Some of the world’s most prominent companies are led by women. These accomplished female business leaders include Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook; Indra Nooyi, CEO and chair of PepsiCo; Ginni Rometty, the chair, president, and CEO of IBM, and first woman to head the company; and Diane Von Furstenberg, president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. What is the difference between these women and business women in Lebanon? Nothing at all. In fact, as impressive and accomplished as these women are, I’d wager I could find a woman who’s as much of a whiz at diplomacy and negotiation while haggling with a store manager in Bourj Hammoud on a Tuesday as any of the more high-positioned ladies referenced above. The dismal number of women in the upper echelons of Lebanon’s business world has nothing to do with a lack of talent, determination, ambition, or smarts, and everything
Em Khalil is Bou Khalil Supermarket’s counter brand, the voice that tackles gender-associated laws and societal stereotypes in Lebanon. For more of Em Khalil’s thoughts, follow her on Instagram: @therealemkhalil
