Ogassapian: women's realities and the need for bold changes

The minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, called yesterday for reconsidering the reality of women in light of a humanitarian approach. Ogassapian was speaking during a conference in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on the economic and social empowerment of women under the headline ‘Breaking Obstacles’. In his address to men, the minister said they should be bold enough to work for change as women are the requisite and catalyst for moving society to a better place. Empowering women socially and economically stimulates the growth and development of society and enhances living standards, prosperity and peace, Ogassapian stated. “The Lebanese woman, with the acknowledgement of big bankers, is the element that empowers the banking and financial sectors in Lebanon as she plays a vital role in the success of the services and business sectors,” Ogassapian maintained, (noting a 47% input by women in this industry, the largest in the region). Yet, despite the considerable contributions and sacrifices made by women, their conditions remain unsatisfactory, Ogassapian grieved. He mentioned the immense discrimination and injustice against them particularly in legislations and in employment, pointing to “domestic violence, sexual harassment, early marriages and the impact of the unfair personal status laws which persistently deny women their sacred right to motherhood”. In conclusion, Ogassapian said that women who struggled and succeeded in establishing themselves will remain a model for their peers who lag behind inhibited by obstacles, urging them to keep going always armed with “commitment, ingenuity and transparency”, as he put it. (Al Mustaqbal, March 31, 2017)