Hariri to boycott elections if no women’s quota

Prime Minister Saad Hariri expressed regret over the underepresentation of women in political life, blaming this on the culture of political parties. Hariri, who was speaking on Tuesday to a delegation of the Women in Parliament Coalition in the presence of the newly appointed minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, stated that he shall not partake in elections that do not support women’s representation quota. And while pointing to laws that are discriminatory against women, Hariri pledged to talk to all parties concerned to include a women’s quota in the upcoming elections. This matter was not given due consideration in the recent ministerial statement. Hariri also mentioned that House Speaker Nabih Berri is with him all the way in this respect. For her part, former minister, Wafaa Diqa Hamzeh, presented to PM Hariri a petition of the demands of the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), while drawing attention to repeated disappointments and challenges in boosting women’s political role. Among the demands raised by NCLW were: endorsement of the electoral law as a first step; inclusion of women’s quota of no less than 30% in the projected law, and participation in committees to draft elections laws. Ogassapian, on the other hand, reiterated his support to the new women affairs’ portfolio with an allocated budget. He said that work will be carried out on three levels: 1) to abolish discriminatory texts against women from all prevailing laws; 2) developing and promoting a culture of equality through the media and education, in partnership with civil society, and lastly, 3) empowerment and building the capacities of women. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Hayat, January 4, 2016)