At the Opening of a Debate Meeting about the “Abolition of Discrimination against Women”
Oghassabian Stresses Not Misusing Democracy in Lebanon
The Minister of State for Administrative Reform, Jean Oghassabian, emphasized that the role played by the NGOs and the civil society’s institutions in the development of the Lebanese society is of paramount importance, stressing not to misuse Lebanon’s democracy, which singles out the country and gives the civil society a free scope of action. The minister asserted that democracy can be safeguarded through the election of a President, which puts the country back on the right and healthy track.
The minister Jean Oghassabian was speaking during a debate meeting, held under the title “Towards a National Strategy to Change Gender Based Discriminatory Laws” within the framework of “Afkar II” program for the strengthening of the Lebanese civil society. The meeting was held in the headquarters of the Office of the Ministry for Administrative Reform- Starco, in the presence of representatives of women rights NGOs as well as a panel of experts. The meeting is the first of eight seminars, organized by Émergence foundation, which provides technical assistance to “Afkar” program.
After the national anthem, the coordinator of “Afkar 2” program, Youmna Ghoraib took the floor, explaining in the welcoming speech the reasons behind the choice of the topic “Discrimination against Women”. Ms.Ghoraib underscored that the feminine movement strived to assert the rights denied to women, including the right to vote, the right to travel, to work, to education, and to trade. The movement also worked for the rejection of domestic violence, and of crimes of honor as well as on other relevant issues. The movement, according to Ms.Ghoraib, succeeded in making a remarkable progress thanks to pioneer advocates of women rights. She reckoned however that more thought and work are needed, in particular through the coordination of efforts for the achievement of the objective sought after, namely the consolidation of the principle of justice and human rights, with regard to women, far from all kinds of discrimination against women in every field.
In his speech, the minister Jean Oghassabian reckoned that there is no divide in Lebanon be it vertical or horizontal, adding that no one can sow discord among the Lebanese. According to the minister, the presence of the civil society’s institutions working on issues pertaining to the citizens reveals the strong determination of the Lebanese. He considered that the convening of the seminar in such exceptional conditions and in the midst of many difficulties reflects the unshakable will to accomplish the work plan put for “Afkar” program, going from the principle of insuring the continuation of the projects aiming at serving the nation. Oghassabian said: “We, active members of the public sector, aim at serving our nation; however, we are convinced that what we offer is inconsiderable compared to what offers a citizen who encounters uncountable difficulties, hardships and challenges, and yet remains unwavering in their protection of Lebanon”.
Oghassabian highlighted that the European Union released additional funds for the financing of “Afkar 2” program, as a result to the trust the European Commission put in the Ministry of State for Administrative Reform. The minister emphasized the significant productivity the above-mentioned project has, in view of its positive impact on the civil society, hoping to broaden the scope of the project through additional funding, in order to enable the participation of more NGOs. Furthermore, the minister of State for Administrative Reform underlined that the action of the civil society’s institutions witnesses the freedom and democracy Lebanon enjoys. It is an issue worth to mention, for it is impossible to achieve any goal without dialogue, democracy and the acceptance of the other. Consequently, an especial importance was granted to the civil society’s initiatives, in particular to those pertaining to women. Moreover, Oghassabian emphasized the key role played by women in the society, underlining the many meetings held with associations interested in women related issues, where many critical points were raised, among which the issue of quota for women’s participation in the parliament and municipalities. Oghassabian added in this regard that more discussions should be dedicated to these issues, even though women proved their proficiency in all the fields of the public sector.
The minister also stressed the importance of the democratic climate that Lebanon enjoys, which allows the civil society to move forward in their action with freedom. In this framework, he noted that the safeguarding of this democratic climate can be made by the election of a president and the enhancement of the constitutional institutions, putting the country back on the right and healthy track. He asserted that the work is ongoing for the welfare of the country and for the preserving of its distinctive existence in the region.
The Working Sessions:
The working sessions were declared open. The first presentation was given by Dr. Khatoun Haydar. It revolved around the achievements realized by the feminine movement between 1953 and 2004, on the legal level. Dr. Haydar exposed the conventions pertaining to women to which adhered Lebanon, criticizing the fact that women did not assert all their rights, particularly in the Arab States. Dr. Haydar proposed ideas with a view of inducing the Lebanese legislation to be fair regarding all the texts deemed discriminatory.
Ms. Amal Dibo exposed the experience of Ms. Laure Moughaizel as a role model women rights’ activist. Ms. Dibo exposed Ms. Moughaizel’s personality, work and role within the feminine movement as well as her significant contribution in the making and amendment of laws regarding women.
Dr. Fahmiyeh Charaffedine presented in her exposé the national plan for the enhancement of the woman. The study was prepared and presented by the human rights committee of the parliament during 2007.