women

In the past week, we met on several occasions as feminists, to discuss our role in the current series of protests in Lebanon.  We started joining the protests since Saturday 22^nd of August as individuals, like many other people. We joined the crowded streets of Beirut, melting with the wider demands for basic rights, just female bodies in the streets.

This morning something extraordinary happened: I experienced genuine happiness! Wait, wait, this is not a I-lay-in-my-bed-and-the-sun-came-shining-through-the-windows-story. This is a I-got-harassed-by-a-12-year-old-and-flipped-him-off-story.

لما ناس سألونى هنتقابل يوم الثلاثاء و لا بلاش علشان المظاهرات قلتهم و افرض يعنى مظاهرات ما هى اكيد مش هنحس بيها و هتخلص قبل الظهر… قد ايه كنت مش فاهمة قد ايه فاقدة الامل و جاهلة!  بس دخلت ع الفيسبوك بليل و شفت اللى بيحصل و ما كنتش مصدقة…معقولة دول مصريين؟ بس قلت أكيد يوم و هيعدى و كنت غلطانة تانى… و عدى يوم الثلاثاء و الأربعاء و الدنيا بتولع: حماس، تضامن غريب بين الناس مشوفتوش فى بلدى غير فى ماتشات الكورة و فجاءة بدأت أسمع ان صحابى رجالة و ستات بيتشدوا… ايه ده هو الموضوع المرة ديه جد و لا ايه؟

I suppose it’s not a secret that parts of Beirut are witnessing or have witnessed in the past year periods of political tension. Regardless if these political tensions were directed “civil” strives, it is important for me to look closer at how these tensions affect the lives of women that are part of the social fabric of these neighborhoods.