopt in order to transform the concepts of masculinity that bound and dictate men’s behaviour, focusing on men being true allies in combating violence against women.
The Missing Of Lebanon, Advocacy and Awareness Project
Act for the Disappeared, in partnership with ABAAD and supported by the European Union, launched a project to empower the families of Lebanon’s forcibly disappeared, and to help them through their struggles to discover the destinies of their loved ones.
Beirut Marathon Runs Against Child Marriage
ABAAD, Esposa, OXFAM, UNICEF and Rotana joined efforts to run against child marriage at the Beirut International Marathon 2014.
Setting up and Co-Chairing the National Technical Task Force To End GBV against Women and Chidren
Since early 2012, ABAAD has established and been co-chairing the “National Technical Task Force to End GBV in Lebanon (NTTF)”, chaired by H.E the Minister of Social Affairs and this relationship with the ministry comes as part of its belief that governments have a primary role in eliminating GBV and sustaining efforts in this field.
ABAAD on MTV - Celebrities Duets
In 2015, Lebanese TV presenter and radio talk show hostess Sana Nasr took part in MTV’s Celebrity Duets, which featured a number of public figures from the MENA region. Each celebrity chose one cause that they wanted to support by donating their winnings from the show.