Conferees in Lebanon call for women political empowerment
Officials taking part in a forum on Arab women as business leaders called yesterday for empowering female activists in the political realm. Enas Abdelaziz, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwaithead quartered Dotspace Group noted that Kuwaiti women have succeeded in occupying a noticeable status in the political field in Kuwait.
Digital revolution has removed some barriers facing the women with business aspirations, she said, indicating that a large number of businesswomen in Kuwait have succeeded in marketing their products online.
Business has become largely easy, with no need to rent a store or find a male partner, she says, also opining that the “major obstacle facing women is no longer men but technological illiteracy.” Lebanon’s former finance minister Rayya Al-Hassan said that the major challenges facing women in the Arab world is representation in the parliaments and municipal councils.
The ex-minister of environment, Mohammad Rahhal, noted that Lebanon has established the ministry of women affairs with aim of improving status of this segment. Earlier, Lebanese Minister of State for Women Affairs Jean Ogazapian, lauded in the inauguration statement the Arab women for making achievements at various levels while remaining a functioning parent, indicating that he is seeking to prove that men are supporters of women and do not “constitute a hindrance in their way.”
Alya Abbas, the general director of the ministry of economy, said 59 percent of the country’s eligible voters are women, however they occupy only eight percent of the parliamentary seats and one percent of the cabinet posts. Up to 18 occupy very senior posts in the State administration. — KUNA