Finalist in WLP’s Youth Essay Contest Group 1: 14-18 Years
Riad Hamadeh, Lebanon
Can you imagine a world where women are given equal rights as men? It is, and has always been, very hard for me to see the world in a different way. Women all over the world are not given their rights, and many non-governmental organizations are working hard in order to create equality between man and woman. In Lebanon, women have active roles in education and in the economy. Half of all the university students are women. Women’s education is very beneficial for them; it allows them to be active in the economy and to find opportunities in medicine, law, academia, the arts, and business. Unfortunately, few women have achieved senior positions in their field. Although the Lebanese constitution gives equal rights to men and women, and although women have a fairly good participation in many fields, they continue to be excluded from political institutions and from decision-making. This exclusion is due to many factors which can be improved if proper measures are taken.
Thunderstorm over Beirut (cc) akhater
Discrimination against woman has many grounds in Lebanon. First, discrimination is mainly socially based. Family values do not encourage women to participate in the public field; parents do not raise girls with the idea that they will be politicians. Many times, religious beliefs and practices give the woman a role of a subordinate which aggravates the situation. Second, discrimination against women is evident in the national curricula and in educational practices. For example, women are frequently given the roles of mothers, housekeepers, wives and possibly teachers or nurses. They are never presented as presidents, ministers or high officials. On another hand, leaders of political parties generally shy away from nominating women as part of their electoral lists. At the same time, there is no law in Lebanon that reserves for women a certain number of seats in the parliament or the cabinet of ministers, or that forces political parties to nominate women. In 2004, for the first time in Lebanon’s history, two women were appointed as ministers in a the Lebanese cabinet. Only four members of the 128-seat parliament, elected in 2009, are women. So, the role of women in public life is still very weak.
Discrimination against women can be erased if proper measures are taken on all levels. It is important to change the way society perceives women, so we need to revise school curricula to make sure that they focus on successful women and that they show that women can have an active role in public life. Women can be portrayed as ministers, deputies, ambassadors and special attention is given to those women who have succeeded in Lebanon or elsewhere in the world. Moreover, a very big campaign should be launched to raise awareness among and change the dominant mentality about the role of women and the importance of their participation in decision-making and in politics. This campaign can be done through TV and Radio programs, NGOs and all other possible means. At the same time, it is very important to convince the government and the parliament to pass a law that reserves a certain number of seats for women both in the parliament and in the cabinet and that forces public and private institutions to do the same. These measures might not erase discrimination but they will definitely improve the situation of women in my country.
In conclusion, although the laws give equal rights to men and women to practice politics, reality shows that there is discrimination against women in this respect due to many factors. This however, can be improved since Lebanese women, in general, receive good education and participate actively in the economy. I really look forward to see a woman elected as president of the republic. The Lebanese government and the people should join their hands to reach this goal, hoping for a world where all types of discrimination disappear!
Finalist in WLP’s Youth Essay Contest Group 1: 14-18 Years
Riad H, Lebanon
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February 19th, 2010 at 11:28 am
I agree with the author of this essay. Unequal structures need to change, but more importantly, so do the views and beliefs people have about women and that women have about themselves. Young people are open minded and hungry for a more just and equal world. This is why they are our best hope for change.
February 20th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
This is a very good! I agree with you. You have some great ideas.
February 20th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
I am a Lebaneese citizen and I’m aware of this issue which we have been fighting for. Riad in his essay explains very clearly the leadership problem we have in Lebanon adding to it many examples. The solutions he proposes are very intresting and logic and they should be proposed to the government. Congratulations Riad, we are all supporting you and the country! This article is the best I’ve read so far!
February 20th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
It is intresting to note Riad’s awarness about the laws in Lebanon when it comes to women. It is true that having a woman as a leader is not always on Lebaneese’s minds. The article impressed me on all levels, good job!
February 20th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I am very impressed by Riad’s ability to clarify the situation in Lebanon! The solutions he suggested are in a very matured way! Riad respects the exact form of an essay, and talks about all the important things he should talk about under this topic. This article really impressed me! We are all here to support you! Bravo!
February 20th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Riad’s essay impressed me. The way he points out all the problems concerning this topic in a 4 paragraph essay is really interesting. Woman’s discrimination is a big issue in Lebanon that everyone is working on today, I hope one day we will not only imagine, but also see the world in a different way! This article helped me understand deeply some issues I was searching about! Bravo!
February 20th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Thanks for the comments :) It is very true Siobhan, I hope that my generation and I will make a lot of changes on all levels including the woman rights’ issues! Thanks Reem, and Sarah too !
February 21st, 2010 at 2:36 am
Riad, I am impressed. I didn’t know you know and/or are interested in all the above. Still, there are trillions of things to discuss on the matter. We should down and talk. Maybe next week. Best of luck for this.:)
February 21st, 2010 at 2:41 am
A clear, well argued, and articulate essay, supported with concrete examples and providing pragmatic solutions. Well done, Riad.
February 21st, 2010 at 4:57 am
I appreciate the number of solutions that you have thought about. I am very impressed by your astute understanding of the issues and the constructive vision that you have. We all look forward to the changes you advocate!!!
February 21st, 2010 at 7:08 am
The way Riad states the problems is very clear and organized. It’s really impressive. I have nothing else to comment on. I hope this essay will be read by many people so there would finally be a change! Thanks Riad!
February 21st, 2010 at 10:44 am
This is very well-stted too! Congratulations!
It’s clear that the author of the essay is very aware about the problems in his country concerning woman’s rights! Keep on working in order to make a better world! This article is the best! Well-done!
February 21st, 2010 at 11:27 am
Bravo Riad I’m proud of you, it’s an excellent essay by all means: form, content… I was really impressed by the examples, facts, solutions… that you have mentioned in your essay.
I’m sure things are going to change positively since we have among the new generation people like you: open minded, educated, active, and enthusiastic….
Keep it up
February 21st, 2010 at 11:33 am
Wow Its amazing Riad ! You are the best !
February 21st, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Thanks Farah! I was informed by my English teacher about this competition, so I decided to participate and write something. I did many researches to get the information and leaned a lot about the topic. Thank you Mrs. Mourani and Mrs. Itani for your support to this cause. Mrs. Dallal, I’m also looking forward for many changes about this topic.
February 21st, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Riad, this is an amazing essay! I’m really impressed by your English vocabulary and style of writing! You are 100% right about what you said concerning the Lebanese woman! This essay describes exactly the situation in our country, and shows the big quantity of researches done. It’s fantastic how you stood up for the other gender! Keep it up! Thanks for your article!
February 21st, 2010 at 1:08 pm
If more people your age see it the way you do, then by all means few years down the road discrimination against women in our country will not be an issue anymore!
Hope you are spreading an epidemic.
February 21st, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Riad’s essay was blatantly successful in highlighting one of the main difficulties that women face in Lebanon till the present day. I hope that women can be able to unite, change, and greatly improve their present situations. Women have come so far from their standings in fifty years; they would be able to fight one more battle to reach their necessary goals. Proper education can obviously change many women by making them more intrested and full of zest in their contry’s politics and economical staning. Maybe the future generation of women can finally take the tough matters into their own hands and equality can be achieved!
February 21st, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Riad, your essay touches on one of the most delicate issues concerning women’s rights in Lebanon. Since our country’s independance in 1943, men have argued that the constitution protects equal rights for men and women, and that if women don’t make it to the top, it is their doing. Well, the way you linked this to women’s education, bringing up, and dominant religeous beliefs is really impressive. Your suggested solutions are essential to build a civic society and ease the path for women to become leaders! Bravo.
February 21st, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Wow riad im impressed ! its amazingg. gd luck :)
February 21st, 2010 at 3:16 pm
First of all I’d like to say that your essay is very honest and true, but I think you should try a different approach to this issue to make it more convincingfor that, try to compare the issue of Women’s rights in Lebanon which are mainly strict to womens rights in the western world like Europe or America where women’s rights are mostly equal to men’s rights. Maybe this comparison will make the issue more clear. Other than that Bravo! Very well-written essay!
