Emerging Voices: Young Women in Lebanese Politics

Although Lebanon is known in the Middle East for its relative political openness and for the degree of freedom Lebanese women enjoy, it paradoxically has one of the lowest rates of women’s political engagement in the region. This report examines the extent to which women are currently involved in politics in Lebanon, as well as the opportunities for increasing their involvement, by drawing on Alert’s work with the youth wings of Lebanese political parties and a conference Alert held on the topic of promoting gender equality in political parties. The first part of this report presents diverse perspectives from Lebanese and international experts within their conference speeches, and the second part includes an analysis of interviews with Lebanese youth, in which they reflect on their hopes, concerns and ideas for improving gender equality in Lebanese politics in the future.