# Arab Institute for Women

> Lebanese research institution

**Wikidata**: [Q48977859](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48977859)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arab-institute-for-women

## Summary
The Arab Institute for Women (AIW), also known as the Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW), is a Lebanese research institution founded in 1973. Dedicated to women's studies, it operates as a specialized unit within the Lebanese American University in Beirut, focusing on research and documentation regarding women in the Arab world.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1973
- **Location:** Beirut, Lebanon
- **Parent Organization:** Lebanese American University
- **Also Known As:** Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW), AIW, Institut arabe pour les femmes
- **Primary Field:** Women's studies
- **Area of Interest:** Women in the Arab world
- **Notable Work:** *Who is She in Lebanon?*
- **Website:** http://iwsaw.lau.edu.lb/
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n79035872
- **GND ID:** 5062474-X
- **VIAF ID:** 153451738
- **ISNI:** 0000000121884448
- **Yale LUX ID:** group/dfcd1f21-b5df-450b-874c-37ef786f772b
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007258480005171
- **UIA Open Yearbook ID:** 1100021227

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Arab Institute for Women?
A: The institute functions as a research organization dedicated to the field of women's studies, specifically focusing on the status and roles of women in the Arab world.

### Q: Is the Arab Institute for Women part of a university?
A: Yes, it is a part of the Lebanese American University, operating as its dedicated research arm for gender studies.

### Q: What is the institute's most notable publication?
A: The institute is credited with the creation of *Who is She in Lebanon?*, a project likely serving as a directory or biographical resource for Lebanese women.

### Q: How is the institute classified in library and knowledge systems?
A: It is classified as a research institute (distinct from a think tank or scientific society) and holds authority records in major library systems including the Library of Congress (n79035872) and the German National Library (5062474-X).

## Why It Matters
The Arab Institute for Women represents a critical infrastructure for advancing knowledge regarding gender dynamics in the Middle East. As a research institute, it exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation, distinct from the teaching-focused mission of its parent university. By concentrating resources on the field of women's studies, it provides a space for long-term inquiry into the challenges and contributions of women in the Arab world. Its work facilitates a deeper understanding of regional social structures and contributes to the global body of research on gender, offering data and insights that might not fit within standard academic or corporate timelines.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Focus:** Dedicated exclusively to women's studies and the Arab world, distinguishing it from broader research centers.
- **Long-standing Presence:** Established in 1973, indicating decades of continuous operation in its field.
- **Unique Output:** Production of the notable work *Who is She in Lebanon?*, suggesting a focus on documenting the achievements of Lebanese women.
- **Academic Integration:** Functioning as a specialized unit within the Lebanese American University while maintaining the distinct operational focus of a research institute.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
The Arab Institute for Women (AIW) is formally classified as a **research institute**, an organization whose primary purpose is to conduct research rather than teaching or commercial activity. It is identified in library cataloging systems via the Library of Congress Authority ID `n79035872` and the German National Library GND ID `5062474-X`.

It operates under several aliases internationally, including:
- Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW)
- Institut arabe pour les femmes
- AIW

### Affiliation and Location
The institute is physically headquartered in **Beirut, Lebanon**, and functions as a constituent part of the **Lebanese American University**. This affiliation places it within a broader academic ecosystem while allowing it to maintain the focused mission of a dedicated research unit. Its geographic location positions it as a central node for research concerning the Arab region.

### Research Focus and Output
The institute's core field of work is **women's studies**, with a specific topical interest in **women in the Arab world**. Unlike think tanks, which often focus on policy influence, the AIW operates as a research institute focused on fundamental inquiry and knowledge generation.

Its most cited notable work is **"Who is She in Lebanon?"** This project implies a focus on biographical documentation and the visibility of women's contributions to Lebanese society.

### Global Identifiers and Networks
The entity maintains a robust presence in international bibliographic and organizational databases, ensuring its work is discoverable globally:
- **VIAF (Virtual International Authority File):** 153451738
- **ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier):** 0000000121884448
- **Yale LUX ID:** group/dfcd1f21-b5df-450b-874c-37ef786f772b
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007258480005171
- **UIA Open Yearbook Organization Website ID:** 1100021227

The institute maintains an active web presence at `http://iwsaw.lau.edu.lb/`.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://archive.unescwa.org/institute-womens-studies-arab-world)
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File