February 21st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
It is wonderful that a young man has taken interest in issues related to women’s rights in Lebanon. This is given us hope in the young generation and in the awareness of young men that inequality is harmful to all sectors of society. I hope that Riad’s essay will inspire his colleagues to take interest and become active in women and human rights in Lebanon.
February 21st, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Couldn’t be said better. I hope you win, you deserve it! Good luck :)
February 21st, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Very well put and argued. Women in Lebanon have access to education and therefore great potentials – however conservative values prevent them from engaging in leadership roles. I like the way you made your argument Riad – simple, concise and clear. Good luck !
February 21st, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Riad, i like your approach to the subject, you expressed yourself concerning this matter as if it was a personal wish but at the same time you are being objective about, giving support to your argument. It feels like you want to elaborate more but the keeping it concise made it clear. You clarified the problems, suggested a solution, wrapped up your subject.
It is true that you have mentioned in a way religion and traditions as barriers. But i think it might be also because women themselves have surrendered to this idea, underestimating their capabilities. Unconsciously they practice whatever is said to be their job. Sometimes the laws are not the only barriers, even if women are fighting for their matter. It seems like we have some exceptions among Lebanese women, yes, yet the rest of them are surely fighting for their rights but not so much for their engagement in politics. Is it their lack of interest in politics?
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:18 am
Excellent essay Riad! Coherent and well supported.
With young people like you, women in Lebanon will certainly obtain their rights! We are all proud of you.
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:50 am
Bravo Riad. I am so proud of you. Your understanding of the problems, the examples you gave and the solutions suggested show a great deal of maturity, depth and critical thinking. With people like you, I am hoping the future will be a better place for future generations.
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:43 am
Riad, your essay is really touching…mainly in this moment where the Lebanese goverment is studying the law to have maximum 20% of the persons elected in the municipalities in Lebanon to be women. May be they have to read your article before taking the decision. Why to limit the percentage of women elected to maximum 20%????
Riad, with people thinking objectively as you and convinced of what he is writing…. People in Lebanon will believe that women are LEADERS.
BRAVO Riad!!!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:09 am
Well written essay, with historical facts and clear arguments. Congratulations young man!
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:10 am
The statement you mentioned Riad in your article “Discrimination against women can be erased if proper measures are taken on all levels” is a good start for you all young to the make the needed change and being so creative you could reach with good commitments this Human goal.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:33 am
Riad, I am impressed by the way you think. If more women think this way the world would be different already. I think more women need to start knowing in their hearts that they are equal to men before we ask of men to view us differently. Thank you for thinking the way you do.
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:15 am
Great essay Riad. I hope we can make a difference sometime in the future.
Take care…
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:21 am
Bravo Riad. I am so proud of you! A great essay that shows a lot of maturity and depth in thought. You have a very good grasp of the problem and offer insight to practical and feasible solutions. With people like you, I am hopeful for a better future.
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:13 am
I really like the description of the facts as well as the presentation of the ideas, not to mention that the concepts you are defending are indeed very noble. Very good text, congratulations!
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 am
This essay is REALLY well written. Everything is clear. I really liked the way you see woman in Lebanon. You deserve to win!!! Good luck.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:05 am
Riad, I really enjoyed reading your essay. I loved the way you wrote it it’s really great. I’m really glad we’re both fighting for the gender equality in our beloved country Lebanon. C u soon ;) <3
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:11 am
It is a very important topic that is being shed light upon here. This is a relevant topic not only for Lebanon but also for “Western” societies like Austria (where I am located), where women are still not fully equal to men as regards salary and career possibilities. Whereas the latter can partly be explained with the “fear” of employers that women up to a certain age will eventually ask for a maternity leave, differences in remuneration can not be justified.
The article very well identifies the reasons why women in Lebanon are still very often treated like 2nd class humans. But what makes this essay a must read for everybody – also outside of Lebanon – is the fact that it suggests ways of how to end the discrimination.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:16 am
Bravo Riad! We are so proud of you! Its it a good presentation of the problem! and you are offerring different practical solutions. Bravo again! Wish you the Best!
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:33 am
What Riad is telling us, about the stolen role of the Lebanese woman in the socio-political life, is interesting . I feel proud of this young man who appears to be very well acquainted with the Lebanese laws. I want to say one thing.. no one can stand in the way of any woman who is determined to play her full role in life. women should be more self-confident and willing to fight m ore fiercely for their rights… and we need not to forget that the Lebanese society is not closed anymore, for the education of females has overspread widely in the last decade.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:36 am
Great essay. I think he’s right that educating both men and women, and starting at a young age, is the key to helping erase discrimination and patriarchal systems. Well done.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:38 am
This is a very inspiring essay and you had some great solutions.
This is a great essay… and i hope you win :)
Great Job
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:01 am
Bravo Riad. Impressive essay.
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:08 am
Great job!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:11 am
Interesting, you write very well! You have some great ideas and good solutions and you know how to express ur self. IC is very proud of you.
I hope you win, Great Job
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:15 am
I am very impressed by this essay . I am also so happy that you are showing the world what an IC student is capable of . This really should be sent to the government . You stood up for the other gender which is really impressive . This essay explains problems and solutions perfectly . Good luck .
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:21 am
Wow Riad, this text is very good ! It clearly shows what problems women here in Lebanon face, but have learned to turn their backs to. This is something everyone should be aware of. Thank you for making a difference !
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:38 am
This essay is the best I’ve read so far. It is clear that Riad is perfectly aware of the problem in his country although it concerns the opposite sex. “Lebanese government and the people should join their hands to reach this goal, hoping for a world where all types of discrimination disappear!”, this is very true. The proposed solutions are very clear and could be done in our country. I hope that one day we will have a woman as a president in Lebanon, thanks to the support of all the people like this author. It’s extreemly intresting how he relates education to discrimination and patriarchal systems. In his age, it must not be so easy to clarify. Excellent job! Good luck, I hope we’ll have more people like you!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:39 am
It’s amazing! You are inspiring all the Lebanese to think the way you are.
You have a great point of view and i’ve learned so much reading this essay!
Great Job :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:41 am
hello, my name is ramzi ramadan
i would like to say that your essay was quite thrilling. i loved how you used such a wonderful strategy for your description. i do hope indeed that your essay will be chosen.
thank you,
ramzi
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:41 am
interesting article… as a lebanese woman, a political science student and a student abroad i do see things in a slightly different way… Lebanon has been in years of war, thus years behind the rest of the world. new generations are trying to fast forward the wasted years to become equal to other countries as well as showcase their individuality. i do want to be able to run for the cabinet one day, however it takes more thn the younger generation to show their interest and passion in equality. it takes some fundamental changes from within. its easy to talk the talk, but how many will actually walk the walk?
keep in mind it is a patriarchal society in an islamic sea…if majority want to change you are going to have issues with the uneducated, the “neighbors” and the old fashioned…
i do wish you the best of luck with your essay and in life
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
Very very intresting. It is true that woman in our country are not given those roles. When someone asks you: are women fairly treated in your country? You tend to say yes because you are unaware about the issues women are facing. This essay made me understand what do people mean by ‘womans’ rights’! Excellent solutions are also proposed! it is very important to look out in this topic and try to use the amazing solutions to actually solve the problem! Looking forward to a better world, that’s what I would like to hear people, like Riad, saying now! bravo!
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
Great article riad. im sure all lebanese women are proud of you for defending their rights. I wish your solutions will be taken into consideration :)
Best of luck bro
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:44 am
i really liked you’re essay Riad , you presented the political problems that women face these days, it was a very honest essay. But you concentrated the whole essay on politics, you had already written about their other problems like how the’re families make them less ambitious and this matter :”For example, women are frequently given the roles of mothers, housekeepers, wives and possibly teachers or nurses.” It would have been nice if you had addressed these issues.. but in all it was a great essay
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:55 am
Riad your essay explains very well women’s writes here in lebanon, i enjoyed reading it and learned more about women’s right in our country.
congratulations for ariving tot his point of the competition.
