LOST conference in Baalbaq to promote women’s participation in political life

In collaboration with the German KAS foundation, the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) held yesterday a conference entitled ‘Development of Women’s Participation in Politics’ at the July Hall in Baalbaq. Some 125 women of all ages, from various towns and of different social and political views took part in the conference, including 11 winners in the latest municipal elections.  Dr. Rami Laqis, head of LOST, pointed out that the conference was not an ordinary lecture, but rather an interactive and reflective platform for women’s issues that will produce recommendations to be implemented at a later stage. In the same vein, former minister, Wafaa Dika, described the problematic situation of women right in Lebanon, noting that “participation is a right that should not be forsaken no matter what the difficulties,” and should  be transformed into a solid and practical force. “Women in Lebanon have not achieved their rights in (political) participation because of certain laws, like the Personal Status and Nationality laws and the Penal Code,” Dika said, adding that the main requisite for political reform is the adoption of a modern municipal and electoral law that could redress the present situation and that will include a women’s representation quota as a temporary equity measure. (As Safir, December 29, 2015)