WCC INTERVIEW: Women in Lebanon: “Stop the Madness of War, Lebanon deserves to live!”

In the midst of the devastating war sweeping Lebanon, killing and displacing its people, the Women’s Pastoral Office of the Maronite Church in Bkerki, Lebanon has launched a cry and  issued a statement entitled “Stop the Madness of War, Lebanon deserves to live!”

Mirna Abboud Mzawak, coordinator of the office, took time to reflect on the motivation behind the statement, some of the daily realities women are facing, and how women across the world can help.

What was the motivation behind the statement?

Mzawak: As the Women’s Pastoral Office of the Maronite Church in Lebanon, we have been deeply moved by the trials faced by families, and particularly women and children, at the heart of this war. The motivation behind our statement is to express our solidarity with those bearing the weight of this crisis while calling for peace and justice. As a church, our mission is to promote human dignity and the moral strength of families and women who, despite the hardships, play a vital role in maintaining social cohesion and supporting the most vulnerable. We also seek to raise awareness and mobilize the international community and local consciences to the urgent need to protect and support Lebanon, which embodies the existential importance of the constitutive diversity of any social fabric for a life lived together, equal and distinct.

Can you describe some of the day-to-day realities women are facing?

Mzawak: Lebanese women, in this context of war, face immense daily challenges. They are often the first to bear the burden of caring for their families under extreme conditions of hardship, with limited access to essential resources like food, water, healthcare, and education. They also live under a constant threat of violence and insecurity, increasing their vulnerability and that of their children. Despite this, they show resilience and courage, continuing to care for their families and communities. As an office, we recognize their sacrifice and strength and commit to supporting them in their daily lives.

More specifically, a non-displaced woman must manage household tasks, her professional responsibilities, and, at the same time, help displaced families who lack the means to meet even their most basic needs.

A displaced woman must overcome fear and the suffering of losing her home and belongings. She has to meet the demands of her day as if she were still at home, with very few resources. She must calm her children’s fears, her husband’s anger, and the distress of elderly family members.

How can women across the world help?

Mzawak: Global solidarity letter: “Stop the Madness of War, Lebanon Deserves to Live” is essential to support Lebanese women in these difficult times. Women everywhere can help by raising their voices to spread awareness about the situation and suffering of Lebanese women, advocating for peaceful intervention and targeted humanitarian aid. They can also support local and international organizations that provide emergency assistance and resources to families. Additionally, by building networks of support and exchange, women worldwide can share their experiences, skills, resilience, and strength, thus reinforcing a movement of women’s solidarity that transcends borders and brings moral comfort to women in Lebanon.

They can also create networks of solidarity through thought, reflection, prayer, and action.

Read the full statement: “Stop the Madness of War, Lebanon deserves to live!”