Violence Against Women in Lebanon
The Daily Star (Lebanon) has published a rare look at violence against women in that country, where it is estimated that an honor killing takes place every week.
“In the minds of most Lebanese violence is something that is public and political, perpetrated by forces outside their individual communities. In contrast the home and the family are havens of safety and refuge, cocooning their members from the perils of the outside world.
Yet this cozy ideal is a fallacy for a number of women in Lebanon, who instead face physical and mental abuse in their homes from their husbands, fathers, brothers and other family members.”
According to the article, there are no laws in Lebanon pertaining to family violence and the first center for women who have been abused only opened in 2005.
Filed under: Uncategorized, Atrocities
So, if there are no laws in Lebanon pertaining to family violence, how about applying to family situations the ones having to do with violence in general? In some countries, there is no distinction made between the two. . .violence is violence.
I am saddened to read that the first women’s shelter in Lebanon was established just two years ago. I have always considered Lebanon one of the more progressive countries in the region.
Jordan just opened its first women’s shelter a few months ago, but it expressly will not take in girls and women who are at risk for “honor” killings, and these are the people most in need of shelter and protection.
Ellen R. Sheeley, Author
“Reclaiming Honor in Jordan”
The Daily Star Article was very distressing indeed. There is hope however. Violence against women is preventable and there are solutions proven to succeed. The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), if passed, would incorporate these solutions into existing U.S. foreign assistance programs. It would support local women’s organizations overseas that are working to end violence against women in their countries. The I-VAWA, expected to be introduced into the Senate this Fall, was developed by the Women’s Edge Coalition (Edge), Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), and members of Congress with the help of organizational partners. It is the result of extensive research on what works: it was drafted in consultation with more than 150 groups including U.S.-based NGOs, U.N. agencies and 40 women’s groups across the globe. Please take a second to sign the petition in support of this important piece of legislation.