L’Oréal – UNESCO “For Women in Science” celebrates a decade of empowering
accomplished female scientists from the Levant region, honoring six young promising scientists from
Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Palestine.
The award ceremony took place on Thursday, October 05 2023, at the Middle East Airlines Training Center
in Beirut, under the patronage and in the presence of caretaker minister of information in Lebanon Mr.
Ziad Makary.
The L’Oreal -UNESCO “For Women in Science” Levant young talents program was launched in Lebanon in
2014, in partnership with the National Council for Scientific Research. Its primary objective is to
acknowledge the pivotal role women from Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Palestine, are playing in
advancing the development of the Levant region, while also serving as an inspiration to future generations
of women, particularly those who may be hesitant about pursuing a career in science. Since its inception,
the program has annually honored six young female researchers, highlighting their achievements and
providing them with the necessary support to facilitate the completion of their groundbreaking scientific
studies.”
Throughout the last ten years, the program has extended its support to more than 60 young female
researchers at doctoral postdoctoral levels, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to empowering women
in the realm of science. By recognizing, promoting, and encouraging outstanding young women in their
scientific journeys, the program remains steadfast in its mission to enhance the presence of women in the
scientific arena, foster their advancement into leadership roles, and actively contribute to decision-making
processes
The Levant regional program is part of the international “For Women in Science” program, launched in
1998 by the L’Oréal Foundation in partnership with UNESCO. This initiative is built on a deep conviction that
“the world needs science, and science needs women”. Over the past 25 years, the program has honored
more than 4,100 distinguished female researchers and awarded 127 laureates from over 110 countries.
Among these 127 laureates, 5 have subsequently received the Nobel Prize, and 2 others have recently been
honored with the Nobel Prize, bringing the total to 7.
The Levant regional program is part of the L’Oréal – UNESCO “For Women in Science” international
program, launched by the L’Oréal Foundation in partnership with UNESCO in 1998, driven by their strong
belief that “the world needs science, and science needs women.” Over the past 25 years, the program has
honored more than 4,100 outstanding female researchers, including 127 recipients of the international
awards, in over 110 countries. Among these 127 laureates, 5 have subsequently been awarded the Nobel
Prize, and 2 others have recently been honored with the Nobel Prize, bringing the total to 7.
On this occasion, H.E. minister Ziad Makary delivered a speech in which he stated “This prestigious annual
award elevates women in the field of research, encouraging them to advance and make pioneering
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scientific achievements that offer effective solutions to health, environmental, and social challenges, both
locally and globally”. Makary praised the remarkable success of the Lebanese female researchers,
highlighting their ability to succeed and excel despite all difficulties faced over the past four years. He
emphasized that Lebanon’s success proves the country’s strong resilience and its ability to overcome
challenges, and make an outstanding performance. He concluded “This award represents a beacon of hope,
innovation, and a vision for the future”.
From her end, Ms. Emilie Wahab Harb, Managing Director of L’Oréal Liban, extended her congratulations
to the winners, and stated: “The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has built a strong
foundation in the Levant region over the past decade, but this is just the beginning. 60 young women
scientists were rewarded for their exceptional achievements, and this is a source of pride for us.” She
concluded by confirming “As we move into the next decade, we are committed to drive systematic change,
promote organization success, further empower women and break barriers for our female researchers,
championing their aspirations and enabling them to tackle pressing challenges, to take the lead and inspire
generations to come.”
Dr. Tamara El Zein, Secretary-General of the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Head of
Jury, emphasized that: “Beyond numbers and percentages, we should keep in mind that unlocking the full
potential of Science requires including the talents and creativity of women scientists. Equal representation
is mandatory to bring diversity of visions, which is the cornerstone to build a more balanced scientific
capital conducting research with positive impact on the whole society.”
The event was presented by journalist Rita Pia Antoun, and attended by prominent political, diplomatic,
and social figures, in addition to representatives of academic, scientific and research institutions, as well as
NGOs and media outlets.
About the 2023 winners: in this year’s edition, six promising female scientists were selected from a pool of
100 candidates. The program’s dedication to showcasing their achievements and its strong conviction that
they serve as role models for countless future generations, ensure a promising future for Science in the
Levant region and the world.
“Postdoctoral Researchers”
Dr. Cybel Mehawej, from Lebanon: Assistant Professor at the Lebanese American University.
