Italy launches project to get wome[n in government
The Italian government has approved the launch of a 700,000 euro project aimed at encouraging women’s participation in local government ahead of Lebanon’s municipal elections, the Italian Embassy said on Thursday.
The Italian Foreign Ministry’s Directorate General for Development Cooperation grant comes as part of Rome’s commitment to Lebanon, a statement from the embassy said.
The initiative hopes to increase Lebanese women’s involvement in the governance of local development ahead of municipal elections next year.
At the centralized level, the gender mainstreaming capacities of the Ministry of Social Affairs will be strengthened through training programs and the implementation of the tools needed to institutionalize gender equality in the strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of the ministry’s policies throughout the country.
At the decentralized level, the capacities of 12 social development centers will be strengthened so as to catalyze the active presence of qualified women in local governance throughout Lebanon.
According to the Italian Embassy, this will be achieved through training, awareness building, planning and networking activities for women, and implemented through the active involvement of local civil society organizations.
The latest grant comes after Rome approved on Monday over $10 million in grants to fund 12 projects in Lebanon and brings Italian donation to Lebanon to over 112 million euros.