Background: 

Since 2019, Lebanon has faced an unprecedented economic crisis, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut Port explosion in 2020, and escalating regional conflicts. The ongoing crisis has particularly affected marginalized groups, with women and youth bearing the brunt of economic and social instability. Female labor force participation has declined from 29% in 2019 to 26% by 2022, further widening the gender gap as male participation stands at 66%. Amid these challenges, UNDP Lebanon launched a 3.5-year program focused on empowering women entrepreneurs and women-led MSMEs to promote economic resilience, stability, and growth. 

This program addresses systemic gender inequalities by supporting public and private institutions in Lebanon, enabling them to better cater to women’s economic needs. Through capacity building, financial support, and promoting equal access to economic opportunities, the project aims to elevate women’s roles in Lebanon’s economic landscape, contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable economic development. 

Triangle’s Assignment: 

Triangle is conducting a gender-sensitive assessment of Lebanon’s economic sectors, focusing on identifying high-potential sectors for fostering women’s economic empowerment. The consultancy analyzes economic challenges and gender-based barriers while prioritizing sectors that offer opportunities for women entrepreneurs and women-led MSMEs. 

Objectives: 

The consultancy has four primary objectives: 

• To analyze Lebanon’s economic sectors, identifying those with the highest growth potential and suitability for increased women’s economic participation. 
• To conduct a gender-sensitive mapping of prioritized sectors, exploring structural and social barriers, including informal norms and cultural constraints. 
• To assess access to resources for women, including financial services, technical skills, and business support, and to understand gender-based disparities in decision-making power. 
• To provide actionable recommendations and a gender strategy, guiding UNDP’s programmatic approach to supporting women-led enterprises in Lebanon. 

Research Approach & Methodology: 

Triangle adopts a structured approach, utilizing the following components: 

• Sector Analysis and Prioritization: Reviewing Lebanon’s economic sectors, pre- and post-2019, analyzing sector performance indicators (GDP, employment, exports) and regional dynamics to shortlist high-potential sectors for women’s economic involvement. 
• Gender-Sensitive Mapping: Performing an in-depth analysis of selected sectors, identifying gender-based barriers to participation. This includes examining legal, cultural, and economic factors affecting women’s roles, responsibilities, and access to resources. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Conducting key informant interviews with stakeholders across public, private, and community sectors to provide insight into barriers and opportunities for women in Lebanon’s economy. 
• OECD-DAC Framework: Organizing findings using the OECD-DAC criteria, with an emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, and gender responsiveness, aligning with UNDP’s gender and economic empowerment objectives.