KAROLÎN BIZÎ

Beirut – As domestic violence has affected both women and children during the Covid-19 pandemic, Maria Samaan, an activist for rights of women and children, has launched the “Role Model in Education” campaign in Beirut to stop the violence and exploitation of children by their families. The aim of the campaign is to include first parents and then babysitters, Maria Samaan said.

A psychological counseling network formed

“We have already launched an awareness campaign on the social media platforms and prepared six short videos having key messages for parents about education. And we have formed a psychological counseling network for the parents to protect their children. This network also includes a national consultancy network,” Maria Samaan told us that the services of the network are paid for the people over 18 years old and free for children and women under the age of 18. Maria Samaan also underlined that the services of the network are available across Lebanon.   

“Booklets have been distributed in some regions”

The women who launched the campaign, have also organized workshops on parenting in Bekaa, Beirut, and the region of Lebanon Mountains. “We have also prepared a booklet including techniques for parents to build a good relationship with each other. These booklets have been distributed in some regions of Lebanon. They can be found not only in bookstores but also in newsagents, pharmacies, beauty shops, and other shops,” Maria Samaan said.

“Our priority work is to prevent violence”

Maria Samaan also talked about the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on women and children, “We carried out a study on a thousand of people and the findings show us that the life at home has turned into a disaster for both parents and children. The people, who have to stay at their home, need help. Prevention of domestic violence and raising awareness of parents are among our priority works.”

Call to parents: Let’s raise a nonviolent generation

“We won’t blame parents but we want to tell them that they need help to raise their children,” Maria Samaan said that parents have to work together to reduce violence against children. Parents resist not receiving consultancy service, Marisa Samaan said, “They applied us to receive consultancy service for their sons not daughters. This surprised us. We have received applications about violence from both rich and poor people. Parents should work together to reduce violence against children. Let’s raise a nonviolent generation.”