Lebanese women are socially, economically and politically empowered

Guarantee equal rights and civic duties to all citizens

• Gender equality is the state of equitable access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including political and economic participation and decision-making

• Gender inequality is a major barrier to human development

• Rectifying gender inequality is proven to help economic growth and development and to build stable, resilient societies

• The disadvantages facing women and girls are a major source of social, political and economic inequality in the Lebanese society

• Neither peace nor social cohesion can be achieved without granting women empowered roles in the Lebanese society

1. % of women in workforce

2. % of parliamentary seats occupied by females

3. % of women on company boards

4. Gender Gap Index (WEF)

5. Gender Inequality Index (UNDP)

6. Gender Development Index (GDI)

Lebanese women face underrepresentation in positions of power

• 8% on private sector leadership boards
• 9% deputies in parliament
• 26% of labor force participation (71% for men)
• 3% of all loans (according to IFC)
• Estimated Earned Income is $7,106 vs. $26,157 for men

2.Lebanon is behind many countries in the region

• Failed to set the minimum marriage age at 18, and
• Ranked 8th worst country in terms of the Gender Gap Index and 2nd worst for women’s participation in politics according to the World Economic Forum

3.Domestic violence laws fail to criminalize marital rape, despite amendments to law 293 in December 2020 to include violence “from marriage”

• The Internal Security Forces said domestic violence reports doubled in 2020, with 1,468 cases received in the last 12 months, up from 747 during the previous year

4.Existing measures are modest and superficial (Article 562 of the Penal Code modified to abrogate exonerating circumstances and keep extenuating circumstances, Law 293 against domestic violence passed after attenuation, ratification of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) with reservations, etc.)

1.Discrimination against women in the legal texts

• Religious/sectarian personal status law gives women lesser rights in marriage, inheritance, real estate ownership and child custody; these issues are governed by religious authorities and courts
• Unequal sentences for adultery charges
• Domestic violence laws fail to criminalize marital rape
• Naturalization law

2.Injustice occurring in practice due to social norms, and cultural and religious practices

• Honor crimes, domestic violence, marital rape, sexual violence, and sexual harassment are accepted

1.Personal Status Law (1951), entrusts religious courts with birth, marriage, and death legislation

2.The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was ratified in 1996, with reservations regarding articles 9, 16 and 29

3.Law 720 (1998) established the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) as an official body at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers that has advisory and executive duties

4.Law 343 (2001), regarding equality of benefits between female and male employees

5.A National Plan entitled “Strategy for Women’s Affairs” was published by the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) and endorsed by the Council of Ministers in June 2012

6.Law 293 (2014), aimed at protecting women from domestic violence and physical abuse was passed after a number of controversial modifications were made to it

1.Pass a civil status law that will prevail over the religious/sectarian personal status codes

2.Ratify the Lebanese women right to pass on their nationality to their children

3.Pass a law banning marriage for minors under the age of 18

4.Represent both genders equally in municipal and parliamentary elections, as well as in ministerial portfolios and in first category positions in the public administration

5.Amend the penal code to cover, marital rape, domestic violence, and sexual violence

6.Amend the constitution and the mandate of the NCLW and organize a unified voice for the women’s movement through a national syndicate

7.Train decision makers on recognizing gender bias and fight prevailing stoic mentalities of discrimination

8.Include gender discrimination and bias as part of a civil education curriculum in all schools

9.Encourage girls through the education system to pursue Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) subjects

10.Combat discrimination against women through training and awareness campaigns

11.Sensibilize girls about the dangers of early marriage on their health and social development