Lebanon

Culture of Chauvinism

The culture of chauvinism limits women's access to political or economic power. Women won the right to vote and have held office since 1953, yet they still only comprise 2 percent of the Members of Parliament and 1 percent of municipal councils. Legally, women have the right to sign contracts, receive medical care, and access to contraception. However, women cannot transfer citizenship to their children if they marry a foreigner.

Citizenship is determined through the father. Also, a woman's religion can limit her as well. Non-Muslim women are entitled to the same inheritance rights as men, but Muslim women are only allowed to inherit 25 percent of the sum. There are also laws that prevent people of different religions from marrying. Women comprise 27 percent of the workforce, but are limited to traditionally feminine professions-many of which are denied welfare benefits. Even when women enter professions such as banking, they are not promoted. Women have access to education and constitute more than half of all university students, but they are primarily relegated to the feminine fields of the arts and social sciences.

Patriarchal rule dominates family life. Despite international pressure, the government has been reticent to address the prevalent issue of violence against women. Citing culture tradition in which family matters are private, there are no laws to protect women from spousal or family abuse. In an “honor killing,” a man can be pardoned in court for murdering a female relative who engaged in premarital sex, same-sex relationships, or adultery because she has shamed the family.

Despite patriarchal customs, a women's movement does exist in Lebanon. Women such as Laure Moghayzel, helped found women's groups such as the Lebanese Women's Council, the Lebanese Association of Women Lawyers, and the Committee for the Political Rights of Women. In 1996, through the pressure of these women's groups, Lebanon ratified the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Lebanese feminists are pushing for greater access to political power, believing that if women had a voice in local, municipal and national affairs, they could achieve greater equality.

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