Women’s Empowerment in Action: From Home to Leadership

Hello, my name is Dima Chaker, I am from Akkar, North of Lebanon, I am 22 years old and I’m so happy to share my experience with LP4Y.

Before I joined LP4Y, I was just staying at home with no clear goal or direction. But through this program, I experienced true women’s empowerment. I developed new skills, gained confidence, and took control of my future. From cooking in a micro company to leading a store team, LP4Y helped me step into leadership and discover the real me.

During the three-month training, I was in the restaurant micro company, I did learn lots of things like cooking and managing to cook big quantities, being able to finish the food in limited time, so I developed so many skills like time management, speak confidently because we had to introduce always our micro company to the new comers , teamwork, and most importantly, believe in myself. In the last month, they prepared us to find a job. We went door to door, applying to different companies.

After some time, I got a call from a company called Marie France, it is a leading lingerie brand known for its hosiery, underwear, and broader apparel lines. They told me I had a job interview, I went for the interview and I was so afraid, the coaches motivated me a lot, I arrived and the manager was waiting for me, she asked me some questions and she asked me to stay for some hours to see if I will like the work or not, and I liked it then they accepted me as a sales employee. I worked really hard, and I loved what I was doing. Because of my dedication, they promoted me, and now I’m proud to say that I’m a store manager. As a store manager, I am responsible for all the organization in the store, to divide the tasks of the employees, check the orders and all the finance at the end of the day.

If I could change one thing during my training, I would participate more from the beginning. I was a little shy at first, but I learned that I actually can lead and take initiative.

Today, I’m proud of who I’ve become. I’m not the same girl I was before. I’m confident, independent, and motivated, and yes, I’m truly happy with my life.