ESMAÎ FATIHÎ

Cairo –Lebanese women have suffered from many difficulties due to the deepening economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. Some projects have been carried out in the country to empower women. Claudine Aoun, the head of the National Commission for Lebanese Women, has attended the 10th meeting of the Arab Women’s Organization’s Supreme Council held in Cairo. We spoke to her about the current situation of women in Lebanon.

Works to empower Lebanese women

Stating that Lebanon has gone through many crises, Claudine Aoun said that they have carried out many works to overcome the crises. Stressing that they have been working to increase the percentage of electoral quota of women in politics, she said, “We want to increase the number of women in the parliament and government.” Pointing out that there has been a significant increase in the rate of domestic violence due to the recent crises in Lebanon, she said that they have projects to empower women.

“The economic crisis affects every part of life,” Claudine Aoun said, adding, “We have been working on the amendment of laws to ensure women's rights and gender equality. According to the plan, the National Commission for Lebanese Women will soon intensify its work to raise awareness and train young people to take responsibility for their families.”

Violence and poverty increase

Claudine Aoun also drew attention to the issue of economic support for women and said that the authorities keep working to prevent the funds sent to Lebanon by foreign organizations from being abused. “Women have lost more jobs than men during the pandemic and we have worked on how we can support these women.”

Referring to the tenth meeting of Arab women held on November 25 in Cairo, Egypt, Claudine Aoun pointed out that Arab women discussed the increase of violence against women and poverty among women in the Arab countries at the meeting.