The webinar, featuring Oliver Walton and Waradas Thiyagaraja from the University of Bath and Lina Abou-Habib from the Asfari Institute, examined the roles of women and sexual minority movements in Lebanon and Sri Lanka amidst ongoing crises. The session focused on major protests in these countries—the October 17th revolution in Lebanon and the Aragalaya (struggle) in Sri Lanka—both driven by issues such as corruption, lack of accountability, and poor public services. The speakers highlighted the active participation of women and sexual minorities in these movements, despite significant adversity, and their efforts to fill gaps in social protection. Lina Abou-Habib discussed her work connecting Lebanon’s women’s movement with regional and international activists, while Waradas Thiyagaraja explored the intersection of sexual and gender justice with armed conflict and post-war transitions.

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