representing the vast majority of women’s organizations and groups in Lebanon, blankly refused to take it. Their attitude is clear: municipal election laws are not being enforced at present, and when will that amendment be made? Besides, was the Lebanese male citizen given his right to elect by degrees also? And what is it that makes a not highly educated woman less reliable in casting a free vote than a not highly educated man?
Elections took place a couple of weeks ago. The man-in-the-street went to the polls, while all women sat back and watched.
But the Women’s Organizations’ Executive Committee was at work again, and took a very active part in the elections. It managed to approach most of the candidates and obtained from them written declarations promising to work for the cause of woman’s rights at the very outset of their careers once they were elected.
Women also directed public opinion in Lebanon, and campaigned for all worthy candidates, and especially for those in sympathy with their claims. Ladies in Beirut carried out a definite set program of work in convincing educated people to go to the polls, in campaigning against rotrogressive candidates, and in awakening the public to the country’s social problems and its needs.
The Political Committee of the Lebanese Women’s Federation staged a big publicity campaign during elections week through handbills, cinema ads and airplane messages — calling on the thinking public to judge rationally and vote for their ultimate welfare. They also asked to watch by ballot-boxes on the day of elections and thus encourage freedom of expression at the spot.
No woman in Lebanon literally signed a ballot on Sunday the 15th of April, but the Lebanese woman cast her vote all the same.