Steps in the Right Direction: Lebanese Government Drafts Law on the Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence
TYO has been closely following a heartbreaking story in Lebanon that has left a family of 5 children without their mother. As empowering and supporting women and children is a crucial part of TYO’s role in Lebanon, we can’t help but pay close attention to the news as it relates to domestic violence and protecting women. Sadly, Mrs. Roula Yaacoub, the 31-year-old mother of five, was found beaten at her home in the town of Halba. She died upon arrival to the hospital. While Roula’s story has made the local news, unfortunately, many women in Lebanon suffer from various forms of violence, as the laws do not support protecting women. While there are no official statistics, it is estimated that at least 12 women die, annually, as a result of their husband’s violence against them at home.
This most recent horrible story brings to the social forefront an issue that many groups have been working toward resolving, as protecting women against domestic violence is of huge concern for many NGO’s in Lebanon. Some local organizations have been working on establishing laws with the government, which legalizes the protection of women, while TYO focuses on empowering women through projects that foster women’s economical capability. We hope this will enable financial independence and allow women the strength and confidence to raise their voices for equal rights for women in Lebanon.
While this story has carries so much sadness, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Fortunately, on Monday, July 22nd, 2013, the joint parliamentary committees approved a draft-law on the protection of women from domestic violence, which is a major step towards helping and protecting women against domestic violence. While we still have a long way to go, women in Lebanon can consider this a strong step towards the establishment of protection rights and can be considered a victory for the NGO’s and activists who have been so dedicated in lobbying the government for such rights, so TYO salutes all of that hard work!
For more information about this story:
https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jul-22/224584-parliament-committee-backs-domestic-violence-law.ashx#axzz2ZxagHXad