乐鱼 体育

The only way forward to increase women鈥檚 involvement in Lebanese politics is to promote political literacy, challenge gender stereotypes and patriarchal systems, and support female candidates through mentorship and financial assistance.

Lebanon has come a long way since a woman was first elected to its parliament. In 1963, Myrna Boustani took over her late father鈥檚 seat in an uncontested election, yet her tenure was short-lived. Fast forward to 2025, have just been appointed to serve in government under the new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. These women leaders come from diverse political, geographical and professional backgrounds.  

This promises new change, as this government is presenting itself as a new beginning for youth and women. However, reaching this record has been slow and not without its challenges鈥攎ainly coming patriarchal views and gender discrimination.  

Legislation: The engine of change 

My journey as a journalist was a crucial stepping stone. Through my sociopolitical work, I gained an insight into the struggles that women face. Being appointed as the minister of state for economic empowerment of women and youth was a tremendous opportunity to drive meaningful change at a national level. 

A few months into my tenure, I secured a special parliamentary session with the speaker of the house dedicated to addressing gender-discriminatory legislation. The session was scheduled to take place on International Women鈥檚 Day in March 2020, symbolizing a commitment to real change in women鈥檚 lives. It was set to advance women鈥檚 rights by tackling key issues such as amending the nationality law that prohibited women from passing nationality to their children, banning child marriage, extending parental leave, and increasing gender representation in corporate leadership.  

These fundamental rights are essential for achieving true gender equality and ensuring women can lead dignified lives. However, before the session could take place, Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned, and with the onset of the COVID-19 lockdowns, progress was brought to a standstill, leaving these crucial reforms on hold. 

Gender quotas: equitable representation 

Despite five years of advocacy, Lebanon鈥檚 progress on gender equality in political leadership remains critically slow. 鈥淲omen Leaders in Politics,鈥� a report authored by FiftyFifty, a Lebanese NGO dedicated to gender parity, ranks Lebanon 174 out of 190 countries globally and 15 out of 17 regionally for female parliamentary representation. Recognizing this, in 2021, the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) submitted a quota law to the parliament. Recently, another two were submitted by FiftyFifty supported by most political parties. A temporary legislated gender quota will ensure a minimum level of women鈥檚 representation in the upcoming municipal and parliamentary elections. 

FiftyFifty President Joelle Abu Farhat emphasized that 鈥渢hese quotas are essential to empowering women to serve their communities and to significantly improve female representation in parliament by 2026.鈥� Passing these laws would not only be a significant step forward for Lebanese women but also inspire future generations to actively participate in building a more inclusive and equitable Lebanon. 

According to the World Bank, women made up of the Lebanese population in 2023鈥攋ust over half the country, and yet women hold only 21% of the cabinet positions. There is a demand鈥攁lmost a hunger鈥攆or gender equality from Lebanese youth. With Lebanon being one of the most progressive societies in the Arab world, sectarian beliefs and the existing power structures hold back women鈥檚 political advancement. Additionally, women face societal expectations that can discourage their political dreams. In many cases, they are expected to prioritize family and traditional roles over public life, discouraging many talented women from pursuing political careers.  

Women鈥檚 future in politics 

Despite ongoing political challenges, Lebanon鈥檚 economic collapse, and the global COVID-19 pandemic, Lebanese women cannot be abandoned. It is vital to continue working on legislation to protect women from rape and violence, educate them, and give them the tools needed to lead independent and productive lives. As the president of Indeed Better Together, a Lebanese NGO supporting women and youth, our work aligns with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the understanding that economic empowerment is a catalyst for women. By fostering financial independence, we create pathways for women to exercise their choices and actively participate in politics or in any field they like. 

This goal of empowering women is echoed in the NCLW鈥檚 ambitious . Claudine Aoun, the former president of NCLW, says the success for its plan 鈥渉inges on overcoming significant financial challenges, requiring donor support and strong coordination between public and private sectors, international entities, and civil society. Crucially, commitment from ministers, officials, and all involved, rooted in belief in the strategy鈥檚 principles, is essential.鈥� 

The only way forward to increase women鈥檚 involvement in Lebanese politics is to promote political literacy, challenge gender stereotypes and patriarchal systems, and support female candidates through mentorship and financial assistance. The role of women in politics must be regarded with the utmost seriousness. By addressing these key areas, Lebanon can build a more inclusive and equitable political landscape where women have stronger voices and greater influence in shaping the country鈥檚 future. 

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Courtesy of Apolitical Foundation

The views represented in this piece are those of the author and do not express the official position of the 乐鱼 体育 or Apolitical Foundation.鈥� 鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;