Lebanon
Our programmes
Enhancing women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Background
In the Middle East and North Africa region, it is estimated that 35% of women experience some form of violence. Contributing factors that allow this norm to prevail include a lack of legislation that criminalises domestic violence, limited protection for women inside their homes, as well as a justice and a court system ill prepared to prosecute perpetrators and protect victims. Legislatures can play a crucial role in establishing a legal environment that protects women
Programme objectives
WFD supports women’s political participation and leadership so they can influence decision-making and bring about positive change. From 2012, WFD’s support to women MPs across the Middle East and North Africa has focused on effective leadership and encouraging women MPs to use their political influence for legislative change that eradicates discrimination against women and girls in the region.
Completed programmes
Strengthening Democratic Mechanisms for Reform, Accountability and Dialogue ( 2019 – 2022)
Under this programme, WFD worked with the Lebanese parliament to improve the extent to which parliament made services and information accessible to citizens, for example through online tools. Our programme also promoted human rights and gender equality, working with the parliament to advance policy changes that are in line with human rights standards. Finally, WFD worked to ensure politicians and state institutions are able and willing to tackle urgent national challenges and work on reforms to improve the country’s stability
Elections Skills Programme (January 2017 - March 2018)
This programme was implemented jointly with the National Democratic Institute. It aimed to build the skills and confidence of first-time candidates to run effective and inclusive parliamentary elections campaigns. Through a series of tailored workshops and individual consultations, 100 first-time candidates from across the political spectrum were equipped with critical campaign skills. First-time women candidates gained skills in how to address challenges specific to women’s political participation. Candidates with a high potential for winning a seat in the parliament also benefitted from mentoring from visiting British politicians.
More completed programmes
Key results
Supported women leaders in changing laws
A three-year action plan for the Women and Children Committee strategic plan was developed; the first of its kind in the Arab region. This helped changing laws about sexual harassment and protecting minors from alcohol abuse.
Supported a more effective parliament
Established the Arab Institute for Parliamentary Training and Legislative Studies and helped developed a 3-year business plan for the training centre.
Made parliament more open to citizens
Development of a communication strategy and outreach plan for the parliament, including e-public consultation and the design of a new website that is more inclusive and interactive.
Empowered Youth Parliament
Provided Lebanon’s newly elected Youth Parliament with capacity building about Parliament, its functions, and procedures.
Developed E-governance
CSOs formed a coalition known as the Digital Transformation and Governance Network (DTGN[). Through WFD’s issue-based and supportive organisational development approach, DTGN experts are now seen as the ‘go to’ contact by parliamentarians for information and analysis on e-governance issues.
Facilitated the first public hearing
Facilitated the first public hearing in the history of the Lebanese Parliament, helping to design and deliver an enquiry into the economic security of women in Lebanon. Civil society noted this change in practice as a positive step towards the parliament’s openness to citizen engagement.
