We note a number of measures Lebanon took during the pandemic – which included the release of children who were in detention, the strengthening or expansion of social protection systems through cash assistance, and an overall decrease in levels of violence in conflict situations. PA: There is no doubt that Lebanon, like other countries in the world, was affected by the coronavirus pandemic in all aspects of life, including children and its impact on the quality of education, as well as the high level of violence that children were exposed to during that period, as I would like to take a look at the more positive side. Are parliamentarians concerned about the COVID impacts on children, and what programs have been implemented to support them? There was also an issue with high levels of violence experienced by children. IPS: Looking back at the COVID-19 situation, most countries experienced two clear issues, an increase in GBV and its impact on children's education. In addition, we are expanding youth participation in public life by providing them with opportunities for practical training in legislative and oversight institutions, and refining the participants' personal skills by informing them of the decision-making process in the Council. I would like to say that the Youth Committee in the Lebanese Parliament is working on developing a targeted and real strategy that includes advanced programs that are agreed upon by experts and active institutions in this field to consolidate the principles of citizenship, the rule of law and patriotism, and empower the youth politically and economically to achieve their potential and develop and expand their horizons. They are the title of a strong society and its future, stressing that the conscious youth (educated and mindful) armed with science and knowledge are more than capable of facing the challenges of the present and the most prepared to enter the midst of the future. PA: Youth are the pillar of the nation, its present and future, and the means and goal of development. What are parliamentarians doing to assist youth in ensuring that the country can benefit from its demographic dividend? Youth are often impacted by unemployment or low rates of decent employment. IPS: One of your speakers at a recent conference spoke about rapid population growth, youth, and high urbanization rates.
Pierre Bou Assi (PA): Lebanon has launched a project to support protection and prevention systems to prevent gender-based violence within the framework of continuous efforts aimed at responding to social and economic challenges in Lebanon and aims to strengthen prevention and monitoring mechanisms for gender-based violence, and support the efforts made by the Public Security Directorate through the Department Family and juvenile protection.
IPS: What legislation, budgets, and monitoring frameworks are in place or planned for combating GBV in Lebanon?
Here are edited excerpts from the interviews: Pierre Bou Assi, MP from Lebanon IPS was privileged to interview two members of parliament from the region about how they are tackling GBV, youth empowerment, and women's participation in politics, society, and the economy. Across the world, progress toward achieving the SDGs by 2030 was impacted during the pandemic.Īs Dr Samar Haddad, a former member of the Lebanese Parliament and head of the Population Committee at the Bar Association in Lebanon commented at a recent meeting of the Forum of the Arab Parliamentarians for Population and Development (FAPPD): "The main theme for this year is combating gender-based violence, which is a scourge that the entire world suffers from, and its rate has risen alarmingly in light of the economic crisis, bloody stability, wars, and displacement." JOHANNESBURG, Feb 23 (IPS) - The post-COVID-19 period has been a crucial one for members of parliament who have their work cut out to ensure that issues that arose during the pandemic are addressed, especially concerning the ICPD25 commitments and programmes of action for universal access to sexual and reproductive rights, gender-based violence and building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
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