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Political system and gender stereotypes impede women political participation

15-1-2018

In her master’s dissertation in Human Rights and Democratization (EMA) at the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratization (EIUC) in Italy, Hind Sherif pointed out that the political infrastructure in Lebanon nurtures toxic elements that impede the political involvement of women and the State’s transition into democracy. Sharif said the key factor undermining this involvement is the political family legacy, noting that the Lebanese confessional power-sharing system fosters the dominance of politicians. Lebanese women’s participation in the political life remains sidelined, Sharif indicated, citing the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) figures which ranked Lebanon 185 among 193 countries according to the Women in Parliament Global Index, where female shares roughly reached 31%. On the political engagement of women, the minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, supported in a tweet the participation of women in elections, asking parties to nominate and strongly and truly back women. On the other hand, UN Women, Abaad organization and Connecting Research to Development (CRD), launched on Friday the findings of the Lebanese iteration of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey in the MENA region. The study which covered 1050 men and 1136 women residents in Lebanon tackled many stereotypes associated with men’s attitudes as well as female viewpoints, in addition to highlighting actions to achieve gender equality. When respondents were asked about their attitudes towards women’s participation in leadership positions, men expressed their backing for women leaders of NGOs rather than supporting females as religious leaders, heads of political parties, heads of state or military officers. (L’Orient Le Jour, January 13, 2018)

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