Ogassapian pledges not to sign an electoral law that does not include a women’s quota

The minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, reiterated on Saturday his faith in Lebanese women as essential partners in the political decision-making. It is not a women’s responsibility only, but the responsibility of all men and women who have let them down and hampered their access to senior state positions, Ogassapian stated. The Minister was speaking during the opening of the conference organized by the National Democratic Institute in collaboration with Westminster Foundation for Democracy devoted for launching the 2017 Candidate Academy Program sponsored by the British Embassy. Under the title ‘Preparing for elections: women prepare to run for elections’, the conference targeted women running as independent candidates or on their political parties’ lists. Ogassapian commended the debates held within the conference which he said open doors to exchange and operationalize ideas. In his address to participants, the minister warned that he would “not sign any electoral law, whatsoever, that does not contain women’s quota.” It is not a “matter of formality or civility, but rather a conviction,” Ogassapian maintained, asserting that women in Lebanon boast exceptional capacities in various fields, like science, technology, medicine and engineering, and have accomplished much in these sectors. This, he said, makes their presence a requisite for the enhancement of performance of both the Parliament and Government. (Al Mustabal, Al Diyar, April 2, 2017)