I hope you win because it is an amazing essay !
Great job !
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
wow, this is really well written, it’s a great and the ideas are clear… great job riad! :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Really good essay, i actually read it all! i found it really interesting:) well done:)
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Juliette Bikhazi says
Excellent article Ryad.You are very logical,you have great ideas.I love what you wrote.
Ryad, i wish you the best.
Congralutations from all my heart to an ambitious young man..
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:28 pm
It’s a very interesting article Riad .:)
Best of luck !!
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:29 pm
I am proud of you Riad. You’ve always been a special student, well-organized and well-rounded. You could be easily working on improving women’s status in Lebanon. Best of luck
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:32 pm
*thumbs up*
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:44 pm
This article that you wrote is really amazing…I liked the way you used descriptions and examples to defend women’s rights.
Best of luck
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
this is the ideal situation but unfortunatly it can not be implemented in Lebanon unless we change the politicians team which is controling the country, other wise “insseh” il mawdou3 wirati bi libnen. on other hand i beleive that women must benefit from the opportunity that most of the guys are working out side specially the good elements, & if they didn’t make it soon they will follow us ;) so good luck & good job for Riad
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:59 pm
This is the best essay i have ever read in my life!! It’s amazing and it really inspired me, and my role as a woman in this community
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Wow!!!It is a great article.Your ideas are very logical and true.I wish you good luck.
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I am really amazed at the author’s perception on women rights in Lebanon especially being a male. Being a women who was brought up in Lebanon, I can easily associate with his views about the up bringing and the society itself. I think that this is an important step that Riad Hamadeh has taken towards us women in Lebanon and in turn to all women in the middle east. His article has raised many points that are crucial to the women’s future status and evolution in society, of which one of them is actually being adopted as we speak.
I am really thankful for the author of this article that has marked me and opened a window of hope and opportunity for many.
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I really enjoyed reading this essay.The problems and solutions are very clarified. I hope that this could make a change with the women’s rights in Lebanon.
Good Luck :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I swear Riad this is nearly perfect :) and all of what you wrote is a 100% true! I wish u the best :)
Congratulations!
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I really enjoyed reading this essay. The problems and solutions are very clarified. I hope this could change the woman’s right in Lebanon and around the world.
Good luck .. :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Wow! Very nice :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Great essay Riad! I’m impressed! good luck
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:50 pm
A great and well written essay that truly describes the current status of women in Lebanon. I am proud of your thoughts and vision. It is a great relief that Lebanon’s future lies in such minds like yours. I wish you all the best for the future:)
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Your essay is great! I hope what you wrote will open some people’s eyes to start treating woman as they should be treaten.
Hope you the best (:
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Riad, the essay is really well written . I love the way you wirte . I agree with your ideas .
Congratulations and good luck !
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Your essay is a wonderful insight to women’s status in Lebanon.
It was a pleasure to read and to see how knowledgable you are about the discrimination against women and how weakly they are represented here in Lebanon.
I hope your essay reaches many more people and opens their eyes and minds to the reality of women in Lebanon and urges them to act.
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:03 pm
An eye-opener to women’s rights
Great job
Keep it up
wish you the best
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
It is great to see that women’s rights are not only fought for by women but also by some men…this essay is truly the best that i have read about the topic
good luck!
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
great essay
u bring pride to Lebanon with your bright, deep and thoughtful ideas.
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:23 pm
very interresting essay Riad! i like your ideas
i hope you win the competition
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Your essay Riad is well written and well clarified. You could have just added a little more examples to prove your statements regarding why women arent treated evenly like men. Despite that, i felicitate you for this decent essay
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Great essay Riad! Congratulation, hope you win!
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Nice work Riad
I was really impressed . Good luck !
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Loved it ! It is really amazing.
Good luck.
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:25 pm
very impressing… great essay!
Thank you for your support to fight for women right
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Nice job highlighting both the history, the current issues, and measures to help change the situation. Great work!
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Great ideas! Thanks for the support! Keep it up!
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Very interesting article!
keep it up and good luck:)
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Good mastery of the subject matter. The article is very well written. Good luck Riad. Keep it up.
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:19 am
AMAzing :):D congrats!!!its good that you acomplished u’r goal :D
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:22 am
nice essay
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:22 am
very nice essay, deserves to win.
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:24 am
This was a very interesting subject and onto the point. I hope many people would support this. Keep it up!
Good Luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:24 am
Your essay is really great and i think you desserve to win theprize and i will start considering what you said in your essay.
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:27 am
Well written and interesting! Best of luck!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:40 am
Riad! Mentioning the role of education and media in raising awareness is an essential factor!So,I really hope that you have just planted a seed that will grow and develop numerous branches in our Lebanese garden!Your generation is our hope! Great work!
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:19 am
Million times BRAVO Riad, young men like you will surely make a difference in woman’s rights movements all over the world. You, not only stated the real causes of the problem, but also you provided reasonable solutions.You, and people like you who are able to influence the thoughts of others who may not be aware of the serious social and economic issue resulting from the preset idea that women can not be equal to men in rights and duties. Women whp raised the biggest leaders of the world , can surely be leaders themselves if given the chance and if brought up to believe that they can and would be.
So proud to have you Riad a young Lebanese man who is nominated to be the finalist in this valued competition.I am sure that we, women, can depend on people like you to bring change to our communities all over the world.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:20 am
I can easily say that this is the first time that someone managed to address the real discrimination factor against women in this smooth yet straight forward way, Congratulations to the author, the objectivity of the subject is in every single details he has mentioned, in every single aspect of the issue.
We are proud to know that there is still people who really probe before they criticize.
Excellent article Riad, a good mastery of the subject indeed.
I wish you all the best in your path; Keep us posted whenever you release articles no matter what the subject was, we are sure your objectivity will get us excited and to get interested in a subject that we usually used to discard or consider not important.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:11 am
Great article indeed!
Riad your ideas about the role a Lebanese Woman can play are really wonderful. It is very promising to see that the future generation has these thougths and beliefs.
Your writing is smooth and deep, but at the same time reflects thourough search and love to the cause you are writing for.
It feels great to know that a young man like you believes in Women’s Rights.
Please keep it up, you are an empowerment to the young!
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:18 am
BRAVOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RIAD…Verry intressting essay:) GO Go GOOOOOOOO
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:28 am
Very interesting and true article. Kept me interested till the very end. As a Lebanese female citizen I see that the reasons and solutions that the writer has given could help solve a good part of the problem women face in our society today.
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:51 am
I’m so proud of u, Riad and I’m glad you are my friend’s daughter!!!!
My heart missed a beat when I read your article habibi and I felt that if all the children your age think and express themselves as skillfully and ardently as you did then the world is in a better place!
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:53 am
You have great ideas Riad, the topic is very interresting and the article is very well written :) Good luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:00 am
I always beleived that you will make a difference. I am proud to witness it. I am confident that you and students like you will make a change. That’s the IC spirit. That’s the Riad I know.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:22 am
ummmm Riad this essay is really good and i really like the subject .. The article is really good :D and i love it :D keep it up :D tc
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:29 am
It is very good that , finally , someone is recognizing the issue in hand not only in Lebanon but all over the world. It is important that people finally are aware that women can be as successful , if not more , than men in all fields , particularly politics. From this well written essay, I have been more convinced and informed of the point you have made. This article inspired me as I’m sure it did others , that as a woman I have an important role in society , to make a difference. :) good luck !! :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 am
Great job, your eassay correctly shows theproblems that women in lebanon face dailt. Hopefully, one day we will be able to see past sex and race and solve all of our problems.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:34 am
Great essay. It’s very interesting to read.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:36 am
Congratulations, I’m very happy that you are on of the top five. Your essay is amazing and very well written. I agree full with the part that families and societies affect and limit the way women think about their role in life. I’m really glad you are one of the winners and I’m even gladder that you’re in my school :D
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:37 am
you are a great writer, i like your ideas, it is all very well written and you deserve to win :) best wishes and good luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:37 am
I think that you explained it very well. And you elaborated really well, showing your point really clearly! You deserve a round of applause!
