Mar 8 Update: First Prize Winner in Group 1
Finalist in WLP’s Youth Essay Contest Group 1: 14-18 Years
Nadine Abi Kanaan, Lebanon
We often hear people say that women in Lebanon are the most emancipated in the Middle East region. But this saying isn’t exactly true because it is only based on the rich Lebanese minority who drives luxurious cars, and enjoys the pink side of life frequenting the most famous restaurants of the country’s capital.
But the less fortunate Lebanese women have to endure the tough discrimination of one of the most patriarchal country in the Arab world. The Lebanese government doesn’t consider the women as a full citizen because the system is based on sexism and discrimination. And it is often said that: “A citizen in Lebanon is a male citizen”. In fact, the third CEDAW report states: “whichever denomination she belongs to, a Lebanese woman is victim of gender discrimination in her contact with the personal status law”; adding that men in Lebanon are fully supported by the government while women and their rights are totally denied. The discrimination of women in Lebanon appears in many laws:
Corniche Storm (cc) ashraf al-mansur
The Personal Status Laws:
Lebanon is multi confessional (18 confessions); and enforcement of Personal Status Law is in the hand of the various religious courts. There is no one unified civil law that defines the personal status law. Consequently, there are 15 different personal status codes, in Lebanon, one of the smallest countries in the Arab Region. These different laws cover inheritance, marital relations and other related areas. Although women’s rights and their equality with men are part of the country’s constitution, they are barely respected in real life.
A woman who obtains divorce in Lebanon suffers by lots of injustices that come with it, regarding children’s custody and future remarriage. Therefore, although the parental authority goes back to the father, he’s also the rightful and legal guardian in most personal status law. Whereas women rarely get the children’s custody, and if they get it, they have no legal rights upon them. When it comes to remarriage, most Christian and Islamic personal status law state that if the woman remarries, she loses custody of the children.
As for inheritance, the laws differ depending on religions. For Muslims, daughters inherit half as much as their brothers because Muslims don’t consider women as the member of the family who has financial responsibilities. But what if she divorces and gets the custody of her children, how will she be able to assume their living; in a country where fathers can easily refuse to pay the modest financial participation fixed by the tribunal?
The Nationality Law:
The most important discrimination against women in Lebanon is the Nationality Law.
The Lebanese nationality can only be given by the father to his children no matter where they are born. Men can also grant it to their foreign views while women can’t by any mean grant it to their foreign husband. In this law, discrimination also appears between the originally Lebanese mothers and the mothers that have acquired it through marriage. These naturalized mothers can give their children the nationality after the death of their father while Lebanese mothers by origin cannot do so.
A recent UNDP study states that during the period of 1995-2008, 18 000 Lebanese women married to foreigners were deprived from their right to nationality (which implies 80 000 men, children and women deprived from being Lebanese citizen).Sad to know, that the answer of the minister of interior affairs his Excellency Mr Baroud answered:” There is now way out, it’s a political issue.”
What are the solutions to overcome this national problem?
A saying in English states: “When there’s a will there’s a way”. If all the Lebanese women unify to overcome this problem, and try their best to amend these discriminative laws from the Lebanese constitution, they WILL be able to do so.
These are the solutions I propose:
- Impower Lebanese women and help them getting organized through committees whose only goal is to obtain their rights.
- Involve the civil society (NGO’s, Political parties, social organizations…) to form groups of pressure on the government.
- Collaborate with specialists in political sciences, sociology and demography, to make studies describing the impact of these discrepancies on women in Lebanon, and to point out the social problems these discriminations are causing.
- Use the different means of pressure (media, manifestations, petitions, statistic reports, conferences and strikes) to propagate the impact of these discrepancies.
- Work on the political structures, to try to change the laws and in the same time on the civil society to change the mentality and spread awareness trough educating the young Lebanese generations about their rights and duties.
- Finally, work towards laicization of the Lebanese society and implement civil marriage to cancel the inequalities and discrepancies caused by the personal status law.
