Women in Beirut: Promoting women’s rights through sport

Kim Chakanetsa meets two trailblazing athletes who help promote women’s participation in sports.

Ray Bassil is the first Arab woman to compete in three Olympic games and win three consecutive World Cup medals in trap shooting. Ray has become a prominent figure in Lebanese sports, breaking barriers as a female athlete in this a male-dominated field. She has also worked with UNDP as youth and gender Goodwill Ambassador.

Sarah El Jizi is a basketball player who leads a series of sports programs for Right To Play, an NGO promoting skills development and social cohesion among youth in refugee camps. Sarah works with local female coaches to teach kids life skills like inter-faith dialogue, effective communication, respect and team-work through sport.

Produced by Alice Gioia. Sound recording by Antonio Nakhoul.

(Image: (L) Sarah El Jizi. (R) Ray Bassil.)