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:38 am
well actually it would be nice to have a WORLD where men and women are given equal rights and respect. your essay has made a point and is nicely structured i hope that this will happen someday
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:38 am
The essay is very well written and clear. This essay is also interesting. good luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:40 am
Your essay has inspired me…i think u are 100% right that women mustttt have equal rights as men.I hope everybody starts thinking the way u do. I also hope you win…you desearve it<3 <3goodluck<3 xx
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:42 am
very well written i like your ideas:) you are a great writer, keep it up, you deserve to win. good luck :D
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:10 am
Not everyone has come to appreciate the value of women and how much women can bring to society. Sometimes, men can be capable of more in a certain field but, as you have stated, it can’t be a quincidence that men have been so much more successful in policitcs that there is no more room for women. This article has very much inspired me to soon make a difference in the world. Good luck !! :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:10 am
Well Done This Article Has Probably Inspired All Of man Who Disrespect Girls And not only disrespect them ! but they dont share the same rights ! now whats nice that finally someone bright as Riad expresses this idea of rights in a detalied and well presented way ! the way he describes it all makes us care more and more about what’s happening around us thank youu for what you have written ! Keep It Up And People Would Finally Be Wise Enough To Respect Their Women Love them Sherish Them And Respect Them Do NOT Disrespect or do anything bad to harm them !
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:20 am
It is interesting to know Riad’s knowledge and awareness about the rights of ladies and women. I am impressed to see Riad’s ability to clarify the situation in Lebanon! The solutions he suggested are in a very matured and right way!He is right in all point of views and perspectives in looking at rights of women. I wish people can read it and apply the right methods so we can have a better society, environment,country, and universe. The more we read this the more we think of the wrong things people are doing and that is ruining poeple from enjoying life as is. Eventhough this essay is about women but same rules and advices are applied simultaneously to men also. Riad should be an inspiration to many poeple. well he is mine. Riad now reflects Lebanon’s opinion in looking at the rights of women. It is great that Riad showed and proved that Lebanese aren’t terrorists and uneducated people but they are people that are devoted to success and peace, always want the best for the country and universe. Keep on the good effort and job with defending the rights of others.
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:23 am
I’m really impressed Riad! Great job. Good luck!
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:26 am
Although the law allow both men and women to practice politics with equal rights, people do not elect women, and i thing this is the major problem, the problem is that people do not gather and unite to get their needs, they just omplain about electing and stuff, and don’t work hard to achieve their goals. so the problem that should be solved is that people all around lebanon should unite and talk with one voice, and i think this article should be seen by most lebanese to think again and reconsider many things in order to get their needs.
Anyway, nice article and a very good subject and problem that we face in lebanon!
Thank you :D
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:28 am
Great article Riad. Your development and understanding of the problem and the given solutions show a great deal of knowledge, depth and critical thinking. You tackled a big issue that is important not only to women in our society but for women all over the world.
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:30 am
you are very mature Riad your’r essay is very interransting and now i’m informed of the injustice of women in lebanon,and how serious the matter is and i think it isn’t that hard to solve
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:52 am
A very inspiring essay! very well written with clear thoughts
good luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:20 am
Exceedingly well written and concise essay – shows author’s good understanding of the issues and presents simple and practical solutions which can, and hopefully will, be implemented in the near-term. Good work Riad!
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:58 am
gr8 riad…… its a great article and you have awsome ideas!!!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:18 am
Great ideas and well written essay.Proud to have a student like you at our school. Good luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:21 am
What an impressive essay, it really triggers our thoughts and concern. The saying says, behind every great man there is a women, and women who brought up great men in history, can also be great woman at any time. Women are half the society, so if you grant them their rights, they will surprise the world of men. Although I do not believe that anyone should be granting their rights, they should strive to get them no matter what. Bravo Riad.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:24 am
I read your impressive essay, it is great and full of sense and logic. I totally agree with your ideas and hope you will be able to get somewhere with this attempt.
Bon courage. You are great.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:27 am
Great ideas and a very important subject. You have been very creative in suggesting solutions. Your ideas are really realistic and can be applied. You are a real leader Riad and deserve the best.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:27 am
This is a great essay Riad!It is very well written and every statement included in it is true.Im glad that other people are also interested in women’s rights. good luck :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:35 am
Riad I am really impressed with your work.This essay is interesting to read.You have great ideas! Hope you win:)
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:43 am
This essay, dear Riad, is a typical example of your scientific and well structured mind. what I appreciated most is that you are among the few who expose a problem and provide solutions. you are right it is not enough to criticize or to observe. It is really important to find an alternative to the prevailing situation. good luck young man.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:00 am
loved it :)
good luck riad :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:35 am
Great articulation and presentation, Riad. Your thoughts, supported with concrete examples, flow fluently to show the polarity that women face in our country between the available education, and the lack of possibilities to put them into practice.
I also liked the picture you selected – where thunder and lightening are striking Beirut – as if to bring awareness to all those living in those homes – lots of knowledgeable and cultured women who can make a difference if their full rights are exercised.
Thanks again for an insightful article.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:40 am
I like ur essay. Lebanon needs people like you..
Good Luck :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:01 am
Riad, very well supported essay. All you facts are absolutely true and it is a real shame to have these circumstances in lebanon. Good Luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:03 am
nice! hope it will help
good luck :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:14 am
Lebanese women. They can do anything and everything. They are highly educated, intelligent, intellectual, aesthetic, self-sufficient and dependable. They work, provide for their families, and try their best to maintain an active social life. We can do everything. We can go to work, accomplish ourselves which 8 months pregnant. Come home with office work and do the cleaning. I can’t but be amazed and proud at how far we have gone and how much we have accomplished. And i can’t but thank the writer of this article for bringing this to light.
I am so proud of being a woman. I think we have achieved a great deal in the last twenty years or so. if you’re female, you rule!
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:25 am
This is the best essay i have ever read in my life!! It’s amazing it’s interested to read. you are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:30 am
This is an amazing essay, this really expresses the atrocious situation in which women in, not only Lebanon but in the arab world live. I’m really beyond impressed and I hope this can be the change we’re ALL waiting for.
Best regards,
Aliya El husseini
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:42 am
Very interesting and well supported essay Riad.. Hope you will make a difference one day and remove all this discrimination and promise Lebanese women a better professional future.. Wish you the best of luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:48 am
Amazing essay Riad ….The examples that you gave are so true and evident in the Lebanese Society
Wish you best of luck and hope that this essay triggers the Lebanese Women’s Revolution :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:57 am
Nice work Riad its a great essay i hope you win !
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I would like to thank Riad for his expressive essay that really shows the atrocious situation in which women -not only in lebanon but in the arab world too- live! This is really an amazing essay that we All hope to be the change we hope to see in our society.
Best regards,
Aliya El Husseini.
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:10 pm
wow !
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:11 pm
nice one dude
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
good job !!!! its good i like it !!!! good luck !!! :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:18 pm
congrats riad it’s a very beautiful point of view
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:21 pm
this essay is really impressive
i hope you win
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Excellent article.Wishing you all the best.Your essay is very clear with very staight forward solutions,and with people like you,a great deal can be done to put an end to women discrimination.
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:33 pm
i am completly with riads ideas i found that he found very reasnable solutions to the problem in this country and all over the world i WISH and i KNOW that u will succed in this competion and i encourage you completly.
I THINK YOURE THE KIND OF PERSON WHO WOULD CHANGE THE WOMANS RIGHTS IN LEBANON
bravoooooooo riad you are great !!!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:34 pm
this comes from a french educated arabic student?! WOW im impressed! you must be very proud of yourself you can master so many languages, and im sure your school and country must be proud of you too.
