Seminar in Zghorta on women rights between reality and legislation

Upon the invitation from the Women Pastoral Society in Ehden and Zghorta Parish and on the occasion of IWD, a seminar was organized in Zghorta entitled “the rights of women between reality and legislation” at Milad Al Ghazal Moawwad Cultural and Sports Center. Speaking on behalf of the parish committee, Marie Terez AL Kawal pointed out to the disparities that exist between the Lebanese constitution and international conventions on one hand and the texts of the current Lebanese laws. Appellate Lawyer in the North, Judge Amani Hamdan, outlined the various stages in women’s struggle noting the absence of a special legislation on the rights of women and demanding full adherence to international human rights laws and conventions. Hamdan emphasized the importance of introducing the women’s quota in political legislation as a first step to achieve equality. Another speaker, Director of Justice without Borders association, Brigitte Chalabian, said, “We need to acquire a better knowledge of women’s rights in order to reach a more just society. We also stressed the need not only for developing new equalitarian laws but also work to promote the culture of law. For his part, Commander of the Sessions of Specialized Officers in Internal Security Forces, Major Elie Al Asmar, spoke about the role of the judicial police in dealing with domestic violence and how to protect women and combat violence against them. (Al Mustaqbal, March 2015)