The works for shooting a documentary film titled, “Covid 1925” have already started within the scope of the “My citizenship is a right for me and my family” campaign launched in Lebanon. The documentary film, being directed by Lebanese human rights activist Karima Shabou draws attention to the rights violations faced by women living in the country during the Covid-19 pandemic.

CAROLİNE BAZZİ

Beirut- Lebanese human rights activist Karima Shabou has led the campaign called “My citizenship is a right for me and my family” in Lebanon. Since March 2020, Shabou has revealed the rights violations faced by women during the Covid-19 pandemic. Shabou told us they changed the name of the campaign into “Covid 1925 campaign”.  

Measures don’t contain women

Shabou said the measures taken for the Covid-19 pandemic by the government for its citizens don’t contain women while the violence against women is increasing day by day. She stated that women who are not Lebanese citizens, along with their children, have been deprived of the measures taken by the Lebanese state. “The fundamental rights of these people have been ignored. They cannot benefit from many opportunities. For instance, they cannot benefit from their economic, social, and health rights. The lockdowns imposed in the country since March 2020, have revealed many rights violations against women in the country. After April, a law was passed so that business people who stayed in the country could return to their countries. However, this right wasn’t granted to Lebanese women who are married to foreigners.  Most of them traveled to Lebanon for business or family visits but they cannot go to see their husbands and children in other countries.

Two law drafts to ensure gender equality

Shabou talked about what kind of gains the campaign has achieved, “Two law drafts were summited to the parliamentary to ensure gender equality. They should be discussed by the parliament. We are determined to follow them and we will never accept anyone to tell us, ‘not now, it is not the time’. Because our rights are more important than discussions among politicians.”

“Women and men must have equal rights”

Shabou also criticized female politicians to not take care of women’s rights, “The gained women’s rights should be stood by. We will be against all laws limiting women’s rights. Citizenship for the children born in Lebanon and under 18 should be granted. Their rights should be given without questioning the nationality and sect of their fathers. Or this situation will increase discrimination. We will keep struggling until the discrimination between women and men will be completely removed. Women should have the same rights as men.”

Shabou also gave information about their works for the documentary film titled, “Covid 1925”. She told us the theme of the documentary film is the discrimination policies against women.