Highlights of International Women’s Day Celebrations in Lebanon

Most women throughout the year are denied their basic rights to equality and full citizenship, and live in the shadow of violence and daily life challenges, namely those in low income communities. However, in early March of each year they suddenly become the focus of attention of various activities, television stations and newspapers, in celebration of International Women's Day. Racing to speak on that occasion are senior politicians and sometime businessmen who continuously impede women’s access to positions of leadership and act to obstruct the development of their capacities all throughout the year, seem metamorphosed on Women’s Day, praising their merits and acknowledging their contribution. Rituals commemorating this day vary from the convening of special events, conferences and seminars to awards and honoring ceremonies, whereas regretfully the reality for most women (and for many men) is far different.
Women in the world today occupy leading positions, 10 of them are heads of state and 14 are prime ministers, but not a single women top leader in the Arab World. On the contrary, women in the Arab countries are largely relegated to their domestic or to marginal economic roles. Our region is noticeable for its lowest ranking in the world, in terms of women political and economic participation. Regarding activities on IWD in Lebanon, we have noted more than 10 events since last Friday, namely:

• A celebration in tribute to women activists in public affairs in 2014 organized by the Green Party, Lebanon,

• National forum organized by the National Commission for Lebanese Women to follow-up on legislative reforms aiming at ending discrimination against women in economic and social fields,

• Training workshop on dealing with problems related to the marriage of minors organized by the Lebanese Council of Women, in collaboration with the Higher Council for Childhood at the Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab world, the Lebanese American University,

• A film entitled "By the law" featuring true stories of women subjected to domestic violence and found refuge in the Law No. 293 issued by Kafa Association,

• A seminar around the subject of unified personal status law organized by “Association for Equality – Warde Butros for Women's Action” held in cooperation with "Vlama" Spanish Association at the UNESCO Palace

• A ceremony honoring lawyer Sonia Ibrahim Attia during the Lebanese festival in Antelias,

• A popular march in Ain al-Helweh camp organized by the General Union of Palestinian Women in Lebanon and Palestinian women's committees,

• A ceremony organized by the Young Women Christian Association honoring woman activist and campaigner, Linda Matar,

• The launch event of a project entitled: Women's Access to Justice in the Middle East and North Africa, organised by the Lebanese Council to Resist Violence against Women, and funded by the Finnish Foreign Ministry in partnership with "Oxfam",

• Distribution of flowers to working women in public institutions and shopping centers in the southern port city of Saida, carried out by young men and women from the Literature and Culture Association.