Women in Beirut: Rebuilding our city
Stories of resilience, hope and solidarity in the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut blast
In August 2020, an explosion destroyed the port of Beirut. More than 200 people lost their lives and thousands of small and medium women-owned businesses were destroyed. Kim Chakanetsa meets two entrepreneurs who are now working to rebuild their city and keep the economy going.
In 2018, Joelle Azar quit her job in banking and with the help of her three sisters, opened a food store in the centre of Beirut, where theysold produce made by local female farmers and artisans. On the day of the explosion, she was on her way to work when a balcony fell on her car. It took months for Joelle to get back on her feet, and even though her sisters have now left the country, she is determined to stay, keep the shop open and help her community heal.
Nour Tannir is a 27-year-old architect and entrepreneur. In 2017 Nour and her sister-in-law, jewellery designer Yasmine Dabbous, launched EspaceFann, a social enterprise offering women affordable workshops and professional courses in textile, design and traditional crafts. Their studios were seriously damaged by the blast, and as part of the reconstruction and healing process, their students worked on a tapestry dedicated to the victims of the explosion. Nour also owns her own brand of contemporary designs for religious rituals, 786 Faithful Solutions.
