The achievements of 200 Palestinian women were celebrated on January 7th in the city of Sidon, South Lebanon, at a major graduation event attended by their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Switzerland and Canada, the Mayor of Sidon and Janet Longmore, President and CEO of Digital Opportunity Trust.

The women participated in DOT's economic, social and humanitarian development training programs that were delivered in the Ein al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon.

The programs, entitled "Women in Technology: Power of Tomorrow" and "Modern Voices for Protection", are initiatives funded by the Canadian and Swiss governments and implemented by DOT Lebanon in collaboration with Palestinian organizations, the Solidarity Association for Social & Cultural Development and the Women's Program Center.

"Women In Technology: Power of Tomorrow" provides women who are having difficulty finding employment with the skills and confidence to increase their employability.

"Modern Voices for Protection," whose slogan is "Aswatouna" [Our Voices], teaches participants information technology, leadership and advocacy skills, and how they can take control of their lives and connect to the available services that they need. Increased confidence and connection is raising awareness about social issues and facilitating the sharing of information in Ein al-Hilweh.

Mayor Mohammad Saudi, Swiss Ambassador Ruth Flint and Canadian Ambassador Hilary Childs-Adams praised the women for their dedication and hoped to continue Swiss-Canadian cooperation in Palestine.

Through its local organization, DOT Lebanon, and with partners such as CIDA, Digital Opportunity Trust has been supporting economic and social development in Lebanon since 2003.

During the ceremony, DOT President and CEO Janet Longmore stated that these programs are examples of how DOT Lebanon is contributing to the youth of Lebanon and Palestine. "Palestinian women want to participate, they have many hopes, they always want to improve themselves, and we need to repeat this event again and again. Today's event was an inspiration and celebration. Over 200 Palestinian women coming together - with new skills that enable them to use technology to communicate with each other, to support each other - to realize their hopes and aspirations - and to begin exploring opportunities for business and income generation. Skills that will last a lifetime. Many of the women told me today that they were more confident now in advocating for their needs - and believed they were now able to take the first steps toward economic independence," Longmore observed.

Led by Program Manager Marianne Bitar Karam, DOT Lebanon works with partners such as CIDA, Cisco, the Swiss Development Agency, the Partnership for Lebanon and others to support young women and men in the use of technology to lead economic change in their communities.