Optimism soars with the win of a female candidate in Lebanese Elections

Earlier this month Lebanon held polls across the country with six women of 86 women who had registered to run for the 128-seat Parliament winning seats. Five of them are members of political parties, which greatly facilitated their victory. Although, only one woman, Paula Yacoubian, a former television news presenter who ran supported by civil society groups, was able to win in the Beirut first electoral district against authority-backed lists.

However, all parties are hesitant towards the issue of women’s participation in the political life of the country with many women holding Hezbollah directly accountable for not supporting women’s quota in the new electoral law under which this month’s elections were held.

Gender Concerns International has time and again reaffirmed it support to countries in the MENA region. It emphasizes on the need for international and sustainable support to ensure progress in the electoral reform and representation of women in the political sphere of the region. The cooperation with Civil Society and Women’s Organisations is imperative to make a sustained and lasting positive impact.