Lebanese Women’s Day
Women’s Right to Vote in Lebanon
November 4, (1952)
Number of female heads of state to date: 0

Tala Mortada, Beirut based Resident DJ and managing partner of The Grand Factory and Ahm Club.
Tala is also the Co-Founder and Creative Director of design studio Clap Clap.
The women’s right to vote in Lebanon has a relatively recent history compared to some other countries. Lebanese women gained the right to vote and participate in the democratic process in the mid-20th century.
Lebanon gained its independence from French colonial rule in 1943, and discussions about suffrage rights for women began to emerge. However, it wasn’t until 1952 that Lebanese women obtained the right to vote and stand for election.
In 1952, the Lebanese Parliament passed an amendment to the electoral law granting women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. This marked a significant milestone in women’s rights in Lebanon and reflected the growing recognition of women’s political equality.
With the right to vote, Lebanese women began participating in the political process and shaping the country’s political landscape. Women have since held political positions, including members of parliament, government ministers, and even serving as the country’s prime minister.
Efforts have been made in Lebanon to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in politics. Women’s organizations and activists have worked to address gender disparities, advocate for women’s rights, and increase women’s representation in decision-making positions.
However, despite progress, challenges remain in achieving full gender equality in politics in Lebanon. Women’s representation in politics is still relatively low, and gender-based discrimination and social norms continue to pose barriers to women’s political participation.
Efforts are ongoing to address these challenges and promote women’s political empowerment. Various initiatives have been implemented to support women’s political leadership, increase their representation in elected bodies, and create an inclusive political environment.
The women’s right to vote in Lebanon represents an important step in the country’s democratic development and reflects the recognition of women as equal citizens. It highlights the importance of women’s active participation in the political process and the ongoing need to advance gender equality in Lebanese politics and society as a whole. Continued efforts are necessary to address remaining barriers and ensure full and meaningful participation of women in politics and decision-making processes.
(It Never Happened)
Office of the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs
1st Lebanese Women’s Day / Women’s Day Lebanon
Nov 4, (2018)
May 17, 2017
The Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, Jean Oghassabian, announced that the Cabinet approved November 4 as Lebanese Women’s Day. Women in Lebanon gained suffrage on November 4 in 1952, only five years after men did (in the year 1947).
Women’s Minister For Affairs Has Declared A National “Lebanese Women’s Day”
Last night it was announced that Lebanon will celebrate its first Lebanese Women’s Day on November 4th next year. On choosing this date, Jean Ogasapian, Women’s Minister for Affairs noted, “I chose Nov. 4 because on that day a decree was signed by the government giving women the right to vote for the first time.”
It is worth noting that Lebanese women gained the right to vote before Switzerland by almost twenty years. However, that was probably the only notable progression in terms of women’s rights since Lebanese independence in 1943, and currently, there is only one female minister and a few female MP’s.
From stay at home mothers, to women with families and full time jobs, this Lebanese Women’s Day aims to recognise and understand the “struggle of women in Lebanon”, noted Ogasapian, going on to say “we want to show what Lebanese women did for the country.”
Although a small step, it is indeed one in the right direction.
> beirut.com/l/51744
Journée de la femme au Liban
Le gouvernement fait du 4 novembre la Journée de la femme au Liban
“Le ministre d’État pour les Droits de la femme, Jean Oghassabian, a annoncé hier que, suite à une décision du Conseil des ministres, le 4 novembre sera désormais célébré comme la Journée nationale de la femme. Pourquoi cette date ? « Parce que c’est le 4 novembre 1952 que le premier décret stipulant l’amendement de la loi électorale et permettant à la femme libanaise de voter et de se présenter aux élections, a été émis », a-t-il répondu.
M. Oghassabian a dans ce contexte affirmé que son ministère œuvre, en concertation avec les autorités concernées, à « accorder à la femme tous ses droits ». « Le jour où j’ai pris mes fonctions au sein de ce ministère, j’ai su que j’avais un grand défi à relever, parce que je considère que la femme doit bénéficier de tous ses droits », a-t-il ajouté.”
> lorientlejour.com/le-4-novembre-sera-la-journee-de-la-femme-au-liban.html