Lebanese University graduate Hayat Merchad among the 2020 most influential women in the world
A new victory achieved by Lebanon at the global level, after BBC included Hayat Merchad on 23 November 2020 on its list of the 100 most influential women in 2020.
This year's list included eleven Arab women, while the first place remained at the top of the list without a specific name and was awarded to the "unknown heroine" in this exceptional year.
Merchad, is a graduate of the Lebanese University - Faculty of Letters & Human Sciences (Branch 1) holding a BA in English Language & Literature (Class of 2010), and is considered among the activists in the pioneering feminist movement in Lebanon fighting to ensure that women obtain justice, information, protection and rights.
In an interview to the Lebanese University website, Merchad said: “2020 can be described as the year of changes, and our efforts in the recent period have focused on the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on the lives of women, the challenges that women workers face in the health services and educational and social institutions, and the additional burdens imposed on mothers to follow their children in e-learning, in addition to other topics related to domestic and electronic violence, and encouraging women to report such cases."
Merchad, “Fe-Male” founder and Co-Executive Director, affirms that she will continue to struggle to educate women on their rights and how to protect themselves to achieve full gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.
Regarding the Lebanese University, Merchad said: “Despite all the debate, I consider that the Lebanese University remains the first educational edifice in Lebanon, as evidenced by the accreditations achieved for the quality of its programs. We enroll and graduate based on our competence and merit. This national edifice should be the focus of our attention and efforts. Let's preserve it and let it reach all regions”.
It is noteworthy that the BBC devoted its list for this year to the activities of pioneering women in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, as many women in the world made sacrifices to help others and many have lost their lives while trying to make a difference.