Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Thursday, May 22, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    • AUB Outdoors ☀️
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»News»Lebanon News
    4 Mins Read

    New Female Ministers In Lebanon Are Facing Harassment And Sexism

    By Rafaela NajiJanuary 29, 2020Updated:May 13, 2021
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    If there is one thing particularly unique about the Lebanese revolution it’s the large participation of women. Women of all ages and backgrounds have taken to the streets fighting for everyone’s rights and demand change, alongside their male counterparts.

    Throughout the revolution, Lebanese women were on the front lines of demonstrations, facing soldiers and riot police. They were buffers preventing outbreaks of violence.

    Their strength and commitment are what have kept this revolution going.  The support that the Lebanese women gave to the revolution has allowed the protesters to stay on the streets as long as they did, and for the revolution to persevere as long as it did.  

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Lebanese Art (@lebaneseart961)

    That has included but not been limited to providing water and home-cooked food, contributing informative sessions in tents, enduring alongside and the same as the men, and leading marches.

    Women hand in hand from all over Lebanon, the rich, the poor, from different religions and different cities, came together for a country they love, to support one another in hopes for a better future for their children.  

    It was the unwavering courage, creativity, determination, and support that women have shown through this revolution that has made the revolution in Lebanon be called: Woman.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4inrTTpitg

    Regrettably, their remarkable participation has exposed them to misogynistic attitudes making them targets of some media outlets.

    According to the Global Economy, Lebanon has one of the lowest world ranks in women’s participation in the labor force. Up till the formation of the new government, women were underrepresented in the political field.

    The newly formed government has 6 new women heading important ministries, like justice and defense, and it is the highest female representation in the region. 

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by UN Women Australia (@unwomenaust)

    In spite of all which we seek as a nation to evolve through this revolution, these women were sexualized and objectified as soon as their names were declared public.

    Some people disregarded their backgrounds, achievements, and degrees, and found ways to cyber harass them. What’s very disappointing is that even some women participated in the harassment and sexualization of the new Ministers.

    بكرا حسب هورمونات وزيرة الدفاع منشوف اذا بترّد على عدوان اسرائيلي أو لاء 🤣

    — هنادي جرجس – Hanady gerges (@HanadyGerges) January 21, 2020

    Lebanese women have and still play an important role in the transformative change of Lebanon. Equality has not been reached between men and women in Lebanon yet.

    We are only just now on the right track, and the least we could do is to support the efforts and show some respect.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by FEM Apparel (@fem_apparel_co)

    Women’s empowerment has never been as important as it is now in the light of these harassments.

    Debasing sexist comments should not even exist in a revolution against oppression in all its forms, let alone in a society that deems itself educated, intellectual, dignified, and open to progress. 

    Truth is, comments like these ones speak more of the commentator than of the women he or she is insulting for her gender, aka for simply being a woman. It’s disgraceful to the offender, first and foremost. And it is unacceptable by all moral principles.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by KAFA (enough) Violence & Exploitation (@kafalebanon)

    We as individuals should look at our mothers and all the greatness they’ve done for us, and the vital role they play in the preservation and the perpetuation of our nation to know how capable Lebanese women are, and how deserving of our respect they are.

    It is weird when we think that women issuing such sexist comments could be found complaining about gender inequality when it comes to them. We all know that that’s a complaint we so hear in our society among women for decades.

    The least they can do is to take a respectful stance towards those who have reached a level in which they could bring that change.

    A reminder to the Lebanese people in general, whether men or women, whether they are with or against the new government, with or against the revolution, attacking women for being women does not lead to positive change. On the contrary, it shoots us backward.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3-WRo8H860

    We, as a nation, as a society that takes pride in itself, as a people seeking a better Lebanon, are called to judge these ministers according to the outcome of their competencies and work efforts; not their gender. 

    Only then, we can say if they were up to the challenge or not. That is the stance we all ought to take, for that is our participation in the changes we seek. Reforms start with us.

    التعليقات والدعابات المهينة الي عم نقراها حول موضوع الوزيرات المكلّفات كافية لتعطينا فكرة حول نظرة المجتمع للمرأة، وهالمجتمع طالما بعدو بيتعاطى بالشأن النسائي هيك ما بعمرو بيتطور …
    المرأة ليست نصف المجتمع بل هي صانعة المجتمع.#womenempowerment #لبنان_ينتفض

    — AhmadShalhoub (@AhmadShalhoub18) January 22, 2020
    She961
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    uae travel ban lebanon 961

    UAE Is Officially Removing The Travel Ban On Lebanon

    Joe Issa El-Khoury 961

    Who is Joe Issa El-Khoury, Lebanon’s New Minister of Industry

    Adel Nassar 961

    Who is Adel Nassar, Lebanon’s New Minister of Justice

    Nizar Hani 961

    Who is Nizar Hani, Lebanon’s New Minister of Agriculture

    Charles Hajj 961

    Who Is Charles Hajj, Lebanon’s New Minister of Telecommunications

    Nora Bayrakdarian 961

    Who is Nora Bayrakdarian, Lebanon’s New Minister of Youth and Sports

    Ampere Cinema Reopens Its Doors In North Lebanon After 28 Years Of Absence

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    April 22, 2019
    saint levant aub outdoors 2025 961

    Saint Levant Is Officially Headlining AUB Outdoors 2025!

    May 7, 2025

    Lebanon’s Shawarma Is Going Viral in The Philippines

    April 21, 2019
    dew apparel nada koussa miss lebanon 961

    Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa Just Launched A Sportswear Brand

    May 3, 2025
    Lebanese boutiques

    25 Boutiques In Lebanon To Find Your Dream Evening Dress This Wedding Season

    June 9, 2024

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    April 21, 2020
    nada koussa miss world miss lebanon 961

    Nada Koussa Just Left To Represent Lebanon At Miss World

    May 7, 2025
    arabic words

    30 Beautiful Arabic Words You Probably Want To Learn

    April 22, 2020
    Fitness Lebanon

    15 Top Gyms in Lebanon for Every Workout Style

    November 2, 2023
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Okay