Fiftyfiftylb - sisters are doin' it for themselves

So now that Lebanon has a new president and a new prime minister, and no I am not going to go through the hyperboles that everyone is suggesting simply because the road ahead is long and hard in front of them the time has come for the - usually incredibly difficult - task of choosing the ministers with everyone who is anyone in Lebanese political parties wanting to nominate this and that for this and that ministry which creates an equilibrium which is akin to walking on eggshells.

Now, truth be told, with a major political party having suffered a massive retreat (no names, but come on) perhaps, just perhaps, the equation might be a little easier, though no guarantee. Still Fiftyfifty - a feminist organization (here as a positive example, here as a so-so one) - is calling for many potential female candidates (which I assure you are no worse than men considering our current specimens since several decades) to be part of the government (sure some examples are questionable to be honest, I am not naming anyone but some of these females have been accused of police brutality and tainted in corruption folders in the past, so am not sure they merit their place on the list).

Still, it would be lovely to see female representatives in the government, for as I said, their work could be much better than their male counterparts.

Fifty Fifty wants a government in Lebanon which is half female ministers. Yes, but...

Why is it always that I see the flip side of good news. Heck, I was a feminist before it was cool to be so! But here we go. Fifty Fifty which tirelessly fights for the representation of women in the political spheres - sometimes much more effectively in terms of tone of voice than others (compare here to here) has launched a campaign whereby there'd be a government composed of 50% women ministers. 

Do note, I am all for it, and I am sure there are a lot of women worthy of the positions (of which Fifty Fifty found quite a bunch). If you want to find some of their choices please head here.

As usual, I have a "but"....

To soften the blow I'd say "yes, but..."

A lot of these women suggested by Fifty Fifty are already direct descendants of the usual political families (Chamoun, Gemayel, Yafi) or are close - as in very close - to established political figures (Kaskas, Ekmekji). Please note, I am writing this while trying not to throw shade at these women's achievements, talents and political expertise.

But the fact that these women and others (I am trying not to single these women out of the ones mentioned in the Fifty Fifty ad) were suggested leaves me wondering if at any one point we can actually leave the old political nomenclature already established in Lebanon.

But, come to think of it, a female from a certain political family/party in Lebanon at this point, is not capable of doing a worse job that a male member of her family/party.

So heck, I am all for these women!

Fifty Fifty says "let's hit women"

How about that for a smart ad. Fifty Fifty an organization focused on women's right, and who is now talking about the taboo of domestic violence (apparently cases increased by 86% year on year between March 2019 and March 2020 - no idea if these are reported or estimated or actual cases though), by saying outright "let's hit women". Except they want women to be hit with legal rights, equality and a "full protective law for violence against women" (my eternal point of contention - should the law come first or should the mentality be changed?). Still, a provocative and interesting ad. It makes you look and think!