BEIRUT: Women's rights activists criticized Monday the appointment of a man to head Lebanon's newly created Women's Affairs Ministry, saying women were sorely underrepresented in the newly created Cabinet.
"Is it acceptable to assign a male minister to the Women's Affairs Ministry?" asked a statement issued by the Women in Parliament Coalition.
"Is this the consecration of the patriarchal system in Lebanon or is this due to a lack of competent women for the job?" asked the statement, which was carried by the National News Agency.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri unveiled a new 30-member Cabinet Sunday, in which Jean Ogasapian became Minister of State for Women's Affairs.
The activist group also deplored the lack of female ministers in the Cabinet, in which only one woman was appointed: Einaya Ezzedine, Minister of State for Administrative Development.
The NGO said the failure to appoint female ministers amounted to marginalization, "especially after the promises made by the heads of political parties and parliamentary blocs in support of women and enhancing their role in the new government."
"What happened was a disappointment and broke promises that were made," the statement added.
The group also called on ministers to show commitment to women's rights by including a quota for women in the forthcoming Cabinet policy statement.
A quota guaranteeing women 30 percent of government posts was necessary, it said, "as a special temporary measure for women's access to leadership positions in politics and public affairs."
Lebanon’s politicians have acknowledged that the women’s participation in government is low, but no significant legislation to boost their numbers has been passed.
Out of 128 lawmakers at Parliament, currently there are only four female MPs – Nayla Tueni, Bahia Hariri, Strida Geagea and Gilberte Zouein.
"Is it acceptable to assign a male minister to the Women's Affairs Ministry?" asked a statement issued by the Women in Parliament Coalition.
"Is this the consecration of the patriarchal system in Lebanon or is this due to a lack of competent women for the job?" asked the statement, which was carried by the National News Agency.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri unveiled a new 30-member Cabinet Sunday, in which Jean Ogasapian became Minister of State for Women's Affairs.
The activist group also deplored the lack of female ministers in the Cabinet, in which only one woman was appointed: Einaya Ezzedine, Minister of State for Administrative Development.
The NGO said the failure to appoint female ministers amounted to marginalization, "especially after the promises made by the heads of political parties and parliamentary blocs in support of women and enhancing their role in the new government."
"What happened was a disappointment and broke promises that were made," the statement added.
The group also called on ministers to show commitment to women's rights by including a quota for women in the forthcoming Cabinet policy statement.
A quota guaranteeing women 30 percent of government posts was necessary, it said, "as a special temporary measure for women's access to leadership positions in politics and public affairs."
Lebanon’s politicians have acknowledged that the women’s participation in government is low, but no significant legislation to boost their numbers has been passed.
Out of 128 lawmakers at Parliament, currently there are only four female MPs – Nayla Tueni, Bahia Hariri, Strida Geagea and Gilberte Zouein.
Source & Link : The Daily Star
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