MUBS EZINE | ISSUE ToGather (Issue:0052-March 2019)

March 2019

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Featured Interview

International Women’s Day: An Interview with Abir Chebaro

MARCH 2019

Mrs. Abir Chebaro, the Vice President of Lebanon's National Commission for Lebanese Women and Advisor to Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Women Affairs. Here she talks to Togather about being a woman in the organization.

Q: International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrates the scientific, political, economic and social achievements of women. In your experience as a successful woman, what is its significance?

In my opinion IWD is a celebration of women’s achievements and tireless continuous struggle. It is a statement about the need to have equal rights and equal opportunities for the development and prosperity of human kind.

It isn’t a matter of personal success. It is a rallying and cumulative issue. I’m happy to contribute to raising awareness on the importance of gender equality and its multiplier effect on all aspects of life especially our economy, politics, education, health, environment, social and cultural wellbeing and sustainable development.

Q: What are your main responsibilities and achievements at the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) ?

As advisor to the Prime Minister (PM) on Women’s Affairs, I’m trying to voice the needs of women to the decision-makers, to lobby for Women’s rights to abolish discrimination, to show case the importance of women’s inclusion at every level of decision making and to gender mainstream into all areas. This is not easy because our society is patriarchal. Breaking the glass ceiling and overcoming barriers are making many people uncomfortable but because this is a priority on the PM agenda and has its support, it is succeeding. Appointing the first female Minister of Interior in the Arab World, the unprecedented nominations to the parliamentary elections, the appointments of women on governmental boards and in the diplomatic corp, the passing of many laws in the Council of Ministers, they all witness the strong will and the commitment of the PM to abolish discrimination and empower women.

Q:How would you describe your working environment?

The working environment is very challenging especially when you have to convince people of the importance of this agenda and its contribution to the social and economic well-being of the country.

Q: What has been the progress in advancing gender equality and women’s human rights in Lebanon over the past decade?

Over the few last years, Lebanon has passed several bills to amend discriminatory laws, from financial inclusion to social protection. The passing of a law to protect women from violence, although we are looking for its amendment to provide more protection, was a very important step forward. We need to compliment it by implementing the First National Strategy to Prevent and Combat Violence against girls and women in Lebanon, proposed by the Ministry of State of Women’s Affairs.

The Ministry of state for Women’s Affairs succeeded in proposing many law amendments and new law proposals. The two new laws that were approved by the council of ministers are: a law to penalize sexual harassment in the public places and places of work and a law to grant paid paternity leave, in order to build a system that supports women economic empowerment. In fact, on March 8, 2019, the trade law was amended to abolish discriminatory articles related to bankruptcy. This amendment was proposed several years ago by NCLW and adopted by MP Gilberte Zouein.

With the support of the World Bank Group and the government of Canada , PM Saad Hariri launched the Gender Mashreq Facility that aims to provide support to empower women economically and increase the female force by five percent in five years.

Also, Lebanon is implementing a strategy based on consultations with all stakeholders from government and CSOs to advance the women’s rights agenda.

And, NCLW has prepared the first National Action Plan to execute UNSCR 1325 in collaboration with different governmental and U.N. agencies and in consultation with CSOs and academia. The most important achievement in my opinion is that the awareness of the mass population, the senior officials and of political leaders, is continuously rising and women are succeeding in putting their issues on the political agenda.

Q: What barriers have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field? How did you overcome them?

The major barriers relate to finding the balance between my work and personal life. I was able to overcome them due to many people around me, mainly my husband, my mother and my children who are very supportive.

Other barriers relate to the nature of the agenda and its perception and interpretation. Instead of seeing you as assertive, they tell you that you are pushy!

Women’s issues are not a priority to everyone, and you need to deal with it.

Q: Finally, Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering a career such as yours?

I will quote Mrs Christina Lagarde [French lawyer and politician who is currently serving as the Managing Director and Chairwoman of the International Monetary Fund] in her advice to women :”Don’t give up on your dreams, keep your dreams and find allies”. Economic independence is the main pillar to a woman’s emancipation. In addition, confidence, perseverance and networking are woman’s must-have to walk the unpaved way to leadership.

BOX: What is International Women’s Day?

In 1975, during International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. In adopting its resolution, the General Assembly recognized the role of women in peace efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women’s full and equal participation.

International Women’s Day (March 8th) is celebrated each year in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

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