President Michel Suleiman called on Friday for a bigger role for women in public life in Lebanon and hoped they would increase their participation in political and administrative work. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Suleiman hoped that “women would be able to play a wider role in public life and participate in broader aspects of national responsibilities, in politics and administration, in addition to their social role.”

“Women, who proved their presence in several fields, are invited more than any other time to move forward and indulge in public affairs to consolidate their rights,” Suleiman said in a statement.

“Governments should also pave way for them to gain their rights and benefit from the capabilities of the other half of society,” he said. Suleiman added that greater role for women in public life would “consolidate social, political and national stability and contribute to peace between nations and peoples.” On the same occasion, first lady Wafaa called for the adoption of an electoral draft-law that sets a quota for the number of women in parliament. [Link]