U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Comments on Women's Parliament Quota

The U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka said Tuesday that she encourages “the discussion in Parliament of a gender quota in the upcoming elections.”

“Women’s representation in politics is critical for an effective and well-functioning democracy, and ensures that those in elected leadership are more representative of the people they serve. The discussion of a gender quota in the Lebanese Parliament is in line with Lebanon’s commitment to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, as articulated in the 2019-2022 National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security,” she said in a statement.

“The women of Lebanon represent a pool of leadership and legitimacy. The United Nations welcomes efforts to expand special measures for women, such as quotas, and to support Lebanese women’s participation in political life,” she added.

The Special Coordinator also reiterated the importance of holding the elections on time.

Parliament had earlier in the day approved several amendments to the electoral law as it referred a draft law on a women’s quota to the parliamentary committee for further deliberations.