Attending the event at the Institute of the Company and the Asfari Citizenship in Aub in Beirut
By Eszter Kismödi, Managing Director, SRHM, co-author with Lina Abou-Habib, Director of the Institute of Institute of Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University of Beirut, and Carla Akil, Assistant to the Director
More recently, on September 11, 2025, I had the privilege of attending the event that opens a series of events at The Asfari Institute for Society and Citizenship to American University of Beirut: “Feminist memory and transitional justice: Women who restore peace processes. ”
This dialogue has gathered excellent voices from Lebanon, Syria, Mexico, Colombia and justice movements based on woman throughout the Mena region and Latin America. In the room, we saw courage, honesty and solidarity, as women shared how personal narratives and base memory have become essential tools for truth, justice and treatment in post -war societies.
I had the opportunity to talk Lina Abou-Habib, Director of the Institute of Institutes for Society and CitizenshipFor the vision behind this fact. We discussed what the restoration of justice means, how feminism shapes transitional justice and why transnational, interdisciplinary spaces are so vital. It reflects the power of women’s stories to develop in national movements, to challenge authoritarianism, to influence the media, and to demand accountability-especially in contexts where the legacies of armed conflict, authoritarianism and systematic impunity continue.
In Lebanon and Syria, one of the most lasting and painful consequences of political violence is the widespread practice of forced extinction. Families of the missing – often led by women – have passed decades demanding truth, justice and accountability against the inaction of the state. Their struggles not only kept the memory alive, but they have also shaped the perceptions of peace, justice and transitional justice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFVBT4Z0JLC
The Commission’s discussion also underlined the work of the Syrian civil society groups and activists The creative memory of the Syrian revolutionwho document war crimes, gather oral stories and cause dominant state -centered narratives. In my conversation with Hayma Al YouSfi, Syrian feminist activist from Syrian Women’s Network (SFJN)We talked about archiving and representation under authoritarianism and revolution – the authorized voices that emphasized the urgent character of memory documentation both as a form of survival and as a tool of liberation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpk80MNPGZ4
The diplomats at the meeting in Beirut, along with women involved online from Colombia, Mexico and Chile, brought political analysis and decades of experience to transitional justice, with complex stories of dictatorship, violence and a committee of truth.
Gathering the activists, scholars, artists and actors of civil society from these areas, they created a deep and meaningful comparative dialogue.
He offered the opportunity to exchange tools, experiences and strategies for feminist transitional justice that are deeply rooted in local contexts, but also spoke to broader global standards of violence, state impunity and resistance.
In the evening he also honored the work of Wadad Halawani, the Lebanese activist, the writer and the national image, whose 45 years of activism in forced disappearances in Lebanon continue to inspire generations. Her pioneer activism led to the founding of Committee of Families of Aputs and disappeared violently in Lebanon and the legislation of the right to know and recognize collective memory.
Her upcoming book, entitled “A memory that never fades: what I left unknown” It presents the opportunity to engage in a wider audience for personal, political and gender dimensions of disappearance and loss.
This event, along with the broader series organized by the Asfari and Partners Institute, is based on the understanding that transitional justice is not limited to formal procedures, but also includes bases, feminist and surviving practices of truth and memory work.
These events are investigating how women in Lebanon, Syria and Latin America have formed reasons for peace and justice. Aligned with 25th his anniversary UN Security Council resolution 1325 for women, peace and securitywhich recognized the central position of women’s participation in resolving conflicts and post -war reconstruction. They also contribute to increasing efforts to reform transitional justice beyond the legal contexts, the focus of experiences, the trauma between generations and collective healing.
The atmosphere was deep, removable and transformed and what resonated with me was the collective power of women who restore peace processes – the recognition of the right to know the right to truth, justice and peace itself.
This event was not only about memory, but also for building movements at the border, stressing that feminist perspectives are essential in shaping the future of justice, accountability and reconciliation.
In addition to its immediate impact, the series helps to enhance intersection of cooperation on feminist transitional justice, promoting politics and academic talks in forced extinction and gender memory and strengthening Syrian women and lean women and reinforcement. Narratives about integrated justice in Lobanon and Syria.
Above all, it confirms that memory is political, justice is feminist and peace must be restored by those who have brought the heavier burdens of violence, disappearance and loss.
Recognition
This series was made possible through the cooperation of the Institute of Asphalt on Society and Citizenship of Citizens (AUB), the American University of Beirut – Mediterranean, the Embassies of Colombia, Mexico and Chile in Lebanon, Mohammad Atal.
We are also grateful to the speakers, who include Lina Abou-Habib, director of the Institute of Civil Society and Citizenship in Aub. Eduin Bone Alfonso, Ambassador of Colombia to Lebanon. Dr. Nadia El Cheikh, History Professor at Aub. Wadad Halawani, founder of the families of the abducted families and is missing in Lebanon. Sana Yazigi, founder of the creative memory of the Syrian Revolution. Hayma Al YouSfi, General Manager of Syrian Women’s Journalists Network. Rola Rokbi, Women’s Manager now for development. Leila Sibai, Legal Researcher at Huquqyat. Catalina Fernandez, head of the Department of Human Rights at the Chilean Foreign Ministry. Minister Jennifer Feller, General Manager of Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mexico. Leidy Alexandra Guerrero, a link to approach women and sexes to the Agency for redefinition and normalization in Colombia. And Francisco Romero Bock, head of the mission to the Mexican Embassy in Lebanon.
Their collective commitment and support have helped to promote these vital conversations in feminist memory, justice and the building of peace.
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