Lina Abou-Habib, a Lebanese advocate for women’s rights, challenges discriminatory laws in Lebanon, particularly regarding custody and nationality. She emphasizes the need for legal reforms and societal changes to enhance women’s dignity and rights. Her initiatives have led to significant policy changes, impacting the lives of many women and children in the region.
Lina Abou-Habib is a prominent advocate for women’s rights in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East. She strives to reform discriminatory laws affecting women, particularly those related to custody and residency rights for children of Lebanese mothers. Abou-Habib asserts that Lebanon, despite its progressive image, harbors laws that undermine women’s rights, stating, “People think of Lebanon as a contemporary, open country, but there are many laws that discriminate against women.”
The impact of these laws is evident, particularly in custody disputes governed by religious courts that typically favor fathers. Many women face severe consequences when attempting to leave abusive marriages, fearing loss of custody over their children. Abou-Habib highlights this issue, sharing that “I’ve had more than one friend who is being physically abused by her husband but is too afraid to leave for fear of never seeing her children again.”
She also highlights the outdated citizenship law from 1925 that denies citizenship to children of Lebanese mothers married to foreign men. As the director of the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship, she aims to reform this law. Abou-Habib notes, “They will forever be viewed as aliens in the country of their mothers.” This inequality prevents children from accessing essential services such as education and public employment.
The Asfari Institute seeks to drive social justice initiatives across the region and is increasingly collaborating with U.N. Women on various projects. This past International Women’s Day, they hosted a global conference aimed at empowering women in the medical field, encouraging young women to pursue careers in this domain.
In a recent interview, Abou-Habib discussed the pervasive challenges women face in Lebanon, citing vulnerability to violence and harassment as significant issues. She advocates for legal and societal changes, stating, “I want to see laws that uphold the dignity of women, particularly when it comes to marriage, divorce and being able to decide if they want to have children or not.”
Furthermore, she emphasizes the importance of altering educational curricula to portray women in diverse, professional roles. These changes, she asserts, will contribute to a shift in societal perceptions of women. Abou-Habib is proud of her accomplishments, including the easing of residency permit policies for children of Lebanese mothers and their foreign spouses, significantly impacting women’s rights in the region.
By publicly addressing nationality laws, she has drawn international attention to these injustices. Her activism has inspired policy changes in Lebanon and neighboring countries such as Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco, bolstering the rights of women throughout the region.
Lina Abou-Habib’s commitment to advocating for women’s rights in Lebanon and the Middle East is profound. Through her work, she seeks to reform laws that discriminate against women, particularly regarding custody and nationality. Her initiatives have led to significant policy changes and raised awareness of gender inequality issues. By continuing to push for legislative reforms and promoting positive societal perceptions of women, Abou-Habib is contributing to a more equitable future in the region.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
