The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, encouraged the debate in Parliament about a quota for women in the upcoming elections, adding in a statement, “Women’s involvement in politics is vital to the existence of a successful and well-functioning democracy, as it guarantees that those elected to positions of leadership represent voters. This debate in the Lebanese Parliament is in keeping with Lebanon’s commitment to implementing Security Council Resolution 1325, as outlined in the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security of 2019-2022.”

“The United Nations encourages efforts to increase the scope of measures particular to women, such as the quota system, and to strengthen the participation of Lebanese women in political life,” Wronecka said, adding that “the women of Lebanon constitute a group of leaders and legitimacy.”

The Special Coordinator emphasized the necessity of the polls being held on time.