Supporting transformations and creating agents of change: Chirine Basbous from ABAAD

What does ABAAD do and what is your organizational mission?

ABAAD aims to achieve gender equality as an essential condition to sustainable social and economic development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We advocate for policies and laws that enhance women’s participation in society through a rights-based approach, making tangible improvements in gender justice. Our work also includes providing holistic care and protection services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and right-holders during times of peace, war and disasters.

ABAAD envisions a world in which men, women and gender-diverse people live as equitable partners and work together to dismantle hegemonic masculinities and violence against women, and secure better lives for the future of the societies they live in.

What is your role at ABAAD, and what are you working on?

As a Project Officer for the Generation G program, I focus on supporting and upskilling young men and women to become effective leaders and advocates for change within their communities. Our work revolves around addressing gender and social norms at the grassroot level, striving to build gender-just and violence-free societies. 

What inspired you to work in gender justice, particularly engaging men and boys?

After graduating from Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) in 2018, I started my career at ABAAD as a Child Animator, creating safe spaces for children to learn through play while reinforcing key messages on protection, privacy, and hygiene.

As the next step in my career, I took on the role of a Psychosocial Support (PSS) Worker, where I facilitated awareness and psychosocial support sessions for women, girls, men and boys. Witnessing the positive impact of these initiatives – building trust, fostering change, and encouraging larger participation – deepened my commitment to gender justice and equality. This realization motivated me to shift my career focus toward promoting gender equality and addressing gender-based violence at a systemic level.

What keeps you motivated in this work?

The trust and positive feedback we receive from our youth participants, and their commitment to the program’s goals despite the challenges they face, including the war and security escalations in Lebanon are what inspires me. Their resilience and determination strengthen my belief in the importance of our work and give me the strength to keep moving forward, knowing that we are making a meaningful impact.

What are you thinking about these days in relation to gender transformative work with men and boys?

I have been thinking about the sustainability and long term impact of our interventions with men and boys in regards to gender transformative work. While we are making big efforts in engaging them as allies for gender equality, we still have to ensure that these positive changes in attitudes are deeply rooted rather than temporary responses to programs’ interventions. 

How has being part of MenEngage Alliance influenced your work?

As a representative of the MenEngage Network Lebanon in the Youth Reference Group of MenEngage Alliance, I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and expertise in integrating youth perspectives into our work. This role allows me to ensure that youth voices are actively included in the network’s initiatives, providing me with tools that support me in promoting a more inclusive and youth-centered approach to gender justice.

What is your message to others working for gender justice?

Young people bring innovative ideas and a strong desire to engage in spaces where they can take on leadership roles, express their opinions, and advocate for critical social issues. It is essential to provide them with opportunities and platforms to lead and express themselves freely. Investing in youth leadership today lays the foundation for a more just and equitable future.

Which MenEngage principles resonate with you the most, and how do they inform your work?

Three principles stand out to me:

• “We work to disrupt and end patriarchy”

I believe that most societies are deeply rooted in patriarchal systems, which shape and reinforce gender inequalities within communities.

•  “We believe in the capability of men and boys to actively support gender, social, and climate justice” 

Achieving gender equality requires collaboration between all genders.

• “We are accountable for our words, actions, and decisions” 

I believe that holding ourselves and others accountable ensures that commitments translate into meaningful actions and systemic change.

At ABAAD, we uphold accountability through our Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and through our Accountability Unit, which plays a crucial role in ensuring that our interventions are ethical, transparent, and responsive to the communities we serve. 

MenEngage’s Accountability Framework has been a useful reference point and a reminder of the importance of practicing accountability in our work.

 

 

To find out more about ABAAD’s work follow ABAAD’s Instagram and LinkedIn accounts. You can reach out to Chirine on LinkedIn.