In the context of Lebanon’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Women, Peace and Security agenda, including UN Resolution 1325 and Lebanon’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, partners must continue to approach development in ways that further gender equality and women’s empowerment. In this context, one of the guiding principles of the 3RF is gender equality and women’s empowerment, more specifically, promoting women’s meaningful and active participation in planning and decision making, supporting gender-sensitive policies, and addressing gender gaps.
Legislative reform priorities for 2023 include advocating and calling for:
- An electoral quota law (with an initial focus on the municipal level in light of the upcoming municipal elections);
- Amendments to improve protections under the domestic violence law; and
- Implementation and accountability for the anti-sexual harassment law.
It should be noted that highlighting the above priorities does not preclude ongoing advocacy on other important reforms as well, such as those linked to personal status and nationality legislation, or gender equality in the labor code, social security law, and cooperatives legislation. This also considers the inter-related nature of multiple gender-related laws.
In 2021-2022, the 3RF had a Social Cohesion, Inclusion, and Gender Working Group. In an effort to simplify coordination, in 2023, priority legislative reforms under this sector is being discussed in accordance with the 3RF principle of inclusive dialogue within the forum of the Gender Working Group, which is a longer-standing group and encompasses discussions linked to the 3RF, UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, Emergency Response Plan, and Lebanon Crisis Response Plan.