Lina Abou-Habib is an advocate for women’s rights in Lebanon, promoting legal reforms to protect women’s custody rights and nationality laws. She highlights the significant challenges women face, such as discrimination and violence. Through her work at the Asfari Institute, she aims to empower women, challenge societal norms, and inspire future generations. Her activism has led to positive legal changes in Lebanon and influenced regional laws.
Lina Abou-Habib is a prominent advocate for women’s rights in the Middle East, focusing on changing laws regarding custody and residency for children born to Lebanese mothers married to foreign men. Growing up in Beirut, she witnessed significant gender discrimination and has made it her mission to address the legal barriers women face, such as losing custody of children during divorce proceedings governed by religious courts. The 1925 nationality law in Lebanon, which grants citizenship based solely on the father’s nationality, leaves many Lebanese children of foreign fathers without rights in their mother’s home country.
Abou-Habib, director of the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University of Beirut, has experienced these issues personally; her own daughter is not recognized as a Lebanese citizen. The Asfari Institute focuses on social justice movements in Lebanon and neighboring countries, collaborating with U.N. Women on various projects to bolster women’s roles in society. Their recent initiative aims to inspire young women to enter the medical field during a global conference for International Women’s Day.
Abou-Habib identifies vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse as predominant challenges for women in Lebanon and the Arab region. She advocates for shifts in how Arab societies view women, pushing for laws that support women’s dignity in marriage, divorce, and personal choices. She emphasizes the necessity of changing societal mindsets and educational curricula to portray women in diverse professional roles rather than traditional ones.
Since starting to advocate for reforms in nationality laws in 2000, Abou-Habib has organized protests that garnered international attention, raising awareness worldwide about the injustices faced by women. These efforts have contributed to recent policy changes that provide residency permits for children of Lebanese women married to foreigners, positively impacting their ability to reside legally in Lebanon. Abou-Habib notes that these campaigns have influenced other regional countries, prompting laws in their favor.
Lina Abou-Habib’s ongoing activism showcases significant strides toward improving women’s rights in Lebanon and the greater Middle East. By confronting discriminatory laws and advocating for legal reforms, she not only works for her daughter’s rights but also for women across the region. Change is not just legislative but also requires societal and educational shifts to foster a more equitable environment for women. The collaborative efforts demonstrated by the Asfari Institute exemplify a strong movement towards women’s empowerment, setting a precedent for future advocacy.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