In conclusion, though women suffer from discrimination in Lebanon awareness is increasing, I believe changes will come! This is what supports my say:
I have a dream, that one day my son and daughter will have equal rights and opportunities and will both be considered in Lebanon as full citizen.
I have a dream that one day, while walking on the street in any country of the world, I’m going to read “XXX’s company S.A.L and daughters”.
I have dream that one day, if I marry a foreigner my children will also be Lebanese
Finally, I have a dream, that one day such a subject won’t be given to students anymore, for it not being relevant.
Finalist in WLP’s Youth Essay Contest Group 1: 14-18 Years
Nadine K, Lebanon
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February 19th, 2010 at 11:33 am
I think what impressed me most about Nadine’s essay is her knowledge of the law as it applies to women in Lebanon. Her proposed solutions are concrete, concise, and complete. And her obvious passion and motivation for social change show that youth are not human rights leaders of the future–they are the human rights leaders of today.
I think Lebanon’s women (and in turn, Lebanon) have a great future ahead of them. Nadine is the proof!
February 20th, 2010 at 3:54 am
Judging from her age, I am most impressed with Nadine’s ability to rectify the issue, offering constructive solutions in a well-eloborated and matured manner.
Nonetheless, one suggestion is that, perhaps Nadine can make this essay more personalised? I mean like perhaps she can incorporate a bit more of her personal opinions and thoughts on the issue addressed, her feelings; so that the readers can personally relate themselves more with the issue addressed. Otherwise the whole essay may sound a bit too academic. After all, I suppose one of the aims this competition is held is to reach out to more people, people from all walks of life regarding issue on gender equality.
Just my two cents.
PS: Keep it up, Nadine. I can see a potential spokeperson for Lebanese women in you.=)
February 20th, 2010 at 10:11 am
I was very pleased to learned that I have been selected between the 5 finalists. Thank you Mr. Lopez for your comment and for giving all youngsters around the world the opportunity to share knowledge about the discrepancies against women in their countries.
February 20th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
This is an excellent article with a rich vocabulary and nice expressions , the best i read so far . Nadine seems to be an extraordinary and aware girl , who knows many things about her country . She worked really hard on the subject , analysed the problem and proposed many good solutions . And finally i can say that she’s really ambitous because at the end of her essay she shared with us her dream , and this should be the dream of every lebanease little girl . Congratulation Nadine and were all suporting you ! And don’t stop writing , your an excellent writer !
February 20th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
In my opinion, Nadine’s essay truly reflects the issues that Lebanese women have to deal with on a daily basis. The article houses some precise data, and the solutions given can actually be used on a global scale. Finally, the reference to Martin Luther King’s famous speech adds some originality to the otherwise excellent essay.
February 20th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
This is an excellent essay. Nadine uses touching words to express her idea. I think she worked very hard on it to get to this amazing result. Well done choosing the topic of legislation that is a very hard topic and we can point out the fact that she did lost of research because she explain clearely the discrimination against women that appear in the Lebanese Constitution, and your solutions are really relevant !
Congratulation Nadine ! :)
February 20th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
A world of knowledge and courtesy has welcomed young Nadine, and here she is, the winner! Defending her rights, women rights in this paradise, Lebanon, was her goal. She reached it by opening the minds of the biggest doctors in the world! Nadine Abi Kanaan, lebanese women just can express their feeling by saying one word, a word that says: thank you! Finally, a thousand of congratulations! You were, you are, and you will still, one of the most famous lebanese writer of the 21st century!
February 20th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
This Essay is surely great.
I am impressed by the content and rich vocabulary used, Nadine.
This truly is wonderful. And from what i have seen, you have worked really hard on this essay and you deserve winning.
The content is very interesting and grabbing according to the reader as well.
CONGRATSS.
February 20th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Congratulations Nadine! It’s really an excellent essay, you show us through your text that you are a very mature person for your age, that is aware of the discrimination against women in Lebanon! I wish best of lucks for the competition! well done!
February 20th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
This is an excellent essay! It really teaches us how women are treated in Lebanon and what should be fixed! nice work Nadine. I hope you”ll win because you really deserve it!
February 20th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I think this is an exellent article which I really enjoyed reading.
