Feminism around the world: Lebanon

[the_future_modernes]

via: Shakesville



Feminist group reclaiming gender roles in Lebanon

BEIRUT: Nasawiya, a feminist collective in Lebanon about to celebrate its first anniversary, is seeking to change the discourse about women’s issues in the country by creating a safe space for discussion and initiatives to educate Lebanese society about feminism.

“I didn’t know what feminism was when I was younger because I never learned about it in school. It’s not a word you hear often,” said the coordinator for Nasawiya, Farah Salka.

“It’s a word that scares people. People say ‘No, I’m totally not a feminist,’ even when they agree with the same principles I do.”

Nasawiya – or “feminist” – is not a women’s rights organization of the traditional, issue-based model. It was set up in February 2010 specifically as a collective of members who adhere to a common, feminist ideology and want to work together on gender-related issues.

“[Women’s rights] are more of a checklist like participation in politics, work, education, etcetera. When you get those rights you check it off and think, ‘finished,’” said Salka, adding that Nasawiya’s mission is, “much deeper than getting the law right, thinking about how to make society actually adapt to it and accept it.”MORE