Women suffer in Lebanese society from injustice in some laws that restrict them

Prime Minister’s speech
On the occasion, the Prime Minister delivered a speech in which he said: I am pleased to meet you at this honorable ceremony, at the conclusion of the work on the national plan to implement Security Council Resolution No. 1325 on women, peace and security, which we envisioned would constitute the cornerstone for achieving the sustainable development goals in Lebanon for years to come, and to provide A comprehensive national framework for Lebanon’s stability and security. This would also support women’s participation in decision-making, protect them from types of violence, review laws that undermine their rights, and other related matters.

He said: It is useful to point out that the Presidency of the Council of Ministers approved in 2019 the development of a comprehensive strategy to implement this decision, and assigned the “National Authority for Women’s Affairs” the task of preparing this plan, which was carried out in an effective participatory framework with the relevant official departments and civil society, as well as International organizations and donor organizations, with the aim of achieving the goals set for them and developing them in a way that suits the needs and priorities of Lebanese society. It is no secret that, although women in Lebanese society are generally distinguished by their knowledge, competence, ability to prove themselves, and competition in many of the sectors in which we witness them, they suffer from unfairness in some laws that restrict them and detract from their rights.

He said: We also witness many cases of violence against them, which highlights the need to reconsider some legal texts, and add others, with the aim of protecting them, and strengthening and empowering their status to fully guarantee their human rights stipulated in the International Bill of Human Rights. Among what this charter stipulates is women’s right to justice, equality and non-discrimination, and working, on the other hand, to support their participation in decision-making and activate their pioneering role in political, economic, administrative and social positions, and this represents the essence of our goals and the goals of the National Commission for Women’s Affairs in achieving the action plan. National Resolution 1325.

He concluded by saying: I congratulate the committee on its work, hoping that the decisions will follow their path to implementation in all fields, in order to support the role of women in society at all levels.

Aoun’s word
The head of the National Commission for Women, Claudine Aoun, delivered a speech in which she said: We meet today in difficult circumstances full of challenges. Our people in the south and in the Bekaa are falling victims of a fierce war, as a result of which thousands of citizens are displaced, half of whom are women, and the entire Lebanese people live under the threat of the outbreak of an expanded war everywhere. Moment.

We meet today at a time when Lebanon is witnessing a severe political crisis, which has prevented the election of a President of the Republic, extending the presidential vacuum for seventeen months to date, in the absence of a clear national reform plan to emerge from the crises.

We also meet at a time when Lebanese men and women are suffering from an economic crisis that has caused the majority of them to live in poverty, and from the absence of public services, which hinders the proper conduct of business and the completion of official transactions, and from a severe financial crisis that has led to the detention of the funds of Lebanese and foreign depositors in Lebanese banks, without any official commitment. To recover it, while this commitment would restore confidence in the banking sector, which constitutes one of the basic economic pillars of the country.

Our meeting also comes in light of the repercussions of the Syrian displacement, which has burdened the Lebanese economy, contributed to the collapse of the infrastructure and changed the identity of our villages and cities.

Does our meeting today to conclude the first national action plan to implement Security Council Resolution 1325 have any connection to everything that is happening around us?

Does the implementation of Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security have any positive impact on the prevailing political, economic, social and security situation? Or is it a decision specific to women and their issues, whose implementation is not a priority at the present time in light of the crises we are experiencing?

Are women’s issues special issues? Or are they national issues that affect society as a whole?

Is achieving gender equality only a human right? Or is it also considered a strategic investment that positively affects economic growth and gross domestic product, as highlighted by global indicators for developed countries.

First, Resolution 1325 introduced the issues of protecting women and girls during conflicts. Today, we are in great need of providing them with this protection, in light of the scenes we see daily of the starvation and death of children, the rape and killing of women, and their use as tools of war.

Is it possible to expect cases of violence against women not to worsen during conflict, in a society that neglects to punish the aggressor in peacetime situations? Hence our demand to implement and amend to strengthen the “Protection of Women and Other Family Members from Domestic Violence” Law and the “Criminalization of Sexual Harassment and Rehabilitation of Its Victims” Law more effectively to provide protection for women and girls.

The resolution also called for supporting the participation of women in decision-making positions, in peace negotiations, and in the reconstruction and reconstruction that follows the stage of conflict and strife, and the necessity of their participation in resolving them, at the heart of the international paths aimed at reducing wars. We are also in need today of women negotiators and participants in national dialogues. There is no doubt that their presence in these positions would have saved the nation from many crises and conflicts.

How can women who do not participate in decision-making in their society, and do not influence the solution of daily living crises, carry out leadership tasks in the event of a conflict?

From here also comes our demand to include a women’s quota in the election law to ensure women’s participation in decision-making positions.

The decision also stressed the prevention of violence against women and girls, and here falls within the existing work to modernize educational curricula, as well as various awareness programs and activities in schools, universities and with various media, to spread a culture of respect for human rights. What is required here is to activate and develop these initiatives so that they are sustainable and purposeful.

The last area addressed by the resolution is relief and recovery, as it emphasized that national plans and crisis response plans must take into account the needs of women and girls, and respond to these needs, to eliminate discrimination against them and respect their rights.

We are fully aware of the seriousness of the current situation in Lebanon and its difficulty at all levels. We also realize that the solution to the crises will not be easy or as soon as we hope. We are fully aware of the worsening challenges facing the regularity of work in the public sector. The National Authority is one of those institutions that faces daily difficulties to continue its tasks.

However, in light of this reality, even if some have lost their faith and hope to change this situation, in a country where sectarianism prevails and in the absence of real accountability, perseverance, making efforts and implementing the required reforms, each within their duties, powers and capabilities, remains an option stemming from our sense of responsibility. Based on our sites. This matter will not be achieved except with the help of the daughters and sons of this country.

Risa
The Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations, Imran Riza, said in his speech, “The national plan to implement Resolution 1325 has done well despite all the circumstances and difficulties that Lebanon has suffered from, and the achievements that have been made are extremely important.”

The National Authority for Women has increased women’s participation in government institutions and the security sector. It provided support for women as peacemakers at the community level, and provided a framework for progress to develop gender equality reforms to protect women from any violence. Lebanon is establishing solid infrastructure and the success of these efforts is due to the advocacy of women’s groups in Lebanon.

As we celebrate the conclusion of the first national action plan, we must acknowledge that the path is still long, and I hope to accelerate progress towards purposeful actions that guarantee leadership positions for women, and that it is time to revive the role of women in Lebanon as it was in the fifties of the last century, when Lebanon was a pioneer in its surroundings in this regard. The matter. He pointed out the need to strengthen women on the economic level by engaging more than providing environmentally friendly services.

And Ronica
UN Resident Coordinator Woronica announced in her speech; At this ceremony, we will discuss the implementation of the Lebanese National Action Plan and Strategy on Women, Peace and Security. I congratulate Mrs. Aoun on her leadership and coordination of the work of institutions and civil society.

I salute the Lebanese government’s commitment to security, peace, the development of the country, and the implementation of gender equality. She said: “We are ready to provide this support and commit to developing a second national plan.” I was pleased to meet many partners and commit to working to prevent conflicts due to challenges at the international level. She said: “Lebanon is facing hostilities in the south, which have worsened the previously fragile economic situation in the country, and these difficulties cast a shadow on sustainable development.”

She saw that Lebanon is among 150 countries that developed a national plan and received support from the United Nations. Lebanon has made progress and begun a new phase with the plan, and it is important to talk about empowering women and youth in different spaces. Peace, women and security must be integrated into any action plan, and young people must have the ability to participate in the economy, education, assume leadership tasks and enjoy security and peace.