Awarded for her project that aims to uncover new genes responsible of Inborn Errors of Immunity
IEI.
Dr. Dereen Najat, from Iraq: Assistant Professor at Sulaimania University. Awarded for her project
on non-invasive specific blood tests for early detection of endometriosis.
Dr. Sana Bardaweel, from Jordan: Professor at the University of Jordan. Awarded for her project on
developing new treatments for lung cancer, through selective targeting of proteins that encourage
tumor growth.
“PhD Students”
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Mme Hiyam Ibrahim, from Palestine: PhD student at the Lebanese University. Awarded for her PhD
project on developing immersive exergames for postural and balance dysfunction in patients with
multiple sclerosis.
Mme Joy Elian El Hayek, from Lebanon: PhD student at Saint-Joseph University of Beirut. Awarded
for her PhD project on implementing digital dentistry into pediatrics.
Mme Rim Wehbe, from Lebanon: PhD student at the American University of Beirut. Awarded for
her PhD project on understanding the effects of the bacterial flora on gut cell renewal and immunity
in local mosquito species, in order to develop effective and new control strategies.
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“For Women in Science” – 25 Years of Commitment: Since 1998, the Fondation L’Oréal, in partnership with
UNESCO, has worked to improve the representation of women in scientific careers, remaining strong in the
conviction that the world needs science, and science needs women. Since its creation, the “For Women in
Science” program supported and raised the profile of 127 laureates and more than 4,000 talented young
scientists, both doctoral and post-doctoral candidates, providing research fellowships allocated annually in
110 countries around the world.
About the Regional Program for the Levant region: The L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Levant
Fellowship Program was launched in 2014, in partnership with the National Council for Scientific Research
(CNRS) in Lebanon. It aims to promote and empower Arab women scientists from the Levant region,
namely Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine. It acknowledges women scientists’ crucial role in the
development of the region.
About Foudation L’Oréal: The Foudation L’Oréal supports women to help them fulfill their full potential,
shape their destiny and have a positive impact on society, in three areas of activity: scientific research,
inclusive beauty and climate change. Launched in 1998, the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in
Science” program is dedicated to accelerating the careers of women scientists and
addressing the challenges they face so they can contribute to solving the great challenges of our time. In 24
years, the program has supported more than 4,100 women researchers from over 110 countries. It
promotes scientific excellence and seeks to inspire young women to pursue scientific careers. Convinced
that beauty contributes to the process of rebuilding oneself, the Fondation L’Oréal helps vulnerable women
to improve their self-esteem by giving them access to free beauty and wellbeing treatments. It also
promotes access to employment for vulnerable women through high level training in the beauty
industry. On average, around 16,000 people benefit from these beauty and wellness treatments annually,
and more than 35,000 people have been able to attend dedicated training courses since the launch
of the program. Finally, women are victims of ongoing gender inequalities and discrimination, exacerbated
by climate change. They are among the first to be affected by the consequences of global warming, yet
they are underrepresented in decision-making structures. The Fondation L’Oréal’s Women and Climate
program supports women with projects that address climate change and raise awareness of the need for
solutions that consider the intersectionality of gender and climate issues.
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About UNESCO: Since its establishment in 1945, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, has worked to create the framework for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and
people, based on respect for shared values. UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the construction of
peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through its unique
expertise in education, science, culture, communication and information. The organization has two global
priorities: Africa and gender equality. UNESCO is the only UN specialized agency with a specific mandate
in the sciences, represented by the ‘S’ in its acronym. Through its science-related programs, UNESCO
contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals helps developing
countries to build their scientific and technological capacities. It also supports member states in
achieving the Millennium Development Goals and developing effective public policies that integrate local
and indigenous knowledge systems. Further, UNESCO promotes scientific research and expertise in
developing countries. The organization leads several intergovernmental programs on the sustainable
management of freshwater, ocean and terrestrial resources, the preservation of biodiversity, and the use of
science to combat climate change and disaster risk reduction. With national and regional offices across all
continents, UNESCO supports international scientific cooperation and works with many partners at a global,
regional and national scale. Through its network of partners, the organization is able to draw on resources,
knowledge and expertise to promote its ideals and values, while strengthening the impact and visibility of
its action in all its fields of competence.
