72% support women’s right to grant nationality while pro civil marriage exceed those opposing

In its edition of yesterday, As Safir newspaper reported on a poll carried out by Information International that highlighted a number of key right issues of importance to Lebanon’s public: the right of Lebanese women to grant nationality to family members, optional civil marriage and the right of women to a comprehensive health insurance plan and old age pension. The phone poll conducted during the period between November 8 and 10 covered some 500 respondents divided along sectarian lines and distributed as such: 52% males against 48% females, essentially targeting the above 18 years- age group. The survey indicated that nearly 72% of respondents supported the right of Lebanese women to grant nationality to their non-Lebanese husband and her children against 22% who opposed it. The survey also showed a higher level of support among Muslims, as such: 84% for Sunnis and 71% for Shiites, falling to 64% for the Greek Orthodox and 62% for the Maronite confession. Regarding the issue of optional civil marriage, about less than half of respondents (48%) were in favor, against 44% opposing. Across the religious confessions, the level of support was higher among Christians recording respectively, 77%, 67%, 64% and 54% for the Catholics, Armenian, Maronite and Greek Orthodox respondents, while falling to 38% among Muslim Shiites and 29% among the Sunnis. On overall health insurance and old age pension, the overwhelming majority of respondents where in favor (97%) against only 2% who opposed, the survey concluded. (As Safir, November 15, 2016)