Seminar on women and nationality by Future Movement in West Bekaa, women’s political participation in Beirut

The Future Movement’s Women Sector in the West Bekaa and Rashaya, in cooperation with SAWA for Development and Aid Association, Hayya Bina Initiative and the Rassemblement Democratique des Femmes Libanaises, organized yesterday a seminar on the ‘Lebanese woman and nationality’ to promote awareness for their rights, namely their right to grant nationality to their children.  Stressing the legal aspect, Roula Zaaiter from RDFL, explained  the rationale behind the Convention on the Elimination of All Form of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Lebanon’s reservations on specific articles related to nationality and personal status law. 

In the same vein, the Future Women Sector- Beirut Coordination Committee held yesterday a talk on the ‘role of women in political life’ at the Movement’s premises in Ashrafieh. The Future Bloc member, MP Serge Sarkissian, noted that the presence of women in the Parliament is “inadequate so as to partake in decision making”, adding that it is “possible to replace the women’s quota with another formula that ensures more effective participation”. He urged women to engage in political work bravely and confidently in order to strengthen their presence and participation in the national political decision making.” Meanwhile, Nadine Jaroudi, coordinator of Beirut Future Women Sector, said Lebanese women have proved the usefulness of their contribution to all areas of work, yet and despite all impeding obstacles, they are still seeking to achieve greater success through their participation in political and partisan activity.” (Al Mustaqbal, October 27, 2015)