Infographic sets out false alarms on high rates of single women in Lebanon

In its issue of today, As Safir daily newspaper published interviews with a number of single women in Lebanon following a controversial infographic depicting celibacy rates in the Arab region, with Lebanon topping the list at 85% of single women. According to As Safir, some women talked down the seriousness of the post on Russia Today site a few weeks ago, noting that it lacked scientific evidence, particularly that it has been copied from another yet shadowy site ‘Here is Instagram’- on Holland Radio back in 2013. When asked by the newspaper about the credibility of the information, Dr. Dima Dabbous media professor and former director of the Institute for Women Studies at the Lebanese American University said they were not credible, especially that the research did not specify the sample or the adopted methodology. She went on to say that on the contrary if the age group of respondents was for example between 20 and 29-years, this would be a positive sign that Lebanese girls are becoming more educated and are planning a career life ahead of marriage. Furthermore, Dabbous objected to the use of the term "spinster"by the infographic, calling it pure male chauvinism and far from being objective.

Similarly, Dr. Michael Khury, psychiatrist and expert on mental health, told As Safir that the phenomenon of late marriage among the Lebanese women has its socio-demographic and psychological factors, and it is also subject to changing gender roles. Missan Leissi Satu7hi (single, 34), a lecturer at Sharja University in the United Arab Emirate, pointed out that while some married couples believe that single women are “pathetic”, others “envy the freedom we enjoy,” she added. She said women in Lebanon are now more ready to give up the traditional gender roles and are more focused on pursuing their academic and career objectives. Again, Maria Abdel Rahman (32), the regional director of Heartland Alliance NGO, stated that she will refuse to be interviewed should the report contribute to portraying single women as miserable persons.

As Safir, January 12, 2016