The Quota for Women is a Very Lebanese Idea

The Lebanese cabinet was busy discussing reforms to the electoral law yesterday. For this we should credit the heroic efforts of the civil campaign for electoral reforms which has been diligently pushing this important issue. The discussions will resume later and the next item on their list will be the “quota for women”, i.e. the idea that a minimum percentage of Lebanese MPs should be comprised of women. I like this idea; I’m glad that it is picking up in the Arab world and I hope it makes it in Lebanon.

The principle of a quota for women has its supporters and its opponents, and not all the opponents are close-minded bigots. Some oppose the quota on the grounds that it reduces MPs to their genders and overlooks their qualifications. Some are afraid that male leaders would include token yes-women with low IQs and high silicone on their lists to fulfil the quota. It’s a very interesting debate that is being held all over the world, but there’s an argument to be made for it that is specifically Lebanese.

All quotas are born equal

In post-Taef Lebanon, the principle of quotas is a big part of our political culture. If you support the 50/50 division of Christians and Muslims in parliament and public jobs, you automatically classify as someone who supports quotas. It sounds like a basic idea but you will be surprised at how many people will use democracy and fairness as the reason why they oppose a quota for women. Those same people would never let go of the quotas for sects in the government and security forces.

Recently, the March 14 movement has been loudly defending the principle of mounsafa in parliament (50% Christians / 50% Muslims). They warn of an insidious encroachment of a Hezbollah-lead muthalatha (1/3 Christians, 1/3 Sunnis, 1/3 Shiaas). Did you notice how casually we speak quota in our daily politics?

The quota for women might not become law in the end of the day, but don’t let anyone convince you that it’s because Lebanon is a meritocratic heaven.