On February 11, 2026, The AiW at LAU, in partnership with SEEDS for Legal Initiative, organized an interactive discussion on the online course “Dealing with the Past: The Missing and Forcibly Disappeared in Lebanon from a Gender Perspective.” The course was developed within the framework of the “Dealing with the Past” project under the Women, Peace and Security Program of UN Women, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program in Lebanon (UNDP), and with the support of the Government of Canada. The discussion brought together experts and practitioners to reflect on the challenges of addressing the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared in Lebanon, with particular attention to gendered impacts, legal frameworks, and psychosocial dimensions.

In her welcome speech, Ms. Myriam Sfeir, AiW Executive Director, emphasized the importance of incorporating a gender perspective in examining historical injustices, particularly the issue of missing and forcibly disappeared persons, and highlighted the ongoing social, legal, and psychological effects on survivors, families, and communities. Then, Ms. Joumana Zabaneh, Program Management Specialist at UN Women, elaborated on the gender dimensions of the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared, noting how women often assume the roles of primary advocates, caregivers, and heads of households in the absence of missing family members, while simultaneously facing structural and legal barriers. Building on this, Ms. Lina Jarrous, Managing Partner and Programs Manager at SEEDS for Legal Initiatives, explained how Seeds contributed to the development of the online course’s content and structure. She also highlighted some of the different approaches developed to address the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared, particularly from a gender perspective. Finally, Mr. Raghed Assi, Social and Local Development Program Manager at UNDP, presented a general overview of the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared, outlining key achievements and challenges. He also offered a brief summary of UNDP’s involvement in initiatives addressing such cases.

The discussion, moderated by Ms. Jarrous, opened with a presentation of the online course and its objectives, delivered by Dr. Carmen Abou Jaoude, Political Scientist, Researcher, and Expert in Transitional Justice. She addressed the social and cultural dimensions of the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared, reflecting on how families and communities navigate the emotional and societal consequences of missing loved ones. Dr. Abou Jaoude highlighted the need for culturally sensitive approaches to support victims and foster reconciliation while addressing historical grievances. She further emphasized the importance of community-based support mechanisms that acknowledge collective trauma and promote social cohesion. In addition, she underscored the role of dialogue and memory initiatives in preserving narratives, restoring dignity to affected families, and contributing to long-term healing processes.

Me. Layal Sakr, Founder and Executive Director of SEEDS for Legal Initiatives, discussed the legal frameworks surrounding the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared, underscoring gaps in national legislation and the role of international standards in guiding accountability and reparative measures. She highlighted the importance of strengthening coordination between civil society organizations and state institutions to ensure survivors’ rights are protected. Me. Sakr further emphasized the need for sustained advocacy to advance legislative reform and promote the effective implementation of existing laws. In addition, she stressed that meaningful accountability requires transparent investigative mechanisms and survivor-centered approaches that prioritize truth, justice, and institutional reform.

Ms. Zabaneh focused on advocacy strategies, emphasizing the role of awareness campaigns, documentation initiatives, and community engagement in advancing recognition of the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared and in promoting access to justice. She also stressed the significance of amplifying the voices of affected women and marginalized groups. Ms. Zabaneh underscored the importance of building broad-based coalitions to sustain momentum and influence policy reform. Furthermore, she highlighted the need to integrate gender-sensitive approaches into advocacy efforts to ensure that responses are inclusive, rights-based, and responsive to the specific needs of affected communities.

Dr. Pia Tohme, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and Chairperson of the Department of Psychology and Education at LAU, provided a psychological perspective on the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared, exploring the mental health impact on families and survivors, including trauma, grief, and intergenerational effects. She emphasized the importance of psychosocial support programs, community-based interventions, and therapeutic strategies to mitigate long-term psychological harm. Dr. Tohme further highlighted the necessity of early identification and sustained follow-up to prevent the perpetuation of trauma-related disorders. Moreover, she underscored the value of interdisciplinary collaboration between mental health professionals, legal practitioners, and community actors to ensure comprehensive and survivor-centered care.

The session concluded with a Q&A session, allowing participants to raise questions, share experiences, and reflect on main takeaways.