The National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), led by the First Lady Mrs. Nehmat Aoun, held a national meeting to launch a unified law proposal, in partnership with the United Nations in Lebanon, and with support of UN Women, UNDP, and donor entities including the British Embassy in Beirut, the European Union, the Government of Canada, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, the International Organization of the Francophonie.
This follows the national meeting held earlier this year to unify efforts among all relevant stakeholders with the purpose of enhancing women’s participation in decision-making positions, in addition to the subsequent technical meetings that aimed at discussing the proposed comments and drafting the final version of the proposed or draft law. These meetings were held in cooperation with the Arab Women Organization and the Civil Society Alliance for the support of the quota.
The national meeting was attended by the Vice President of NCLW, Ambassador Sahar Baassiri Salam, Mrs. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Dr. Fadia Kiwan, the Director-General of the Arab Women Organization, as well as ministers, ambassadors, heads of UN agencies and international organizations, deputies, representatives of ministries and public administrations, civil society organizations, syndicates, political parties, media and academic institutions, and board members of NCLW.
The First Lady of Lebanon opened the meeting with a speech, highlighting: "We gather today at a pivotal point in a long national journey that did not start today, nor will it end today. We meet after listening, discussing, scrutinizing, and dialoguing with all partners, taking into account all observations, questions, reservations, and concerns. This meeting is not a repetition of what preceded, but the culmination of a serious participatory process and a clear announcement: We have completed our work, and today we present its final summary with full responsibility and transparency."
Mrs. Aoun emphasized: "This path began years ago, carried by Lebanese women, civil society, experts, and institutions. When we were bestowed responsibility, we did not start from scratch but took the torch and continued the path. Today, we present a carefully drafted law, discussed widely and supported by most of the parties present here. However, let it be clear to everyone: the law is a tool, not an end. Even if it is not adopted today, tomorrow, or in the current legislative period, true reform is cumulative work that progresses in steady steps that could sometimes take time. The journey will not stop, the will not be broken, and the struggle will not retreat, because the goal is beyond a legal text. The goal is a Parliament that reflects the reality of the Lebanese society—a Parliament that cannot be legitimate, representative, or truly democratic if it continues to exclude half of society. A Parliament without a meaningful representation of women is a Parliament that does not resemble Lebanon."
She concluded, noting: "We do not walk this path alone, but with you: with political leaders, experts, civil society, and the international community whose support we value. Today we do not seek permission, justify a right, or negotiate principles. We declare clearly that women’s representation in political life is irreversible, a national responsibility, and a moral and constitutional obligation. We will continue together until women’s presence in Parliament becomes natural—not an exception, favor, or battle. No unadopted law, resistance to change, or backward step will stop us. The Lebanon we want, and the state we deserve, can only be built with women’s participation, leadership, and full representation."
The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon also delivered a speech, stating: “Now is the time to turn promises into action. In so many ways. Including through the adoption and implementation of the draft law on temporary special measures.” She recalled that, despite the powerful role of women in Lebanese society, their full potential – as voters, candidates or elected representatives - remained “untapped”. The proposed legislation was “not just a technical amendment”, argued the Special Coordinator, but rather a “real opportunity to move the needle on women’s representation in Parliament” and to strengthen the role of women in “leading and shaping the future of Lebanon”
Following this, Mr. Mohammad Chamseddine from Information International presented the final draft of the law prepared by NCLW, aimed at amending the Electoral Law No. 44 of 17 June 2017, to ensure that “40% of the candidates on lists are women, and 33% of parliamentary seats are reserved for them.”
The meeting concluded with an open discussion among participants.
