Feb 26, 2013 Posted by Joelle

Marching For Domestic Violence Legislation

On February 24, 2013, several hundred protesters marched on the streets of Beirut to call on the Lebanese parliament to pass the Law to Protect Women from Family Violence, which would criminalize physical, mental, and sexual abuse, marital rape, and honor crimes. Protesters marched from the Sanayeh Garden, facing the Ministry of the Interior in Hamra, to Ain el-Tineh, where the residence of Speaker Nabih... read more

Jan 3, 2013 Posted by Joelle

All I Want For My Birthday This Year

Some time this January, I’ll be turning one year older. So for my birthday in 2013, all I want is to go on a discovery road trip across Lebanon. Who says birthdays are just one-day celebrations? The thing is, I’ve always felt like a tourist in my own small country. Those who know a few things about me know that my relationship with the so-called Land of the Cedars has been on the rocks ever... read more

Dec 21, 2012 Posted by Joelle

What Recognition Can Do

There’s a huge power in acknowledgment, recognition and praise, but because we are often uncomfortable with it, we avoid it. And when we avoid it, we rob ourselves and others of the benefit that it brings. - Christopher Littlefield TEDxBeirut have started uploading the talks from the 2012 edition on their website and YouTube. For those of you who missed the live event, if you watch one talk online,... read more

Jan 15, 2012 Posted by Joelle

Rape Isn’t A Legal Right – Shout It Out Loud

On January 14, 2012, hundreds of people defied the rain and took to the streets of Beirut to protest against rape. Protesters marched from Sanayeh to Riad El Solh square in Downtown Beirut, where security officers cordoned off the area to prevent them from reaching the Lebanese Parliament. As the crowds gathered in the square, organizers read statements that called upon the Lebanese Parliament to: Pass... read more

Sep 4, 2011 Posted by Joelle

Expressing Sexuality Through Art

To commemorate World Sexual Health Day (September 4), an art exhibit entitled “Good Sex/ Bad Sex/ No Sex/ Your Sex” was held at AltCity, in Hamra. “Sexuality is such a profound part of our life. So is art,” explained event organizer Rola Yasmine, member of the Youth Initiative Committee of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). ”What we did here is create a space for... read more

Jul 25, 2011 Posted by Joelle

Deconstructing Sexual Harassment

One of the challenges of addressing sexual harassment is that it is, to a large extent, hard to define. It could be reduced to “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” But there’s a lot more to sexual harassment than just a range of hostile or offensive acts. And while the absence of laws to criminalize and... read more

Jun 19, 2011 Posted by Joelle

Speak Up Against Sexual Harassment

This illustration is my contribution to the blogging and tweeting day against sexual harassment and gender-based violence, a call to action on June 20 initiated by activists in Egypt. In Lebanon, the team behind The Adventures of Salwa joined the campaign with a parallel blogging day. So did activists in Sudan. You, too, can speak up about sexual harassment. If you’re a blogger, post a personal... read more

Jun 18, 2011 Posted by Joelle

In Solidarity With Saudi Women Daring To Drive

On June 17, 2011, tens of people gathered in front of the Saudi Embassy in Beirut in solidarity with Saudi women who defied the ultra-conservative Kingdom’s rule against women being able to drive, risking arrest and violence. Click here for videos of several Saudi women who braved the roads behind the wheel. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that bans women from driving. Even though... read more