You deserve to win
- Samuel
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:39 pm
PERFECT! VERY WELL WRITEN! GOOD JOB! :D
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:41 pm
I am very impressed by this essay .It is important to defend women rights. Being a woman should not be an obstacle. Women are intelligent, talented…
Hope you will win Riad !
Good luck :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:26 pm
it’s a great essay riad!!!!!!good luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I Agree with you , Very good work Riad !
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:37 pm
This is a great essay,Riad . All the Best !
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Thanks all for the wonderful comments and replies ! I will surely reply to the ones that wrote somethings I can reply on later ! And yes Samuel, I am actually a french educated student, hehe ! Thanks again all for the support and for reading my article, I’m happy to hear that the informations I researched lithe the ideas in numerous mature minds !!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Riad! your essay is great and I think you’re right! with a woman as president, I imagine lebanon a better country were women and men will be finally equal! good luck!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Thanks for defending our rights, well done essay! Good luck !
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Riad I am proud of you. As long as we have the young generation thinking like you, we should not fear for our Lebanon. Your essay has moved me. Reading about Lebanese women’s rights is something I think of a lot being a Lebanese mother to 2 non-Lebaese sons and cannot give them the nationality of their mother’s country and where they were born and have been living all through their life.
I wish you luck Riad and cross my fingers awaiting the first prize so well deserved.
Najwa (Elementary School)
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Go riad ! all the lebaneese people are here to support you , Nice cause !=)
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Riad, your essay is reflective of the situation in our country and your solutions pragmatic and convincing.
Hope we have more men like you around to team up with and make the change!
Good luck :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Riad ! We are all very impressed by this amazing essay . We all agree with your ideas ! Hope that some day soon all women’s will be equal-righted to all men !
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:04 pm
True, seeing that you have identified the problem and suggested solutions, I hope you would be able to implement them in the nearest future!
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:05 pm
i absolutely agree with riad! everything is very true! :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Riad, congratulations! Your essay not only describes well the situation, but your overall structured approach shows your maturity, involevment and leadership!
You wont need luck :) you have earned your success and am looking forward for you to get full recognition!
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:26 pm
An exellent essay, very well written! Bravo Riad you were able to discuss a topic that is considered “taboo” even if we don’t admit it! Good luck! I think your the kind of person who can CHANGE things! Keep it up!
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Riadd this is amazing ! Really you have written yout essay very clearly you have syhthesized your ideas an you have used a very well written english ! Well done hope that all your efforts will be satisfied !
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Impressive essay
Congratulations Riad and Good Luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Riad! I really enjoyed reading your essay, and I was impressed. I agree with you, men and women should have the same rights, because God created us equal, and brothers. Furthermore, I think that your essay is the best between the five finalists, and you deserve to win. Good Luck.
Sincerely, Antoine.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:56 am
Very well done essay,We are all very impressed and proud of you .Good luck Riad!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:43 am
The essay is very well written and clear. This essay is also interesting. good luck
February 24th, 2010 at 4:04 am
The subject was very interesting and captivating . good work Riad .I wish the best and a good future.
February 24th, 2010 at 4:25 am
That is a great subject Riad. It is so true. I encourage you to always have future concerns about woman’s right and see to it that your ideas are implemented or at least regarded seriously all over the world.
Bravo
February 24th, 2010 at 4:30 am
I am living in NY. I read your essay, and was very impressed to have a young lebanese man right about our rights and be concerned to give ideas and somehow solutions to this eternal problem. Yes, women have the same capacities as man, except for physical strength, but mentally , they have the same abilities if not more.
I really appreciate this essay. Great
February 24th, 2010 at 4:33 am
What a nice and comprehensive short essay you have written Riad. Yes, I do agree with you and hope the future will have more people like you. What was more impressive, is that who wrote this essay a young bright man like you.
You can easily be a leader in this respect and many others.
February 24th, 2010 at 4:37 am
Living in Los Angeles, it gave me a great satisfaction to read and know that that a young Lebanese man is concerned about woman’s rights and encourage you to go on. Your essay was very impressive and persuasive.Bravo
February 24th, 2010 at 4:41 am
I am a TV reporter in Paris. I really liked your essay Riad. Please try to influence young men like you to carry on this very important move.
I strongly encourage you.
February 24th, 2010 at 4:43 am
Bravo Riad. It is a very impressive essay. And the way you developed the ideas was also very good. Your ideas are sound and correct.
February 24th, 2010 at 4:48 am
Reading your essay with my wife Rima , made us very proud to have a smart guy like you have this enthusiasm to discuss this issue and suggest solutions and new ideas. It is so true that women can get to top jobs and carry responsibilities same as men.Good attempt
February 24th, 2010 at 4:50 am
Your essay is great Riad . Bravo
February 24th, 2010 at 4:53 am
Wael and I really wanted to congratulate you on this essay.We liked your ideas and the way you suggested solutions. Bravo
February 24th, 2010 at 4:56 am
From Holland I congratulate you Riad on this impressive essay.
A young man like you can make a difference, so go on. I can see that you are going to have a bright future. We women. are going to depend on people like you. Great
February 24th, 2010 at 4:59 am
Bravo, what a good and well written essay. Of course, Riad, women are able to very influential in societies if given their rights and equal opportunities.
February 24th, 2010 at 5:02 am
Bravo Riad. Yes I agree with your ideas and believe that people like can bring change to the future of woman in the world.
February 24th, 2010 at 7:05 am
Bravo Riad good job I agree with you
February 24th, 2010 at 7:46 am
Discrimination against woman has many grounds in Lebanon and all the Arab countries.
But the Hope of change shall start with persons like you; keep up writing and supporting human rights.
February 24th, 2010 at 7:50 am
good luck :)
February 24th, 2010 at 7:51 am
wish u luck
February 24th, 2010 at 7:53 am
this essay is very good. it helps me see and realize that we should not look down at women. infact, it made it clear to me that women have the same potentiol as men to be successful.
February 24th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Riad, all I can tell you now is that you deserve a pat on the back for this unfathomable, profound analysis of women’s situation, and the fact that you elucidated several possible solutions. You raise the Lebanese communty’s head high against all stereotypes.
-Congratulations, Omar N.
February 24th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Very inspiring essay.it really was nice. Hope u win.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:10 am
CONGRATULATIONS RIAD !!!
February 24th, 2010 at 9:12 am
congratulations riad.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:13 am
great subject
February 24th, 2010 at 9:17 am
nice essay
February 24th, 2010 at 9:18 am
WISH U LUCK
February 24th, 2010 at 9:21 am
WONDURFUL ESSAY….CONGRATULATIONS.WISH U LUCK
February 24th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Congratulations riad
February 24th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Your essay is amazing! What you wrote is so good it describes exactly what Lebanon’s pont of view is for women
Good Luck
February 24th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Excellent essay, the author really expressed his thoughts in well written essay.
Congratulations
February 24th, 2010 at 9:34 am
I loved the issue and it is quite intresting and true and i do hope that progress in this matter will occur here in Lebanon and other countries as well.Best of luck!!!8
February 24th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Congratulations
February 24th, 2010 at 10:16 am
What a professional essay for a very essential problem ! Congratulations Riad :)
February 24th, 2010 at 10:20 am
I enjoyed reading the essay,it’s very well-written.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 10:26 am
I have learned so much from the essay. Congrats!!
February 24th, 2010 at 10:28 am
This is really great :)
Hope youu win !
February 24th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Wonderful article! It shows the author’s knowledge and awareness concerning a regional issue that really needs to be dealt with. Proposed solutions are feasible and interesting. Congratulations and good luck!
February 24th, 2010 at 10:35 am
This essay is very good. Very cleat thoughts! Hope you win
February 24th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Thanks all once again :)
February 24th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Very nice essay. I agree with you. This has become a big issue and it should be solved soon.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:00 am
This is a very inspiring essay.
Hope u win!
