Human Security and Gender in Lebanon: Legal and Political Challenges Within the Context of Social Transformations

Abstract

Human security offers a transformative analytical framework that shifts the focus of protection from the state to the individual, addressing non-military threats that endanger daily life. While crises affect entire populations, women often bear disproportionate burdens due to structural inequalities, particularly in fragile contexts marked by conflict, poverty, and political instability. This study explores the impact of crises on women through the lens of human security, focusing on the challenges they face and the opportunities for empowerment and active participation in post-crisis reconstruction.

The research begins with a conceptual and theoretical framework examining the intersection between human security and gender, highlighting how women are positioned within unequal social and economic structures that affect both their vulnerability and access to protection. The second chapter presents a case study of Lebanon, investigating the lived experiences of women during armed conflicts and socio-political crises, as well as the legal and political barriers that limit their participation in peacebuilding and protection efforts. Drawing on academic literature and analytical sources, the study demonstrates the vital role that women play in humanitarian response, social reconstruction, and sustainable peace.

Ultimately, the study argues that integrating a gender-sensitive approach into human security analysis must go beyond identifying vulnerabilities to recognizing women as key actors in peace processes and community resilience. Despite ongoing challenges, this vision points toward a more equitable future where human security is a shared reality, and women are recognized not as victims but as agents of change.