A burgeoning culture of women DJs in Lebanon

The Daily Star newspaper published last Thursday a report about the emerging trend of women DJs in Lebanon. Despite their talents, women DJs are still facing some gender-specific obstacles, according to the experience of Priscilla Bakalian, who is a 20-year-old student at the American University of Beirut, and has been DJing professionally for more than two years. Commenting on the issue, Bakalian noted that Lebanon is a sexist community and many men remain often skeptical towards her and do not take her musical skills seriously. She also recalled being pushed off the decks by other men DJs who wanted to take control. Bakalian noted that women DJs in Lebanon also have to challenge the traditional perception of their parents at home.
For his part, Mohammed Ghibris, a DJ School owner in Beirut, noted that the number women students increased from August 2013 until now, to the point where 65% of his students were women, adding that it is indeed a clear shift in direction, as the Lebanese DJ scene was until recently largely dominated by men. However, Ghibris also noted that women models are often hired as DJs because of their flattering looks.  Bakalian responded to this particular point by saying: “Do not disgrace other women like us who are genuinely trying to succeed music-wise.”
Source: The Daily Star 9 October 2014