National coalition insists on women's quota of no less than 30% in any new electoral law

"The national coalition to support the establishment of women’s political participation in Lebanon” demanded a quota for women of no less than 30% of parliamentary seats in any electoral law to be agreed upon, stressing that the quota is a rightful demand that neither the Coalition nor its members will relinquish, and called for the coalition to become the civil focal point for adopting the quota in the electoral law, and in other governmental decision-making levels. The position of the Coalition was announced yesterday during its first press conference held in the premises of the National Commission for Lebanese Women.  During the event, the Coalition outlined its objectives, plan of action, and positions regarding women's participation in decision-making. The press conference was attended by the Minister of State for Administrative Development, Dr. Inaya Izzidine, and the Minister of State for Women's Affairs Jean Ogassapian, as well as representatives of various civil society organizations. On similar lines, ex-Minister Wafaa Al Diqa Hamza noted that the " the coalition is a force exerting pressure on decision-makers so that women are no longer excluded or ignored from political participation processes, pointing out that " the issue now will revolve around how to integrate women's quota within any electoral law that will be agreed upon for the upcoming parliamentary elections planned for  May 2017", indicating that the Coalition is composed of networks and associations and institutions that represent more than 150 CSOs in coordination and under the umbrella of the National Commission for Lebanese Women. Hamza presented the coalition’s short-term plan of action which follows three axes: first, to implement a media action plan that will accompany the upcoming electoral process in its various phases; second, to launch an advocacy plan that includes meetings with officials and parliamentary blocs and political parties, and mobilize public opinion regarding the importance of women's participation in political action and public affairs; third, to implement technical and legal action that follows up the work of the parliamentary committee involved in the electoral law as well as participate in its work. For his part, Minister Ogassapian promised that he will notify the Coalition about all meetings that the ministry will conduct in this regard.(Annahar, Al Mustaqbal, L'Orient Le Jour, January 11, 2017)