Women’s Experiences Running for Parliament in Lebanon’s 2018 Elections

Women in Lebanon have a long history of being active in social and public life, including during its civil war. Women have also played a significant role in non-governmental organizations and many social organizations in Lebanon. Although formal laws do not hinder women from participating in political life, culture and informal societal rules and norms still stand in the way of women running and being elected to Parliament, equal to men. Whether the patriarchal system, traditions, or religion, there are a number of hurdles that stand in the way of women’s participation in the political life.