First Lady briefed by Claudine Aoun on the National Commission for Lebanese Women’s activities before assuming its presidency

Parity between women and men in the formation of the new government

The First Lady, Mrs. Neemat Aoun, praised the role of the National Commission for Lebanese Women and its achievements over the past years, which have elevated the status of women in Lebanon to the highest levels.

She affirmed her commitment to continuing the work toward achieving the aspirations of Lebanese women for progress and an active and influential presence in Lebanese social life.

Her remarks came during a meeting at Baabda Palace with the President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women, Mrs. Claudine Aoun, and the Vice President, Mrs. Mona Saleh, in the presence of the diplomatic advisor to the Presidency, Ambassador Jean Murad.

During the meeting, the President of the Commission congratulated the First Lady on the election of President Joseph Aoun and presented reports on the achievements of the Commission during its current General Assembly, awaiting the appointment of a new General Assembly after the formation of the government.

Mrs. Claudine Aoun explained that, due to the importance of continuing the work of public institutions, the Commission did not stop performing its tasks during the presidential vacuum. Over the past seven and a half years, it worked with professionalism, transparency, and volunteerism, in a collaborative manner with various stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

She added, "Despite the challenges and obstacles we faced, especially those faced by Lebanese women, we achieved significant accomplishments, including raising societal awareness of women's issues and the importance of enhancing their role across various fields, implementing administrative reforms within the National Commission, passing new laws to protect women and girls from all forms of violence, and amending other laws to achieve equality between women and men. Additionally, we have prepared and begun implementing the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon 2022-2030 and its first action plan, along with the first national action plan for Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (2019-2023), and its second plan, which will serve, along with the National Strategy for Women, as a roadmap for the coming years."

The President of the Commission expressed hope that the principle of gender parity between women and men would be adopted in the formation of the new government, with the hope that this principle would soon be enshrined in both law and culture. She also hoped that the new government would adopt and approve the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon and the second national action plan for the implementation of Resolution 1325.

She wished the new General Assembly of the National Commission and its incoming president success in advancing women's issues in Lebanon.

It is noteworthy that the presidency of the Commission will be transferred to the First Lady, Mrs. Neemat Aoun, after the formation of the new government.