Mrs. Mahassen Mara Hanna shares her view on the "Lebanese Emigrant Women Rights" campaign

As a Lebanese-American currently representing the WLCU at the United Nations, I take pride and inspiration from Dr. Charles Malik (Lebanon) and Eleanor Roosevelt (US) two out of 9 Drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948.  The Preamble states clearly:

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Article 1 out of 30 states also that: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

Some progress has been made since WWII and since the adoption of this declaration; however, the task is upon us to make it finally a reality, especially in Lebanon.                

According to the UN Foundation’s report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by 189 countries when it convened at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000; there is one FACT: All developing regions in the world have achieved, or are close to achieving, gender parity in primary education.

Despite all ODDs befalling our Lebanon, we could still gather our efforts worldwide and bring ourselves to be on target with the world in advancing:

Goal 3:                 

Promote gender equality and empower women             

3.1 Ratios of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education

3.2 Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector

3.3 Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament.

The Lebanese emigrant would like to emphasize women rights, starting by girl’s Education which is a must for any country to progress.  Second, the participation of women, including the Lebanese emigrant, in national politics and the Legislation branch by holding proportional seats in the National Parliament

Mahassen Mara Hanna – July 10, 2014