UK supports study on women's political participation in Lebanon

The Government of United Kingdom supported the launch of a groundbreaking study on women’s political participation in Lebanese political parties at a high-level conference attended by British Ambassador Hamish Cowell and other international and Lebanese officials. The study, conducted by UN Women Lebanon with the UN Special Coordinator’s office, examined women’s roles as members, candidates, and leaders across eight political parties in Lebanon.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s Representative Minister Haneen El Sayed, UN Women Representative Gielan El Messiri, Canadian Ambassador Gregory Galligan, and Lebanese political leaders joined the conference. The research provides the first comprehensive assessment of how women participate in Lebanese party politics and identifies barriers and opportunities for better gender equality. The timing is important as Lebanon prepares for parliamentary elections in May 2026.

Lebanon’s political system has historically been dominated by men, with women facing cultural and structural barriers to participation in party politics. Despite making some gains in recent municipal elections, women remain underrepresented in parliament and party leadership positions. The sectarian political system, combined with traditional attitudes about women’s roles, has made it difficult for female politicians to break through established power structures.

“The UK is proud of its partnership with UN Women to advance women’s representation in politics in Lebanon,” Ambassador Cowell said. “Building on the success of female candidates during the last municipal elections, we hope to see further female representation in the results of the May 2026 parliamentary elections. This conference is an important step towards more inclusive political representation in Lebanon.” The study looked at women’s participation across eight major political parties, examining their roles at different levels and the challenges they face in advancing their political careers.

The research should help political parties understand how to better include women in their structures and decision-making processes ahead of the 2026 elections. The study identifies both obstacles that prevent women from participating fully and opportunities for parties to expand female representation in leadership roles.