Tyre for Tyres

Driving school in Tyre, Lebanon
 

In the Western world we often ignorant of the experiences of Middle Eastern women. Women within the Middle East are not differentiated and seen as marginalised in society. However the experience of women across the Middle East varies. In Lebanon women are underrepresented in parliament, with only four women in the 2005 parliament. In recent years Hezbollah has carried out propaganda to enshrine Islamist values which oppresses women. However women in Lebanon enjoy civil rights to a degree, with relatively high representation in education and the workforce. In this recent story we can see the determination of women in Lebanon. Faten Damrieh has her own driving school and dedicates 12 hours a day to teaching women to drive in Tyre. Faten Damrieh believes in the empowerment of women and says they should have more confidence in themselves. Although she struggles with disapproval and ridicule of men she perseveres.
This determination of women in Lebanon has also taken form in protest on International Women's Day, when thousands descended upon Beirut to protest against domestic violence. This action was successful weeks later when the parliament passed a law to criminalize domestic violence. Although the law does not cover marital rape it is still a step in the right direction.