Nadyn Jouny

Lebanese activist Nadyn Jouny is trending on Twitter since news about her death in a road accident spread on Sunday. She was a fierce defender of women’s rights in Lebanon. Her funeral took place on Monday in her hometown of Bint Jbeil in South Lebanon.

Jouny’s death brought many women’s issues in Lebanon to the surface again. Jouny, a 29-year-old mother, worked for the Abaad organization and led multiple campaigns against religious courts in Lebanon during her fight for her son’s custody after a bitter divorce battle.

For years, Jouny spoke out against religious courts in Lebanon that grant fathers full custody of their kids. Her focus was the Jaafari Shiite custody laws that took her son away after she divorced her abusive husband. She died before fulfilling her goal and winning her son’s custody. In a statement posted on Facebook, the Abaad organization invited Jouny’s friends and allies to honor the activist on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

“We pledge to honor Nadyn’s path and activist fight,” Abaad stated. “She symbolized Lebanese mothers’ fight against suppression and misogyny of all sorts.”

Thousands mourned the loss of the brave mother on social media. @ sara_mortada0 said: “Women in our country will always remember you as an enthusiastic activist. Rest in peace, beautiful Nadyn.”

@nour_kadaha also said: “When the injustice is being protected by law, it means the law itself is unjust and has to be changed!”

Also @Ali_Khanafer_2 tweeted: “We lost a colleague and a friend who, despite all challenges, kept the biggest smile on her face. Nadyn never gave up battling against religious courts in #Lebanon for the custody of her son. A fierce fighter and a true symbol of

hope!”