The Rassemblement Democratique des Femmes Libanaise organizes a memorial for late Wadad Chakhtoura

The Rassemblement Democratique des Femmes Libanaise (RDFL) called for a candlelight vigil in front of the National Museum two commemorate the fourth year after the passing away of its former president Wadad Chakhtoura which represented over more than 5 decades a symbol of the feminist movement and trade union activism in Lebanon and who dedicated her life for the principles of equality, freedom, justice and democracy.
Participant held a large banner with Chakhtoura’s picture inscribed with “a journey of struggles” and lit candles in remembrance of her life.  The event also included poetry readings and a key note address by the vice president of RDFL, Caroline Slaibi who spoke of the deceased and of her achievements as well as the challenges she faced.  She insisted on the long winding road of women activism in order to challenge discrimination against women in practice and in the letter of the law, whilst highlighting persistent inequalities in the nationality law, in the social security fund, in the penal code and the civil status laws.  She also condemned the mutilation of the law to protect women from violence and the continued and systematic exclusion of women from decision making.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Safir 19 November 2013