Lina Abou-Habib advocates for women’s rights in the Middle East, focusing on legal reforms to protect women’s custody rights and citizenship for their children. As director of the Asfari Institute, she highlights systemic gender discrimination and works to change negative societal attitudes. Ms. Abou-Habib’s activism has led to significant policy changes in Lebanon regarding residency rights for children of Lebanese mothers married to non-Lebanese men.
Lina Abou-Habib is a prominent advocate for women’s rights in the Middle East, particularly focusing on legal issues that prevent women from securing child custody and residency for their children in Lebanon. Growing up in Beirut, she experienced gender discrimination and recognized that many laws do not favor women. Ms. Abou-Habib highlights the difficulties faced by women seeking divorces in abusive situations, where fear of losing custody often prevents them from leaving.
At 62 years old, Ms. Abou-Habib directs the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University of Beirut. Her primary goal is to reform the 1925 nationality law, which denies Lebanese citizenship to children of Lebanese women married to foreign men. She points out that this law renders children alien in their mother’s country, depriving them of essential rights such as access to public education and government employment.
The Asfari Institute actively researches social justice movements across Lebanon and other countries while connecting activists with academia. For International Women’s Day, they plan to host a global conference encouraging young women to join the medical profession. Ms. Abou-Habib often addresses the myriad challenges faced by women in Lebanon, including violence and societal acceptance of harassment, which hinder their ability to seek legal help.
To instigate change, Ms. Abou-Habib advocates for an evolution in societal attitudes towards women, the implementation of supportive laws, and a reformed educational curriculum that better represents women in professional roles. She emphasizes the importance of understanding that gender inequality is reinforced by cultural taboos and fear, which can only be dismantled through public discourse and activism.
Since beginning her activism in 2000, Ms. Abou-Habib has driven significant changes in policies that facilitate legal residency for children of Lebanese women married to foreigners. A directive issued in 2010 has made it easier for non-Lebanese spouses and children to obtain residency permits. Her efforts have inspired similar legislative changes in countries like Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco, underscoring the impact of her campaign in promoting women’s rights.
Lina Abou-Habib’s journey underscores the critical fight for women’s rights in Lebanon and the broader Middle East. Through her dedication and activism, she confronts deeply ingrained societal norms and legal barriers that impede women’s equality. Her work not only highlights pressing issues but also demonstrates the power of public advocacy in enacting change, creating pathways for future generations of women in the region.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
