Women’s War Stories: The Lebanese Civil War, Women’s Labor, and the Creative Arts

Women have been excluded from official writing on Lebanese history, particularly in writing about the Lebanese Civil War. This book focuses on the multiple roles women played in wartime Lebanon and addresses the essential issues of their work and creative production, such as literature, performance art, and filmmaking. It is developed out of a larger oral history project collecting and archiving women's experiences of the war.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2022
Publisher: Syracuse University Press

Women have consistently been excluded from the official writing of Lebanese history, particularly in the realm of writing about the Lebanese Civil War. This exclusion is particularly evident in the limited attention given to the diverse roles that women played during the war. As more and more histories of the war emerge, there is a growing recognition of the need to include comprehensive discussions of the contributions of women in wartime Lebanon. However, even fewer works address the critical issues of women's labor and their creative output, such as literature, performance art, and filmmaking.

To address this gap, this book emerged as a result of a larger oral history project aimed at collecting and archiving the narratives of women who experienced the Lebanese Civil War. The project sought to capture the diverse experiences and perspectives of women who played various roles during this tumultuous period, from fighters on the front lines to artists and creators in the aftermath.

The book is organized into six chapters, each centered on a different group of women who worked or created art during the war. Through their own words, these women reveal the challenges, struggles, and resistance they faced during this period of Lebanese history. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including the experiences of women in refugee camps, the role of women in the resistance movement, and the impact of the war on women's mental health.

One of the key themes that emerges from the book is the resilience and determination of women in the face of adversity. Despite the overwhelming challenges they faced, including displacement, violence, and loss, these women found ways to continue their work and create art that reflected their experiences. They used their creativity as a means of coping and expressing their emotions, and their contributions to the war effort were invaluable.

Another important aspect of the book is the recognition of the diverse roles that women played in the war. Women were not just victims or survivors, but also fighters, leaders, and organizers. They played a critical role in the resistance movement, providing support and resources to fellow fighters and advocating for their rights and dignity. Women also contributed to the war's cultural legacy, creating art and literature that documented the experiences of their communities and served as a means of healing and resilience.

However, the book also highlights the ongoing challenges that women face in Lebanon and the broader region. Despite the progress that has been made in recent years, women continue to be marginalized and underrepresented in political and social institutions. They face discrimination and violence, and their creative output is often undervalued and underfunded.

To address these challenges, the book calls for a more inclusive and equitable society that recognizes the contributions of women and promotes their rights and dignity. It emphasizes the need for education, empowerment, and support for women's creative and economic endeavors, as well as for the recognition of their historical and cultural contributions.

In conclusion, Women in War: Lebanese Women's Stories of the Civil War is a groundbreaking work that provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of the Lebanese Civil War and the roles of women in it. Through the narratives of these women, the book sheds light on the challenges, struggles, and resilience of women in wartime Lebanon and highlights the need for a more inclusive and equitable society that recognizes and values the contributions of women. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of this conflict and the role of women in shaping its history.

Weight: 360g
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780815637820