Historically, women were only in parliament between 1952-1962. Three women were elected in the 1992 elections. 2005 was the same, when only 3 MPs out of 128 elected were women. These figures are lower than other politically restrictive neighbors such as Syria (with 30 women MPs out of 250), Jordan (13 out of 165), and Egypt (31 out of 718). Even Kuwait had 4 women elected in their latest elections.

Why are Lebanese women not participating in political life? And how did those who do participate reach the parliament? Many Lebanese say sarcastically that the only woman one sees in parliament is either a widow mourning the death of her husband, or a relative of the powerful male political elites.

Why can’t women represent themselves in a better way? Why can’t they change this image and prove that they can become decision makers based solely on their efforts and education?

Let us discuss this issue honestly. We live in a patriarchal society dominated by men where the primary duty of women is considered to be taking care of their families. This stereotypical perspective underestimates the capacity of women to be successful in more than one kind of task. Other barriers to the involvement of women in political life include the high cost of election fees, and the construction of the political parties. There is a perception that these political parties are “gangs” which have their own members, and are not interested in recruiting new ones. So what if these new members are women?

Yet, the major problem is the lack of social support for women. If the Lebanese women who want to be represented in parliament are ever confronted with a male in a discussion on women and politics, they become passionate and defend the right of the female sex to be represented in the parliament. But, I wonder where these Lebanese women disappear to during election time? Why aren’t there more women running for election? They become addicted political supporters as if this was football or basketball. I am not asking women to become so, but their simple support and limited knowledge of their representative’s goals and background is enough. Lebanese women from all different religions and background should proudly encourage females’ active participation in the parliament.

I once asked some young women in my neighborhood about famous Lebanese feminists and politicians. To my surprise, they knew very little. The answers I got highlight how little women know when it comes to the history and struggle of Lebanese women. Why do Lebanese feminists, who struggled and fought hard throughout their lives to pave the way for us to reach our current position, remain unrecognized? Whose fault is this? If Lebanese women don’t know their history, how can they sense the responsibility that lies upon their shoulders to vote for women and help them reach higher positions?

To sum it up, Lebanese women’s situation in politics resembles that of women in many developing countries. This situation is well illustrated by Sushma Sawaraj, Indian MP, when she said : “ It is very difficult for a woman to make up her mind to enter politics. Once she makes up her own mind, then she has to prepare her husband, and her children, and her family. Once she has overcome all these obstacles and applies for the ticket, then the male aspirants against whom she is applying make up all sorts of stories about her. And after all this, when her name goes to the party bosses, they do not select it because they fear losing that seat”.

Published as an extract in the newspaper distributed with An-Nahar and Al-Akhbar on June 4th, 2009