legal expert

Stigma and  discrimination against vulnerable women, most notably those who are engaged in
sex for money, ex-prisoners, substance users, transsexual and transgender
individuals, is overwhelming in various sectors across Lebanon, including but
not restricted to the workplace, whereby these individuals are consistently
stigmatized, abused and often denied their right to work. This project’s
general goal is to enhance practices/policies/programs related to the rights of
vulnerable women to work in a discrimination and stigma-free environment as
well as to incentivize employers to embrace pro-women policies in the
workplace.With support from USAID, DAA will work to raise awareness of and sensitize employers
on the rights of vulnerable women to work in an inclusive environment free of
stigmatization and discrimination. Under this project, vulnerable women include
current and/or former sex workers, current and/or formers substance users,
ex-prisoners, transgender and transsexual individuals. In order to encourage
employers to adhere to pro-women policies, the project will use action-oriented
research to understand fears, apprehensions and obstacles preventing employers
from hiring vulnerable women, and design targeted messages accordingly. The
project will also support the advocacy component which will be implemented by
the project partner SIDC, whereby DAA will work on drafting pro-women policies,
as well as producing knowledge on the subject matter and document the
achievements of the project for further promotion of the cause, i.e. the right
to work of vulnerable women.