1971-1973 Activism

Campaigning for the abolishment of the personal status law

In the absence of a unified family law system in Lebanon, religious courts predominantly oversee the application of personal status laws with little governmental oversight. The religious courts of 18 recognised sects handle issues of marriage, divorce, custody, inheritance, and property rights. The concept of “citizenship” is bifurcated into “Lebanese men” and “Lebanese women,” and is divided along sectarian lines, resulting in 18 different articulations of citizenship in Lebanon. Additionally, the laws discriminate against women and are a breach of human rights, including the rights to non-discrimination, physical integrity, and health.