Good Luck!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:13 am
great and inspiring essay riad. keep up the good work!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Riad, this is very impressive and meaningful essay. You deserve to win , wish you all the best. :)
February 24th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Your essay impessed me and i hope you will win. It inspired me and taught me a lot. It made me also agree with you about women’s rights.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
BRAVO RIAD!!!SUPERBEMENT BIEN EXPRIME ET REFLECHI DE TA PART!
NOUS SOMMES TOUS TRES FIERS DE TOI!!!
LE LIBAN COMPTE SUR DES JEUNES COMME TOI POUR FAIRE UNE DIFFERENCE…
BONNE CONTINUATION!
February 24th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Good essay.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
u really impressed me. i hope u win. Good luck. i hope u win. :)
February 24th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Great job riad :))
good luck. x
February 24th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
this is amazing :D all what you said is sadly true and we do need to change
good luck!
February 24th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
agreed :) way to go Riad
February 24th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Bravo! We are really proud of our brilliant IC students ! Way to go Riad !
February 24th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
great essay, I hope what you dream of lebanon (and all around the world) achieving concernig the women’s rights issues will come true :) .
February 24th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Go Riad ! We are very proud of your talent ! Hope you will win !
February 24th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Riad ! Well done ! I really enjoyed reading that well written essay ! mabrouk !
February 24th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Very good Riad ! Nchalla you will win the 1st prize ! Best regards !
February 24th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Very good Riad this is an extraordinary essay ! hope you win!
February 24th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Congratulations and wish you the best ! : )
February 24th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Riad you attracted my attention as an English teacher ! you are Brilliant ! Aim for the best ! Mabrouk
February 24th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
This essay is wonderful. It has opened my eyes on the Governement Of Lebanon. You have an excellent point of view ! Wish you luck and Congratulations !
February 24th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Congrats. This Is 100% right and i hope what you wrote would make a difference in Lebanon. Hope you win.:)
February 24th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
amazing work! i hope you win because you deserve it!! bravo!!! :D
February 24th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Riad, this is a great essay. You are showing the world that a woman can be a leader. It’s really impressive. Good Luck :D
February 24th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
t is intresting to note Riad’s awarness about the laws in Lebanon when it comes to women. It is true that having a woman as a leader is not always on Lebaneese’s minds. The article impressed me on all levels, good job!
February 24th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
This Is a great essay.
Let’s all pray you win.
Great Job, and good luck.
:) :D
February 24th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
This is truly inspiring and breath taking Riad.. Continue what your doing :)
Great Job
February 24th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Riad ton article est impressionnant.Il est écrit avec beaucoup de logique et d’esprit critique.Tes arguments sont convainquants.
Ce que j’ai aimé ce sont les solutions que tu as suggérées très clairement aussi simplement que possible, avec beaucoup d’éloquence;d’ailleurs cela ne m’étonne pas ,ton article reflète ta nature dynamique et ambitieuse….
J’espère que tu viseras toujours l’excellence!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
nice essay
hope you do something good with it
February 24th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
GREAT essay ! very well written ! Congratulations
it made me understand a lot about women’s rights I have been more convinced and of the point you have made !
Hope you win
February 24th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Gd job! :)
Woman should be given rites to vote and be part of the government :)
Yes we lebanese must work on that :D
February 24th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Needless to say Riad, I am very proud of the way you handled and analyzed this problem within the Lebanese context. You put your finger on the right set of issues and presented your case really well.
While I agree with you that there are inherent restraints in our cultural setup that are holding back women from assuming high level positions in the public and private sectors, we need to work all of us together (civil society, government, private sector and educators) to remove any stereotyping that is attached to women’s role in the society and to advocate for larger participation of women in political life and in economic development. The biggest responsibility however has to be assumed by women themselves. Women have to push for their rights through hard work, persistence and perseverance to eventually break through these barriers and to prove themselves by their own merit and worth.
You may like to know that Lebanon has already taken baby steps in the right direction. The Council of Ministers has recently approved a 20% quota for women in the upcoming municipal elections. We have for the first time appointed a woman for the post of the Minister of Finance (wink). Also, for the first time, a woman has been elected by her peers to head the syndicates of lawyers in Lebanon. As important, a gender focal point has been appointed in each ministry to mainstream women issues in the budget process.
Keep up the great work.
February 25th, 2010 at 2:07 am
Amazing essay!!! Hope u will win!!! Keep up the good work!!!
February 25th, 2010 at 2:56 am
This is a very Impressive and factual essay! Thank you Riad for voicing the thoughts and ideas of many people! Couldn’t have been said in a better way! Congratulations!!!
February 25th, 2010 at 3:05 am
bravoooo im very proud that they brought up womens rights and thnks to you :)
February 25th, 2010 at 4:26 am
wow it was really amazing!
i loved reading it!
February 25th, 2010 at 4:32 am
You got my vote (:
February 25th, 2010 at 4:35 am
very well written i like your ideas:) you are a great writer, keep it up, you deserve to win. good luck :D
February 25th, 2010 at 4:46 am
You got my vote(: , Impressing.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:16 am
Excellent exposition and argumentation with very intresting insights on the status of Lebanese women. All the community is very proud of your achievement so far Riad. Best of luck!
February 25th, 2010 at 5:18 am
Good Job! Congragulations!
February 25th, 2010 at 5:21 am
amazing article! exactly what information a womens rights defender should have . makes sence and definitely true. hope you win it!!! mabrouk.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:22 am
Hope you winn !
This is an amazing thing :)
February 25th, 2010 at 5:24 am
Bravo Riad. we are so proud of you, this is a great essay and very interesting. great job. good luck.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:25 am
Hope you wiin :)
Good luckk !
February 25th, 2010 at 5:26 am
good job!Mabrouk!!!!
February 25th, 2010 at 5:29 am
HI CONGRATS YOU DESERVE IT
February 25th, 2010 at 5:30 am
Great work. Let hope your generation is able to make some changes.
February 25th, 2010 at 6:09 am
mabrouk
February 25th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Epatant ton texte Riad!Felicitations!
February 25th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Wow Riad ur essay rly impressed me !
Gd luck
February 25th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Its Great !
Hope You Win ! :)
February 25th, 2010 at 11:53 am
I have learned so much from the essay. Congrats!
February 25th, 2010 at 11:54 am
hey!! cool essay,congratulations :D
February 25th, 2010 at 11:55 am
nice essay!! I hope you win!! :)
February 25th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Great essay !
Good luck for the compition :p
and hope you win !
By the way Riad, your solutions are fantastic.
February 25th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Amazing essay !!!
I’m lebaneese, and I agree with you.
Hope you win !
February 25th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
This is a great essay Riad. I agree with you and the solution you proposed are very good. Good Luck :D
February 25th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I am really so proud to be your father Riad. I want you to remember that, sixty years ago, your granma was a leading pioneer who started a long and difficult journey to convince fathers in our hometown to allow their daughters to go to school and even to get higher education. She battled to change mentalities and to establish womens’ rights. So it no surprise to me that you have this much insight into this matter, what surprised me is your eloquence and systematic thinking! Good luck!
February 25th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Bravo Riad!!!
Amazing views, amazing points, amazing style, amazing everything. I do wish you the best in this competition and every competition. You are sooooo gifted and so brave, I am proud to call you so. You have my sincere support and you deserve the finest appreciation. I am congratulating you now and hope will still do so for “the winner” position.
February 25th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Riad, this is amazing . The solutions u gave were very reasonable and would help a lot.
February 25th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Very impressive essay! I’m amazed a young lebanese guy actually took the time and put a lot of effort into researching and writing about such a crucial issue. You definitely deserve to win! Keep up the good work and spread the word amongst your peers so we can finally see some long-awaited change in our patriarchal society.Good luck!
February 25th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
This is a really good and interesting approach of the situation in Lebanon, including all the factors that cause this issue.
Congratulations Riad! =D
February 26th, 2010 at 3:28 am
Very well written essay!!!Best of luck….
February 26th, 2010 at 3:29 am
Riad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
congratulation :) ur essay is amazing !!!!!!!
