Lina Abou-Habib is a prominent advocate for women’s rights in Lebanon, aiming to reform laws that discriminate against women, particularly regarding custody and nationality issues. Her work through the Asfari Institute highlights the urgent need for legal and societal changes to enhance women’s rights in the Arab region.
Lina Abou-Habib is a pivotal advocate for women’s rights in Lebanon, dedicated to altering unjust laws that endanger women’s custody rights and children’s residency status. From her position as director at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University in Beirut, she works tirelessly to improve the lives of women in the Middle East amid persistent gender inequalities.
Raised in Beirut, Ms. Abou-Habib consistently encountered gender discrimination, noting that while Lebanon presents itself as an open society, it harbors many discriminatory laws against women. She highlighted a significant issue in family law, which, governed by religious courts, often denies mothers custody in divorce cases, even in instances of domestic abuse.
Furthermore, the nationality law, established in 1925, exacerbates the plight of Lebanese women who marry foreigners. This law stipulates that children derive citizenship from their fathers, meaning children of Lebanese mothers married to foreign men lack Lebanese nationality. This plight has personal relevance to Ms. Abou-Habib, who faces the same predicament with her own daughter.
The Asfari Institute also engages in collaborative research projects aimed at social change in the Arab region, partnering with U.N. Women to advocate for women’s rights. Among many initiatives, they aimed to inspire young women in the medical field through a planned conference for International Women’s Day.
Ms. Abou-Habib addressed the key challenges faced by women in Lebanon and the broader Arab region, notably the prevalence of violence and sexual harassment, often exacerbated by societal attitudes that blame victims. She emphasized the necessity for a transformative change in societal attitudes and legal structures regarding women’s rights.
To achieve lasting change, she stressed that altering laws must coincide with changing societal mindsets and educational curricula. She advocates for a representation of women beyond traditional roles in school textbooks, promoting images of women in professional capacities.
Furthermore, by publicly championing reforms in nationality laws since 2000 and organizing demonstrations, Ms. Abou-Habib succeeded in bringing greater awareness to these issues. Her activism has prompted critical changes, facilitating residency rights for children of Lebanese mothers, thereby allowing them to legally remain in Lebanon.
Lina Abou-Habib’s advocacy for women’s rights in Lebanon showcases the intersection of legal reform and societal change. By addressing discriminatory laws and societal perceptions, she strives to empower women and provide them with the rights they deserve. Through grassroots activism and strategic partnerships, she continues to influence significant legal shifts in the region, enhancing opportunities for women in various capacities.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
