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Campaign for Lebanese Women’s Rights Going Nowhere

 

Despite the creation of a ministerial committee to deal with women’s rights in Lebanon, activists say the panel is not advancing any tangible changes. According to a report in the Beirut-based Daily Star, when a Lebanese woman marries a foreigner their children are not considered Lebanese citizens and do not receive health and education benefits. In March, for the first time, the issue reached the cabinet, but according to the newspaper was shouted down by opponents, after which Prime Minister Najib Mikati appointed the ministerial committee to debate it. But nothing concrete has resulted, according to proponents. Most cases are of marriages between Lebanese women and Palestinian men, who are believed to be hoping to gain the rights afforded to Lebanese citizens, which are denied to the large Palestinian community in Lebanon. The proposal, which was drafted by the National Commission for Lebanese Women, would allow citizenship to be passed down to the children of Lebanese women without reference to the spouse – except in the case of Palestinian men. In that case, special provisions would allow children citizen-like rights until the age of 18.