February 26th, 2010 at 4:37 am
Bravo Riad , tu donnes un apercu tres clair et tres precis de la condition de la femme au Liban .
February 26th, 2010 at 5:30 am
Goodluck!
February 26th, 2010 at 5:56 am
this is a very intersting article. i really enjoyed reading it. it is a very controvesial issue worth discusing. hope you will win .congrats!!
February 26th, 2010 at 6:58 am
what an amazing essay:D hope you do well,Best wishes!
February 26th, 2010 at 7:09 am
A really great subject. very impressive, and i, as a lady, am looking forward to read more and more about your ideas..
Good luck & it is a real honor to have a young gentlman capable to describe this real situation with maturity… well.. for sure your mom & future wife will be very proud & happy :)))
February 26th, 2010 at 7:48 am
It is a very good essay and it discusses the exact problems that we face in lebanon we should open our eyes for these kinds of problems and we should start working on that to make lebanon a better country and this is a good way to start!
February 26th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Excellent essay Riad ! The subject is very intresting and you made it clear in your essay !
We are all proud of you !
Good luck !
February 26th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
very well written GREAT JOB.congrats
February 26th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
This is a great essay… hope u win!!!
good luck!
February 27th, 2010 at 4:36 am
Good job Riad. :) Congratulations and good luck!
February 27th, 2010 at 4:38 am
Bravo! it was very good written hope ull win!!!
February 27th, 2010 at 5:41 am
congratulations
February 27th, 2010 at 5:43 am
bravo!!!
February 27th, 2010 at 6:40 am
Great job Riad!u have great ideas and you write in a incredible way! I’m sure that all Lebanese are proud.
Bravo!
February 27th, 2010 at 7:33 am
Merci tous et toutes pour vos commentaires.
Thank you your EXCELLENCY for commenting on my essay. As you said your appointment as minister of Finance gave hope to women who started believing in themselves and in the possibility of reaching public office in Lebanon if they work hard and persistently! As I suggested in my essay, it’s important to guarantee a quota for women in public office. The 20% quota that the government recently approved is an important step that needs to be followed up, as you said, by mobilizing all groups in the society. Looking toghether for a brighter future.
February 27th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Well written essay, bravo Riad.
I hope you win the contest
February 27th, 2010 at 10:51 am
You are so correct about this situation in Lebanon. Everything is so clear and true. I hope and I’m sure that this essay will help women’s rights in Lebanon. Congrats! I’m so proud of you, and you really deserve the prize!
February 27th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Amazingly written. You definitely deserve to win the contest.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:54 am
It’s interesting how the author first points out to the roots of discrimination. He explains how discrimination starts in the smallest social nucleus- namely the family- before it is felt in the public domain, and by stating this important factor, he already points out to how change will eventually have to be carried out also on this level for any long term results.
It’s quite insightful how he then points out to how the ‘image’ of women is often at the root of the non-change, not the root of discrimination per se, but an obstacle to change, and therefore perhaps an important key towards the so needed change in the way women and their roles in society are perceived.
It’s also quite insightful how he offers a way to begin this ‘image’ change through the best tool for image making and unmaking- i.e the media.
He proposes a campaign that would use the media for such an undertaking and would act as a short term change instigator, and then proposes a change in the school curricula that would act as a long term engine of change.
It’s clear through this proposition how his vision is addressing both the short and long term agenda for change.
And it’s also interesting how he backs up his argument by pointing out how these changes are already in progress based on real factors such as the fact that women already are active in various professional fields of society.
Moreover he is aware that the measures on the political and administrative levels might not erase discrimination because the struggle against discrimination in this sphere will also have to be fought on various other levels. By this he proves that he has realistically thought of the problem and is thus offering realistic solutions for it.
And in conclusion he suggests that change will ultimately come because women themselves in Lebanon are already receiving the education needed to bring about this change and have already started this operation and that the endorsement of these endeavors by the state and political parties will surely accelerate the change, and by this addresses a message to politicians telling them that they can make a change, and they’d better do, because this change will eventually happen, so might as well have them play a role in its acceleration.
February 27th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Good job (:
February 27th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Great job (:
February 27th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Good job , you deserve to win :)
February 27th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
good job riyad
February 27th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
bravo riad (:
February 27th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Riaad!!! It’s a very impressive essay! Great Job! Wish you the best and good luck!!! :)
February 27th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
well done riad.
congrats.
February 27th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
very good essay.
hope u win
February 27th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
That was a great essay Riad. I am Indian, and working in Dubai. I really that woman participating in social, political, educational and economical fields can bring change to the whole globe. Education of women should the main concern of the UN organizations all over the world.I really encourage you to carry this further.
February 27th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Excellent essay Riad! Very well written, coherent, presents excellent ideas and practical solutions. Its concise and logically sequenced making it flow so beautifully.
I’m so glad to see a young man shed light on this important issue, with the hope that things do change in the near future, and with an essay like yours that many are reading, the hope gets greater and greater
Thank you Riad for writing this, and I do wish you the best of luck with this competition, you are a most worthy winner.
February 27th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I am Italian, read your essay, and I find that you tried to give some insight into this human rights movement. If you can continue with your efforts with others of your standard, you will surely make a difference in the future of women.
February 27th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
gd 1
February 27th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
I am the mba master program at IED in milano. I was very intereste4d to read your essa, and what interested me most is that you a young man from the middle east shows this concern about woman’s rights in his country. I hope all those who read this essay will feel the urge of change and accept the fact that women can be equal to men if they are prepared to do so. Law should also regard this too. GO…..
February 27th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
well done riad! i really liked ur essay! i still cant beleive that u r french educated and u can wright like this , it is just fantastic. i hope u win it would be something amazing for all of us! keep up the good work
February 27th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
riaddddddddd! i loved wat u wrote. hope u will win
February 27th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
RIAD,
this is a great and laudable essay throughout which u state the problems the world is currently facing, and propose practical solutions which we could initiate and develop from our present time.
although there are several other faces for the discrimintaion of women and their rights, the points u have mentioned are much enough to be proposed as a matter of fact , validated by the everyday life we can see….
and too, although this matter has been in controversy for long, u are aiding in turning it into an indisputable subject which will , in the near future, become a one-faced issue that couldnt ever be refuted …
wishing u best luck :) and …good job
may equality be a right and a fact and an everyday usual practice
February 27th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Riad, i would like to congratulate you on this great and convincing essay. Moreover, i admire ur great will into facing one of the many controversial problems we have here in Lebanon and proposing practical solutions that we can build with our new peaceful world free of discrimination in all of its kinds, especially that of women . I would also like to point out that i agree with md’RACHID’s comment… Also, it’s a good thing that you as a guy are helping the other sex to get free from this jail they’re living in and finally get their deserving rights.
wishing you best luck :)
February 28th, 2010 at 6:22 am
Outstanding essay Riad, change has to start from the way women are valued and foreseen. I am happy to see that a young guy like u is fighting this discremenation by raising the subject and pushing for change.
The author is right that we have to look at the way women are thought of in their own families.
The solutions proposed are brilliant..
Well Done
February 28th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
If all lebanese were like you….Lebanon would have been the most civilized contry
i hope u will win!!
best of luck
February 28th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
congratulations!
hope u win
February 28th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Well written essay and I believe if more individuals like you all over the world and especially in Lebanon work on this, a whole lot of change towards the good could occur, and that is something we definitely need. Good luck.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:24 am
It is great to hear from Rayya al Hassan on women’s issues. Lebanon has taken mini-baby steps indeed. The most important is to indicate commitment to a serious reform of discriminatory laws and ensuring that political concerns and interests do not take precedence over women’s rights. Thus far, the implementation of CEDAW has yet to become reality. Meanwhile, three Arab countries have already reformed their nationality laws. Many more have reformed or are in the process of reforming their family laws. Where we stand on women’s rights is the real indicator of how serious our reforms are and whether or not we are a true democracy. At this stage, we still have a very long way to go.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:47 am
this is amazing
March 1st, 2010 at 11:58 am
Very well written, keep up the good work… Good luck
March 1st, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Great i love it! well done riad! :))
March 1st, 2010 at 1:05 pm
really good essay man hope u win :)
March 1st, 2010 at 1:49 pm
great essay riad, keep up the good work.
ommac!
