هذه المقالة متاحة أيضًا بـ: العربية (Arabic)
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the National Human Rights Commission including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture reaffirms its commitment to defending women’s rights and promoting gender equality, emphasizing the need to intensify efforts to protect Lebanese women and ensure their rights amid ongoing economic and social challenges.
Lebanese Women Facing Multiple Crises
Women and girls in Lebanon continue to suffer from the compounded effects of economic, financial, and political crises, along with the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite efforts to enhance women’s rights through proposed laws on civil marriage, nationality transfer, child marriage, electoral quotas, and migrant workers’ rights, legal and procedural gaps remain obstacles to full equality.
The Commission calls on the international community to increase financial and developmental support for Lebanon, ensuring that resources are allocated to those most in need, including women facing unprecedented hardships due to the deteriorating living conditions.
Legislative Reforms for Gender Equality
The Commission welcomes legislative initiatives such as the amendment of the Penal Code to expand the definition of rape. However, it urges the Lebanese state to:
- Amend the Constitution to explicitly prohibit gender-based discrimination.
- Adopt a comprehensive law defining and prohibiting all forms of discrimination against women in both public and private spheres.
- Establish a timeline for repealing all discriminatory laws against women.
Access to Justice and Effective Remedies
Reports indicate that gender bias in the judicial system continues to hinder women’s access to justice, particularly in cases of sexual and gender-based violence. The Commission therefore calls for:
- Strengthening training programs for judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers on women’s rights.
- Establishing specialized units to handle gender-based violence cases.
- Providing free legal aid to women in need, particularly in rural and marginalized areas.
Combating Gender-Based Violence
Women in Lebanon continue to face multiple forms of violence, including domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and human trafficking. While laws such as Law 293 on domestic violence protection have been enacted, enforcement remains weak. The Commission recommends:
- Strengthening the enforcement of existing laws and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable.
- Establishing a dedicated fund to support female survivors of violence and ensuring the availability of adequate shelters.
- Amending anti-sexual harassment laws to align with international standards.
Enhancing Women’s Participation in Politics and Public Life
Despite the appointment of women to key ministerial positions, female representation in Parliament and government institutions remains low. The Commission urges:
- The adoption of a law ensuring that at least 30% of electoral party lists are composed of female candidates.
- Legislation to combat political violence against women.
- Supporting female candidates in elections through awareness campaigns and adequate campaign financing.
Protecting Migrant Domestic Workers
Migrant domestic workers remain vulnerable to exploitation and abuse due to the absence of adequate legal protections. The Commission calls for:
- Amending the Labor Law to include domestic workers.
- Strengthening monitoring of working conditions and ensuring access to justice.
- Ratifying the International Labour Organization (ILO) Domestic Workers Convention (No. 189).
Advancing the Rights of Rural and Refugee Women
Rural women and refugees face compounded challenges in accessing education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. The Commission recommends:
- Providing financial and technical support for rural women to develop economic projects.
- Ensuring that refugee women receive adequate legal protection and humanitarian assistance.
- Combatting child and forced marriages among refugee communities.
Towards Progressive Legislation for Women’s Protection
Given the ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality, the Commission calls on the Lebanese state to:
- Expedite the adoption of a unified personal status law ensuring equal rights in marriage, divorce, and child custody.
- Repeal Decree No. 15 of 1925, which prevents Lebanese women from passing their nationality to their children.
- Increase awareness of women’s rights through media and education programs.
A Sustainable Commitment to Women’s Rights
On International Women’s Day, the National Human Rights Commission including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture emphasizes that achieving gender equality is a national and humanitarian responsibility. The Commission calls on all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and international organizations, to work together to ensure that women and girls enjoy their full rights without discrimination or exception.
