Hariri: Women's Quota Prerequisite in New Electoral Law

Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed on Tuesday that establishing a quota for women in the upcoming parliamentary electoral law is essential, as he stressed that efforts are pushing in that direction.

“When we first launched the Ministry of Women’s Affairs we were planning to strengthen the Lebanese society in general. Empowering women (simultaneously) empowers Lebanon,” said Hariri from the Grand Serail, during the launching of the Office of the Minister of State for Women Affairs.

“Our country has contributed to the development of the Human Rights Charter, about 70 years ago, and women's rights is in its core. It is no secret that the empowerment of women became an international standard for measuring the progress of nations. Today, after almost 70 years, we are still late in this measure, despite the manifestations of modernity and openness in the country,” lamented the PM.

“In Lebanon, women represent only %3 of the number of lawmakers in the parliament. The Ministry's role is to rectify this flaw. I have reiterated that a women's quota is one of the conditions in the new electoral law being discussed,” stressed the PM.

“I also intend to put into implementation a previous recommendation of mine, in 2010, to include women in senior positions and boards of directors in the State.”

The Women's Affairs Ministry was first established in 2016 under the government of Hariri. Minister Jean Oghassapian heads the ministry.