Women and civil groups for an electoral law promoting women representation

In cooperation with 37 civil groups, the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), launched yesterday so-called ‘A Parliament for the whole Country’ assembly aimed at developing a proportional electoral law that secures a fair representation of all before the end of 2016 the latest. The projected act should contain a women representation quota, as stressed LADE secretary general, Zeina Helu. In parallel, ‘Women in Parliament’ alliance held a press conference yesterday to announce the completion of the ‘Parties Nominate Women’ project. Alliance coordinator Samira Maasri said that women are absent from the decision making position in the executive and legislative branches of government, and called for stricter commitment to international conventions that stipulate the ‘development of legal mechanisms which guarantee women’s representation in the Parliament by not less than 30%. Maasri disclosed that work is underway with the Lebanese political parties to this effect, particularly in the forthcoming elections. During the conference, a brief report was presented on the viewpoints of political parties from the women’s quota as a temporary measure. The report has shown complete responsiveness on part of the Lebanese Forces, Future Movement, PSP, Ahrar and Kataeb parties, but the Free Patriotic Movement did not clarify its stand. The Alliance has not been able to meet with representatives of Hizbullah, Marada or Tashnaq parties to know where they stand, the report said. Women activists in the Alliance also demanded the establishment of a women affairs’ ministry. Meanwhile, PM designate, Saad Hariri, received yesterday a delegation of the National Alliance to Support Women Representation in Political Life and discussed their demands, particularly concerning the participation of women in public and national posts. Dr. Fahmiyeh Charafiddine, chief of the National Committee for the Follow-Up of Women’s Issues, disclosed that Hariri was positive. On the other hand, representatives of some 50 civil society associations, including ‘Civil Society Table of Dialogue’, held a conference on Wednesday calling for stepping up the formation of a government of youth equally represented by men and women. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, As Safir, November 17 and 18, 2016)

 

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