Oghassapian Defends Women's Right for Parliamentary Seat Quota

State Minister for Women's Affairs Jean Oghassapian defended on Friday the females' right for parliamentary seat quota, saying it's a duty of the constitutional authorities and not an option, the State-run National News Agency reported.

“The adoption of quotas for women in the parliamentary elections law is not a discrimination between men and women,” said Oghassapian.

“It is a means of achieving equality in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its agreements, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, all of which are an integral part of the constitution of the Lebanese State,” he added.

“Based on that, the quota for women is the duty of the constitutional authorities and not an option,” stressed Oghassapian.

Criticizing how some parties reject the matter, the Minister wondered: “How can some refuse a quota for women in the electoral law and accept the application of sectarian quotas in all other laws, although the latter is not stipulated in the constitution?”

“Many countries in the developed world adopt quotas in their electoral laws. Shouldn't Lebanon assimilate the experiences of successful countries to achieve equality rather than sticking to considerations that prevent Lebanon from restoring its advanced role in the region?” he asked.