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What Challenges do Women Face in Lebanon?
4/14/2026

What Challenges do Women Face in Lebanon?

In Lebanon, women’s rights are brought about by a combination of progressive and persistent challenges. While they have the right to vote, run for office, and work, major legal and social barriers remain. For example, Lebanon has a religious code system that affects personal status. That being said, marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance laws discriminate against women and give power to men.

Throughout the nation, women's rights in Lebanon reflect a mix of progress and challenges. Women in Lebanon gained the right to vote in 1952, run for office, and participate in the workforce, and represent high positions in government (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Lebanon).


However, they aren’t favored in matters of divorce and child custody, as well as family structure, nor in passing citizenship to their kids.


Also, while domestic violence remains a serious crime, enforcement against abusers remains weak, and victim protection is practically nonexistent. In 2014, Lebanon's Parliament passed Law No. 293, which provides restraining orders and protective measures for women who are victims of domestic violence (https://borgenproject.org/womens-rights-in-lebanon/).


In recent years, the Lebanese government has taken reformative steps to increase equality. For example, officials ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1997 and have introduced policies against domestic violence.


Meanwhile, social norms and patriarchal attitudes further limit women's freedom and participation in public life. For example, women make up 22% to 24% of the country's labor force, hold less than 7% of seats in Parliament, and comprise 51% of registered voters (https://lebanon.unwomen.org/en/stories/press-release/2025/10/research-sheds-light-on-women-in-lebanese-political-parties-ahead-of-2026-elections).


While laws have been brought up in discussion, the implementation patterns remain unstable due to deeply ingrained patriarchal norms. The improvement of women’s rights isn’t just about individual freedom, but about gender equality, as it also improves Lebanon’s social and economic growth.


Despite challenges, women across the country, along with nonprofit organizations, continue to fight for reform. 

Why it matters

Gender equality is crucial for the growth of Lebanon’s democracy. Advancing laws that give more rights to women helps improve the nation’s socio-economic status.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) Can Lebanese women pass their citizenship to their children?

Under a 1925 decree, Lebanese women cannot pass their citizenship to their foreign husbands or their children. Lebanese men can pass on nationality freely, but children of female citizens and foreign fathers face hurdles.

Source: borgenproject.org/womens-rights-in-lebanon

2) What percentage of Lebanese women make up Lebanon's Parliament?

Women make up under 5% of Lebanon's Parliament, and hold no top leadership positions.

Source: arabstates.unwomen.org/en/countries/lebanon

3) Does Lebanon have a civil code for family matters?

Lebanon does not have a unified civil code for family matters.

Source: arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-harrowing-state-of-womens-rights-in-lebanon

Women's Rights Equality Lebanon Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women