Secularism has been a critical demand in Lebanon ever since the declaration of independence. Unable to counter the confessional and sectarian loyalties in the years of the civil war, the question of a secular state rises once again to the fore of political life in Lebanon. This question reflects the need of the Lebanese people to be assured that the present years of civil “peace” will not be interrupted.

Taking place on 25 April 2010, the Laïque Pride march represents a sincere initiative by citizens who would like to have a direct relationship with the state, without a mediator in between. Secularism in a country as diverse as Lebanon represents true coexistence, while the current sectarian system represents a crisis.

Women’s interest in a secular state goes in parallel with their struggle for equality, justice and full citizenship. Women’s call for a secular state goes hand in hand with the demands for protection from family and gender-based violence. Secularism allows women to be emancipated from sectarian laws that effect their lives and choices, including marriage, inheritance, and custody among other issues.

We call upon all concerned citizens, women’s rights NGOs, women from all sects and religions, and women of conforming and non-conforming sexualities to march with us in the Nasawiya feminist block, as we demand a secular state in Lebanon.

For more information on how to join us, contact us on 01-447 192 or write to farah[at]nasawiya.org.

For more information on Laïque Pride, see the event’s Facebook Page.

Nasawiya is keen on sponsoring female students to take part in ArabNet 2010, the first international conference for the Arab web industry, bringing together leaders from across the MENA, Europe and Silicon Valley to discuss cutting-edge trends and emerging opportunities.

The conference will take place on March 25-26, 2010 at Habtoor, Grand Hotel, Lebanon.

If you’re a young Lebanon-based female student with a strong knowledge and interest in online technologies and processes, and you would like to take part in this unique event, please write to farah@nasawiya.org before Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

On this year’s International Women’s Day, over 100 people answered Nasawiya’s call to take to the streets to take back the night. For roughly two hours, feminists made their way from Mar Mikhael, Gemayze to Ain el Mraiseh, marching past bedazzled onlookers, curious drivers who ground to a halt, and wary police cars and officers who trailed the march. They were chanting:

- For freedom, for nationality, a feminist revolution.
- One word, shout out loud, feminism won’t die.
- Feminists against sectarianism, racism, sexism, classism, capitalism, Zionism, rape, harassment, patriarchy.
- For Lebanese women in Tripoli, in Byblos, in Saida, in Tyr, in Beirut… a feminist revolution.
- For Lebanese, Palestinian, Iraqi, Filipino, Sri Lankan women and women of all nationalities, a feminist revolution.

Our words won’t do the event justice. So we thought we’d let these images do the talking instead.

The revolution continues…

Video: Nasawiya International Women’s Day March – 2010

For more videos, check out our YouTube Channel.

Photo Gallery: Nasawiya International Women’s Day March – 2010

For more photos, go to our Facebook Fan Page.

On this year’s International Women’s Day, we decided once again to take our actions to the streets to interact with people and raise awareness about women’s issues.

After weeks of rehearsals, two groups performed over the weekend of March 6-7, 2010 “Invisible Theater” actions in several locations around Beirut. The scenes performed were about sexual harassment, and a brother meddling in his sister’s life. Go to our YouTube Channel to see videos from the sibling meddling group’s performance in Costa, Hamra and ABC Mall, Achrafieh.

Developed by Brazilian activist and theater director, Augusto Boal, the “Theater of the Oppressed and Invisible Theater” technique consists of performing a previously rehearsed play in a public space without the public’s knowing that it is a play. It addresses a precise theme concerning social injustice, such as sexism. It is intended to provoke debate and to clarify the problem with the people who experience it.

We also printed over 40 congratulatory banners which were hung in and around Beirut. You may have spotted them while you were out and about.

Members and friends also distributed 3,000 Happy IWD stickers in streets, offices and universities.

Through a special partnership with the progressive daily Al-Akhbar, other members contributed articles to the paper’s March 8, 2010 issue, celebrating International Women’s Day.

And while the Nasawiya hive was buzzing, another group of activists documented the collective’s preparations for IWD 2010 in a do-it-yourself video.

Our actions will culminate tonight at 6:30 PM with a “take back the night” march for all women’s rights.

“How many times have we thought twice about leaving our homes at night?” said Farah Salka, General Coordinator. “How many times have we dreaded the walk back home, even from the car up to our apartment? How many times have we walked at night, always looking over our shoulders? How many times have we been silenced, just because we were women? That’s why we’ve decided to take to the streets to demand that the night be a safe time for women and remind people that gender equality is an integral part of human rights and that there’s still a lot to do for women’s rights and social justice.”

Our march calls for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence, be they verbal, physical, and sexual must be eliminated; the elimination of sexism and all forms of discrimination, and exploitation that are based on gender, sexuality, able-bodiedness, ethnicity, race, religion, class, etc.; the right of women to their bodies and sexualities; and the abolition of all laws that violate women’s rights.

Whichever way you’re celebrating International Women’s Day, we wish you all a very happy one.

The revolution continues…

Busying itself like a bee, Nasawiya is holding a series of events and workshops this week.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 – Book Club – 7:00 PM – T-Marbouta
Nasawiya is kicking off its Book Club (Kira’at Nasawiya) with a discussion on women and quota in light of the newly adopted 20% quota for women in the upcoming municipal elections. The discussion will take place at 7:00 PM at T-Mmarbouta in Hamra (call 01-447192 for directions).

Thursday, February 18, 2010 – Theater Workshop – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – IndyACT Office
Nasawiya continues its theater of the oppressed workshops in preparation for International Women’s Day with another 2-hour session starting at 7:00 PM at the IndyACT office in Mar Mikhael (call 01-447192 for directions).

Saturday, February 20, 2010 – Imaging Workshop – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – IndyACT Office
The second workshop in our Gender and IT program will be on “Optimizing Images for the Web.” Led by Art Director Naeema Zarif, the workshop will take place between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM at the IndyACT office in Mar Mikhael (call 01-447192 for directions). Participants should have basic knowledge in computer use and preferably have photoshop CS3 installed on their computers.

All events and workshops are free. No registration is required, except for the “Optimizing Images for the Web” workshop, as places are limited to 15. To reserve your place, please email farah@nasawiya.org with a little bit about you. Priority goes to young women and young activists of both or neither gender.