Under Article 7 of Lebanon’s constitution, “all Lebanese are equal before the law. They equally enjoy civil and political rights, and assume obligations and public duties without any distinction among them.” In 1952, Lebanon became one of the first countries in the Arab world to grant women full access to the political process, and with a fairly progressive legal system, they were widely considered one of the most egalitarian in the region. In 1997 the country ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and a year later the government established the National Commission for Lebanese Women. However, Lebanon’s strict patriarchal structures and 15 religion-based personal status laws have hindered the advancement of women’s rights. Only 17 women have ever served in the Lebanese parliament and the government has failed to remain in compliance with CEDAW in protecting women from domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment. After undergoing a political and economic crisis beginning in 2019, which was worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic and the port explosion in Beirut in 2020, marginalized people across the country are experiencing an increase in violence and discrimination. Fortunately, feminist NGOs such as the League for Lebanese Women’s Rights and KAFA are hard at work to challenge the country’s patriarchal structures and propose legislation that aims to eliminate gender inequality and violence against women and children.
Female sports participation in Lebanon has grown over the past decade, despite the religious and cultural norms of the region. Soccer is the most popular team sport among women and girls due in large part to the support of the Lebanese Football Association and FIFA. Over the last ten years, both organizations have focused their attention on developing youth soccer by organizing tournaments, leagues, and clinics. That support has paid off as the U-15 and U-18 national teams won the 2019 West Asian Football Federation Women’s Championship, while the senior national team finished third. The first women to represent Lebanon at the Olympics were Arda Kalpakian (athletics) and Ani Mugrditchian (swimming) at the 1972 Games. Trap shooter Ray Bassil won gold at the 2016 International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup, and became the first Lebanese and Arab woman to compete in three Olympic Games.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Lebanon:
Evelyne Aouad Turk
Karen Chammas
Racha Kalot
How does Lebanon compare to other countries?
Where do you want to explore next?
Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
5%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
3%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
No
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Vartine Ohanian, 2020- Present
Title IX Timeline
1943
On November 22, Lebanon gained independence from France and women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1972
Arda Kalpaklan and Ani Jane Mugrditchian became the first women to represent Lebanon in the Olympics.
1997
Lebanon ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
2019
Lebanon signed the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, affirming that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict, the delivery of relief and recovery efforts and in the forging of lasting peace.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
3
-
4
-
1
-
8
-
16
-
3
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1972
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
1976
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
The first woman could be you!
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
N/A.
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
2006
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
2001
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
For More Information
