As part of his ongoing engagement for greater representation of women in all walks of life, British Ambassador Hugo Shorter met a group of women municipality members to hear about their successes representing their community in local government.\u00a0 The municipal members from Tyre, Arsal, Chouf and Chiyah shared their experiences of working to improve public services in their area and deliver benefits to the community. Shorter asked the women about their experiences of running for office as women, and what added value they felt women could bring.<\/p>\n
Some of the women spoke about challenges they faced due to negative attitudes, but Randa Ibrahim Abou Saleh from Tyr Municipality said, \u201cI haven\u2019t had problems, I\u2019ve been supported by the President of the Municipality, Deputy President, and all the members.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shorter also asked them about how they saw opportunities for women in the upcoming elections, and whether they saw municipality work as good preparation for parliament.<\/p>\n
And in particular, he asked about their successes as municipal members.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did a great job, and that\u2019s why they proposed me for a second mandate,\u201d said Rita Tawil of Chiyah Municipality. \u201cBut I\u2019m against the quota \u2013 I want women to prove themselves for themselves, not to be pushed by men.\u201d<\/p>\n
Randa Ibrahim Abou Saleh from Tyr said that, as head of the Women and Child Committee, she was \u201cworking to strengthen the role of women in society, improve their self-confidence, and help women to realize their potential, as well as working to benefit children.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Amal Takieddine of Chouf Municipality, who supported a quota for women, said that, \u201cAs women, we prove ourselves as highly committed and qualified, for a better tomorrow. My main priority is empowering and motivating youth and women.<\/p>\n
Rima Kronbie, the Deputy Head of Arsal municipality said she was also against the quota because \u201cwomen can prove their qualifications. In my role I am networking with everyone, including security services, and because of my background I understand and know about the people\u2019s concerns\u2026 I encourage all women to run for municipalities and parliament.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an inspiration to meet women municipality members today,\u201d Shorter said after the meeting. \u2018Selima Dergham was the first woman to head a municipality in Lebanon back in 1963, and Mirna Bustani was the first woman elected to parliament in 1963. Women today are continuing their tradition of contributing to their community and their nation. Around the world it has been shown that societies and economies succeed when women are able to participate fully, and the women I met today are the living evidence of that. That\u2019s why I welcome the campaign, which we\u2019ve seen across the country, to bring more Lebanese women into public office. I\u2019m also proud that the British Embassy has been supporting projects helping to raise the visibility of women parliamentary candidates from across the political spectrum and equip them, through training, with the tools they need to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
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