Gender-Based Violence: Law 293/2014 and the Rights of Women in Lebanon

Abstract:The legal frame for the elimination of all forms of violence against women in line with international human rights standards (Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women: CEDAW) is one of the focal advocacy actions to which KAFA1 is committed. Family violence is the most common form of violence experienced by women in Lebanon and globally. Progress has been achieved in breaking the silence and spreading awareness against abuses, as well as in legislating new protection mechanisms for victims of family violence (Law 293/2014 for example),2 and KAFA’s partnering with state institutions in order to activate and enhance state response to family violence complaints (the internal security forces or police, for example). Nonetheless, there is still a persistent need to work on challenging and changing patriarchal mentalities, structures and laws, and in particular the personal status laws in Lebanon that still put women in a subordinate position to men.3