As the month of November approaches, the conversation returns again to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is celebrated on November 25 of each year. This occasion goes back to the horrific historical event of 1960 in the Dominican Republic, where the Mirabal sisters – Patria, Maria Minerva, and Antonia Maria Teresa – were brutally assassinated by the regime of dictator Rafael Trujillo. The sisters, nicknamed “The Butterflies,” were a symbol of resistance against Trujillo’s rule, which lasted 31 years and was marked by brutal repression. They refused to submit and continued their struggle until the very last moment. Their assassination was the spark that ignited the popular revolt, which only months later led to the killing of Trujillo himself.
The story of the Mirabal sisters is not only a tale of struggle against dictatorship, but also a symbolic story of the violence that women have been subjected to worldwide for decades. From 1960 until today, violence against women has not stopped, but has taken new forms and more complex levels—ranging from physical and psychological abuse to so-called “honor” killings. These different forms appear in our Arab societies in a tragic way.
From the 1960 massacre to today’s cries: violence remains the language of dialogue.
In Lebanon, violence against women continues to claim lives, as if they are just new numbers added to the list of victims. Five months ago, the story emerged of the killing of a woman in Miyeh w Miyeh, after she was brutally murdered by her husband, which caused widespread shock. This was not the only case: last year also witnessed the murder of Amira Mughniyeh, whose husband, after years of insulting and abusing her, decided to strangle her to death during divorce proceedings in Australia. These stories repeat as if nothing has changed, as if women in Lebanon, even in the 21st century, remain victims of a culture of violence and impunity.
Shocking Numbers
According to statistics published by the Lebanese organization KAFA, Lebanon witnessed 13 murders of women in the first seven months of this year, representing a notable increase compared to 18 murders in 2023. If this trend continues, the increase could reach 60% by the end of the year, especially when considering other cases of assaults and attempts that remain unrecorded.
Zoya Jreidini, director of KAFA, stated in a report for Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that this phenomenon is increasing due to economic instability and biased laws that reinforce male dominance. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to establish specialized family courts and raise community awareness to ensure these horrifying numbers become a thing of the past.
Lebanon witnessed 13 murders of women in the first seven months of this year, representing a notable increase compared to 18 murders in 2023.
In another report from the National Commission for Lebanese Women, the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces received 56 complaints of physical violence and 17 cases of psychological violence in August of this year alone.
A report issued by SMEX also reveals that 80% of women in Lebanon were subjected to digital violence between 2020 and 2023. This shocking figure not only reflects the scale of the problem, but also exposes a shameful reality: violence against women is no longer confined to the street or the home, but has also become part of their digital lives.
In 2022, 82 individuals were detained on charges of committing cybercrimes against women. However, this number does not reflect the real magnitude of the tragedy, as many women refrain from filing complaints out of fear of scandal or lack of trust in security authorities.
Mrs. Ghida Anani, founder and director of the ABAAD Center, told Silat Wassel: “There is an increase in cases of domestic violence, including physical, psychological, and economic abuse, and cases of sexual harassment in public spaces and workplaces have risen by 20%.” She added: “Studies indicate that 60–70% of women subjected to violence do not file reports, due to social stigma and fear of consequences. Violence rates are also higher in rural and marginalized areas, especially among girls and young women (ages 15–25), reflecting economic and social pressures.”
The impact of the specific conditions in South Lebanon on violence against women
Anani stresses that the particular conditions of South Lebanon—such as security and economic tensions—significantly affect the level of violence against women. The region has witnessed large displacement to other areas, leading to increased cases of violence related to family and community conflicts. The lack of services and support in some villages has further worsened the situation. Although patterns of violence are not very different from other Lebanese regions, there has been a notable increase in reporting of gender-based violence, especially in the context of political and security conflicts.
The specific conditions in South Lebanon, such as security and economic tensions, greatly affect the level of violence against women. The region has witnessed large displacement to other areas, which leads to an increase in cases of violence related to family and community conflicts.