March 1st, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Great work Riad ! Good Luck.
March 1st, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Riad, words can not describe what I feel about your essay. It’s simply amazing.
Keep it up!
March 1st, 2010 at 2:36 pm
You are absolutly right!Women are better leaders!
March 1st, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Great essay! good luck!
March 1st, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Great I love it! well done Riad!!!
March 1st, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I really loved what you wrote. Hope you will win! good luck
March 1st, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Your essay is amazing! Si les femmes menaient le monde…
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:11 am
Riad , i read this essay and i found that it was great ! I hope you win :)
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
i totally agree with you riad , women should have the ability of participating in the political field and the awarness of discrimination against women should raise in our country , i hope this would open the eyes of our government someday .
amazing essay , couldnt get any better !
best of luck buddy :)
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:30 am
It’s a really amazing essay to read, great job Riad!!I hope u’ll win
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:45 am
Great essay! Most of the difficulties women face in Lebanon are clearly exposed and the solutions you propose are very interesting, realistic & reveals your maturity.
But the most interesting is to notice that a young man like you, who represents the Lebanese new generation, thinks in such a way. This is a good start and hopefully many young men think or will start thinking like you…
Bravooooo !!!
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Its the first time i read something like that and that good !
Good Job Riad .
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:18 pm
very impressing, good luck Riad!
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:20 pm
great essay ,,, keep up the good work
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Riad… it is good t read all these comments….. it means many of your friends at least read your article, thought about it to give their comment. The benefit of this will hopefully appear in the future so we may reach a day where we will not ask about women’s right. The women are the essence of the family, that are the roots of the society then the women is the root of the society. Her role is not only as known raising kids, teaching them, housewife… but it goes beyond… as you mentioned in your article. Riad, you mentioned limitations due to religion as i understood (if i am not mistaken)… I want you to know that no religion in Lebanon talk about limited role of the women… but on the contrary, they emphazised on her role, struggled for her rights….. Only people (SOCIETY) put limitations on the women’s right… With grown teenagers as you, one day they will discover the truth… they may be inspired by you… Go on .. Your ideas are very well developed, the structure of your sentences are clear and you are submitting some kind of solutions…
Don’ t stop writing… You are a convincing person in your writing and you may have influence on people in the future ( NO one knows)…
Bravo Riad…
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:39 pm
this is one of the best essays i have read in my whole life! You speak the truth! And i never thought that much about it.. You’ve really opened my eyes :)
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:49 pm
nice work! good luck
March 3rd, 2010 at 7:29 am
very good essay!
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:47 am
Riad, CHAPEAU BAS ON THIS AMAZING ESSAY ! WAW! you simply amazed me by the way you wrote this article and also the way you approached the subject. I mean, i had to write something like that also one time, and it is almost nothing compared to this one ! Great Work Man , keep it up . We’re all 100% with you in this. :)
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 am
I found this article exceptionnally interresting. The fact that Riad can talk about a subject in such a vivid way is amazing. I love how he relates to us woman here in lebanon facing difficulties.Thank you for speaking in our voices ! I hope you win because you deserve it young man !
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:56 am
Amazing essay to read :D
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Riad excellent essay! You have really grabbed my attention! One of the best I have ever read! You really deserve to win this competition! Keep up the great work and hope we all see you as a winner and also as a great feminist!
tc :P :D
MALI :)
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Great essay Riad, I admire your maturity and hope that your generation will be able to make the changes we dream and work for. My best wishes for the contest but whatever the result might be, I think that having young people like you is already a reward.
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Riad great essay!
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Nice essay Riad! I really was amazed with this essay!
Great job buddy, keep up the hard work!
March 4th, 2010 at 3:21 am
This is a great essay. It pinpoints the reasons behind this discrimination perfectly! Coming from a young man, it gives us all hope for a brighter future :)
Chapeau-bas Riad! :)
March 4th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Nice essay
March 4th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Good job! (:
March 4th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Thats really impressing Riad
March 4th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
good job on this essay man
peace
March 4th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Je suis tres impressionne! Ta qualite est exellente pour un mineur et digne de gagner
March 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
exellente!
March 4th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
hope u win
March 4th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
From all 5 essays this is trully the BEST one
im sure it’ll win
March 4th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
very well written
March 4th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
This essay shows exactly how the situation in Lebanon is.
March 4th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Very good to have such enthusiastic writers!
March 4th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I love how he backs up his argument by saying how these changes are already in progress! Good job!
March 4th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
this kick ass, im positive ya gonna win this thang
March 4th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
It’s good to have a man in our country that is fighting for our rights. I’m a journalist and I’ve been working abroad for several years. I always read articles about this subject that is very relevant now… I can say that Mr. Riad did a very good job and deserves to win. Well-done.
March 4th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
This essay amazed me! The English, the ideas, the solutions, the comments, the organized campaign!
March 4th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Excellent job in all the sense of the word!
March 4th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
We would also like to that the minister for reading the thoughts of the public! J
March 4th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
great essay, I hope what you dream of lebanon achieving concernig the women’s rights issues will come true.
March 4th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Great essay Riad !
Good luck :)
March 4th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Wish you to win
Smith
March 4th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Keep it up young man!
March 4th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
It deserves a thumbs up (Y)
March 4th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Riad, i have to tell you, this is an exellent essay.
I’ve read all the finalist’s essays and this one in my opinion
is the best and i really hope it will win. congratulation
Sincerely
March 4th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Awazing! well done kid
March 4th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Kudos to you, Riad! You are already a winner for the mere fact of addressing this very important subject in a very well-written essay. WOW…I guess there is hope for change because of young men like you!!! We all appreciate your interest in this and your decision to take on this challenge. Best of luck to you!
March 5th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
good essay!! nice
March 5th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
WONDERFUL
March 7th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Read them all, and yours is the best. :) Hope you win! You deserve it.
March 9th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
wow Riad seriously, an excellent wake up message to our leaders here and in all the conservative regions were man is dominant over women. I wish you the best :)
March 11th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
It is really good best of luck
March 12th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Riad,
Great essay and a mind opening perspective. Your approach in writing about this subject is quite impressive: simple, engaging and “out of the box”.
Well done!
March 14th, 2010 at 10:09 am
im just commenting so u in ma ken 2ili 5ili2 to read it…. gd luck!
March 15th, 2010 at 6:47 am
We share the same ideas (both the issue and suggested solutions)=)
However, from the comments I got for my essay (and the comments under the essay of first prize winner for Group 2), many still doubt if education can really work in resolving this issue. Like in my country, I can hear voices of frustrations, showing their disappointment towards the education system, or more importantly towards people who are WORKING on and in the education system, until some, come to the end of despair that they don’t think education will ever work.
Worse still worse, it’s a “tradition” that the post of education minister, the key person who decide the education policy in the country, has always being held by male politicians who are elected and chosen through election. Note that in Malaysia, education minister is considered an “elite post”. (all current and former Prime Ministers, except the first one, in Malaysia used to hold the post of education minister) With little number of women in the parliament, it’s sure hard to break this “tradition”.
So, the solutions? Fall back to education itself, while the “tradition” is still hard to be broken in the parliament? Vote more women into the parliament? How? Will that guarantee their post as an education minister anyway? Will there be any woman who’s willing to take up the challenge anyway?
Some questions to ponder.
By the way, keep it up, Riad!=) I’m glad that I finally found a finalist who’s thinking the same as me.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:09 am
Dear Riad,
Very well written and extremely impressive views on this topic, for your generation. Seeing that you are aware of this issue makes hope for “real” change seems more “REAL”! Your style of writing is as astounding as the topic itself!
Great Job!