Minister of Women's Affairs supports women’s demands for quota representation and passing of nationality

An-Nahar newspaper pointed out in its issue published today that on the 15th of the present month,  the preparation of new offices of the 'core' work team in the Ministry of State for Women's Affairs in the building assigned for Ministries of State in Al Masaref Street will be finished. As such, Minister Jean Ogassapian and his team will start drafting the firs roadmap of the mode of operation of the Ministry, according to what Ogassapian stated in an exclusive  interview for that newspaper. Ogassapian emphasized that he is working at establishing 'infrastructures' for the Ministry that adhere to international standards applied to "newly established" ministries. He 'translated that into action' through a close cooperation between the 'young' Ministry and the UN program in Lebanon, revealing that the latter adopted international standards of selection the staff of the Ministry whose number will not exceed 10 employees. On setting work priorities for the Ministry, Ogassapian pointed out that the strategies and the content of legislation prepared by the National Commission for Women's Affairs and Women's associations, emphasizing that the "preliminary draft of the action strategy is based on constant communication with women's associations and concerned institutions, as well as follow-up of the track of legislative proposals and the various recommendations that are specific to women's affairs with specialized parliamentary committees". On the other hand, Ogassapian ruled out the possibility of submitting a civil personal status law during the first six months of his mandate, Adopting such a law, he added, requires a substantial struggle, especially in a country like Lebanon where the political system combines democracy and confessional representation. When asked about his willingness to face the heads of confessional groups and politicians in proposing a law to the advantage of women, he said: “I will work towards ensuring women’s rights guaranteed by the country’s democratic system”, pointing out that he is studying special economic projects to empower women lining outside the capital. He also emphasized that he will work hard so that the quota for women is included in the new electoral law, and will push forward the demand for Lebanese women’s right to pass the nationality to their families. He concluded by pointing out that the budget of his Ministry is not set yet, and is still under study. (An-Nahar, January 13, 2017)