CEDAW implementation in a confessional Lebanon

The CEDAW: or the bill of rights for Women around the world.

A convention that has been ratified by Lebanon in 1996, but with exceptions, mainly on the article 16:  Marriage, and Family law. Yes Lebanon, one of the most modern country in the Middle East has used it s right to say no to some provision of international convention, provision that can help it s Women to be  Full Right Citizens, a first class citizen.

But no, the State has a confessional political and religious system, so  reservations have been made on an international convention. Reservation that nullify the convention and the gender equality in our beautiful and modern Cedar Country.

Reservation that deepens discrimination between people in My country.

Family law, adoption, inheritance are not regulated by a Unified code between all Citizens, but by personal religious courts.

That is why Lebanon has exercised  its right not to implement certain provisions of the treaty, even though Lebanon has signed and ratified the  CEDAW!

I am a lebanese women, a lebanese citizen and I aspire to be:

a complete Citizen, having the same rights as my fellow lebanese women citizen without regard to their confession.

a full right citizen.

I aspire to be:

a full right citizen, without discrimination between me and my fellow men citizen.

I aspire to have my Rights as a Human being related to a State not just to a confession.

Let me believe at home in my personal square and sphere,

let me be and react in a State where the Lebanese community prevails,

Yes I aspire to let the Lebanese Community Be.

Yes I want my state to lift the reservations on the CEDAW convention,

for me to be,

for MY LEBANESE COMMUNITY TO Exist!

Rita

©  Rita Chemaly. www.ritachemaly.wordpress.com

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Friends I took this billbaord this morning: I saw this campaign 2 days ago on the Lebanese streets!!

Campaign to lift reservations on CEDAW art16