Women’s rights prominent in political rhetoric but absent when it comes to actions

At the time when Lebanese laws still deny women their basic rights as citizens, politicians continue to  support to women's rights in speeches they make during various political and social occasions but address these matters either partially or superficially while approaching women’s right in a partial or superficial manner and without giving due consideration to the fundamental principle of inclusive citizenship and full equality.
Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces leader presented his presidential programme yesterday where he highlighted his commitment to revising all laws affecting women’s rights or limiting their prospects for advancement, stating that "our commitment to women's rights is part of our commitment to human rights”. He also commended the growing public awareness and readiness to protect women when subjected to violence and discrimination.
Following the passing of the maimed law for the protection of women from domestic violence, the Minister of Interior and Municipalities Nihad Mashnook, discussed yesterday,with a delegation from Kaf, headed by Leila Awada, ways to uphold the role of security forces in the fight against domestic violence crimes, and the possibility of setting up all throughout Lebanon specialized centers for hostong and sheltering of women and children victims of domestic violence. Mashnook promised to follow up this matter with the Internal Security Forces and with other concerned institutions and associations.
Finally, and despite repeated failed attempts to incorporate women's quota in the electoral law, MP Robert Ghanem, expressed yesterday his support to this demand in a speech given during a conference  organized by Parliament in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation and entitled “Parliamentary Elections 2014 – Challenges and Opportunities”. For her part, Yara Nassar, the Executive Director of the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), gave an overview of the state of Lebanese women in political life, stating that despite the absence of any legal restrictions preventing women from running for elections, social and political factors, and the resistance of the key political parties remain the biggest obstacles to women’s access to political leadership positions

Source: Al- Diyar, Al-Mustaqbal, The Daily Star 17 April 2014