BEIRUT: For 18 days, Lebanese women have been the front line, backbone, and soul of what has come to be known as the October Revolution.

Revolutionary women joined hands and forces in a protest march on Sunday. Multiple feminist NGOs and a large crowd marched from the National Museum of Beirut to Martyr’s Square, while chanting: “the revolution is a woman,” “she is coming to tear down the patriarchy,” and “I have a right to pass my nationality to my children.”

“We want to reinforce that women are playing an essential role in this revolution,” journalist and feminist activist Hayat Mirshad, told Annahar. “We say women rights are a priority, and we are marching to fight this patriarchal system that has oppressed women for generations.”

The protest also commemorated activist Nadine Jouni, who passed away in a car accident earlier in October after protesting against the Ja’afri Court for denying her right to take custody of her son.

“We are here today for Nadine and every woman who had her children taken away from her by religious courts that are fueled by sexism and patriarchy,” LU student Farah Aframi, told Annahar..

Joumana Haddad also participated with the crowd and chanted: “this is a feminist revolution and it will bring down the system.”

Aside from the common demands they had with all the Lebanese protesters, the formation of a technocrat government and early elections, participating women had a few additional requests that they communicated loudly and clearly: a law that protects women from sexual and domestic abuse, a law for children custody not related to religious courts and Personal Status Law, and the right of Lebanese women to pass their nationality to their children.

“I am here so that my daughters can grow up in a country where they can walk on the streets without being paranoid. I was a victim of child marriage in this country. and I will protest every day until we have a law that protects our women,” Amal Farha, mother of three daughters, said.

 

Source: https://en.annahar.com/article/1061847-naya-a-protest-for-equal-rights