Laws Without Effect: The 2024 Initiatives to Combat Violence in Lebanon
According to a report issued by the Arab Center Washington DC, Reform MPs in Lebanon proposed a new law in March 2024 to combat violence against women. The law was drafted in cooperation with local feminist organizations and based on international conventions. It seeks to eliminate legal discrimination and close the loopholes that have long allowed so-called “honor” crimes and marital rape, in addition to establishing specialized courts and shelters to provide protection for women. Despite these promising initiatives, deeply rooted sectarianism remains the greatest obstacle to achieving any real progress.
According to a report issued by the Arab Center Washington DC, Reform MPs in Lebanon proposed a new law in March 2024 to combat violence against women. The law was drafted in cooperation with local feminist organizations and based on international conventions. It seeks to eliminate legal discrimination and close the loopholes that have long allowed so-called “honor” crimes and marital rape, in addition to establishing specialized courts and shelters to provide protection for women. Despite these promising initiatives, deeply rooted sectarianism remains the greatest obstacle to achieving any real progress.
The report indicates that Lebanon’s political system is still captive to sectarianism, where religious leaders control decisions related to personal and family laws, such as marriage, divorce, and custody. And because these leaders enjoy wide political support, they form a solid barrier against any reform that threatens their authority or challenges the traditional laws of each sect. Consequently, the laws aimed at improving the status of women become nothing more than texts on paper, buried under the weight of sectarian calculations that prioritize protecting the system over protecting women’s rights. Thus, the new 2024 draft law remains stuck in the cycle of the sectarian system that thwarts any attempt to change the reality of women in Lebanon.
From Ownership to Domination: Violence Against Women in Lebanon Between Social Heritage and Absent Laws
Violence against women cannot be separated from the deeply rooted social and cultural context in Lebanon, which reinforces male dominance. The numbers confirm the shocking reality, but behind these numbers lie old beliefs that are difficult to uproot.
Social researcher Mai Maroun told Silat Wassel: “For a long time, men have considered women as their property, under their guardianship. And although the perception has changed somewhat, the idea still exists in society’s mind that a man is responsible for his partner’s behavior, as reflected in phrases like ‘he can’t control his wife.’ Because he sees her as his possession, when the woman steps outside this framework, she is subjected to violence.”
She added: “The law does not protect women adequately in Lebanon, and when a woman files a complaint, she is asked questions such as ‘Did you raise your voice at him?’ or ‘What did you do that made him hit you?’ Even families use phrases like ‘never mind’ and ‘be patient,’ which imply that society condones the violence. Social conditions and religious beliefs also contribute to the rise of this phenomenon, as the idea is passed down to children from an early age. For example, when a male inherits twice the share of a female, it gives him a greater sense of authority, which fuels control and violence.”
Maroun affirms that these words illustrate that violence against women does not only stem from the absence of legal protection or effective security measures, but is rooted in a social fabric that nourishes discrimination and reduces women to mere “property” of men, justifying the use of violence as a tool of control.
She added: “We can understand that true change does not begin only with reforming laws and applying them, but with breaking these beliefs that are passed down through generations, and reshaping societal concepts about the role and status of women. If a man is still seen as a guardian over a woman, then how effective can the law really be in protecting her?”
Violence against women does not only stem from the absence of legal protection or effective security measures, but is rooted in a social fabric that nourishes discrimination and reduces women to mere “property” of men, justifying the use of violence as a tool of control.
Mrs. Anani agrees that there are several social and legal barriers that prevent reporting sexual violence in 2024. Among these obstacles are the social stigma that prevents many women from reporting, in addition to their lack of trust in obtaining a serious outcome or punishment. The slowness in implementing and applying laws, and the lack of awareness among some women of their rights or of the required reporting procedures, can also form a major barrier. The matter may require specialized legal consultation, which can be costly or unavailable. Another major problem is the lack of effective protection for women after reporting, as they may face the risk of retaliation from perpetrators or their families, which increases their hesitation to report for fear of worsening the situation.