The development of the subject is really well structured subject and amazing. This essay is written in a convining and emotional way
with a rich vocabulary . Nadine did very well choosing the topic of legislation .
Congratulation Nadine , we are all proud of you ,you are an outstanding writer !
February 20th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I know this extraordenary WOMAN and i’m not surprised at all that she is able to wright such a butiful peace of arte. Her work realy represents today’s situation and it shows growth in a yong woman and its a realy conferting to know that she sertenly will have an important post that will affect our tomorow
February 20th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
this woman, wrote something that impressed me. wow, so young but so smart. she deserve the first place. she deserve to win. she deserve it, because she worked for it a lot, for many years. good luck..
February 20th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
This is the best essay i’ve read so far! I was really impressed with Nadine’s rich vocabulary! She seems to have worked hard on that essay so credits to you Nadine! Keep up the good work.
It really reminded me of Marther Luther King’s famous speech about discrimination and segregation of the Negro.
You honored Lebanon with this essay!
February 20th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Nadine analyzed very well the situation and proposed the exact solutions lebanese women need to obtain their rights. Through this essay she exposed the struggle women face and she pointed out the laws that are discriminating to women. Her dream is a dream shared by all the lebanese girls. She also showed that this problem is not only affecting women , but their children too. This is a nicely written essay that moved me and gave me hope for a change. Well done ! Keep on writing you will go very far.
February 20th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Wow, Nadine this is an amazing essay. she is a hundred percent right about what she says about the Lebanese women. I totally agree. Her essay has a rich vocabulary it describes exactly the situation in our country. It shows how much research she has done.
Wish you all the best Nadine! :)
February 20th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
This is fantastic. She talked about so many true facts happening in this country. She made a point, she had a goal. The injustice againt women’s right is so harsh in Lebanon, but she did what she had to do and stood up for her gender. She talked about the laws and rights and etc. in a mature way. She seems knowledged and I think she has done all the research required for a subject like this one.
Keep it up Nadine. All the best :)
February 21st, 2010 at 3:32 am
This essay is really great. We can see that Nadine is aware of the lebanese law that applies to women. In addition to that the solutions she proposed were very interesting. Nice job Nadine. You deserve to win.
Ps : The end of the essay was amasing
February 21st, 2010 at 3:57 am
I saw u researching, writing, questioning your information, you were really motivated and concerned about your essay. For your hard working, determination and involvement I’m so proud of you, you’re a great 14 years old daughter with a stunning maturity. Congratulation Nad.
February 21st, 2010 at 4:45 am
I think this is a ery motivating article.
Nadine has such good knowledge and she proved it when writing this.
I was impressed and I learned somethings about my country I didn’t know.
She explained her point of view in an amazing way that made all of us understand the message she wanted to send about women’s right in Lebanon.
She made an effort and she deserves the best.
I really hope this motivates everyone of us.
Keep up the good work Nadine.
February 21st, 2010 at 5:06 am
This essay is one of the best I’ve read. It has a rich vocabulary and a good content that impressed me! Her essay shows what a mature person is Nadine,and that she deserve to win! Good Luck Nadine !
February 21st, 2010 at 5:11 am
Wonderful essay!!! After reading your essay, we have the hope that the change will happen with your generation. Congratulations!!!!
February 21st, 2010 at 7:24 am
nice one :) ;)
February 21st, 2010 at 7:25 am
Oh my god! excellent essay! the best one i’ve read so far! your a mature intelligent young girl! keep up the good work and i hope that the women in your country will live a better life !
February 21st, 2010 at 11:31 am
I think wath Nadine said is really excellent. Actually , i come from lebanon and what you said is very true… I think you wrote the best essay in the world !!!!!!!!!
February 21st, 2010 at 12:28 pm
After reading Nadine’s essay, I learned so many important things that I did not know before!
I was not only impressed but revealed that a young girl like Nadine has such interest in that topic
It’s nice to finally see that someone has taken action in that matter, and THAT someone deserves to be the winner
Her use of facts, values, and proofs shows that she had not only made an effort but also that she manifested her potential using this stylistic way.
She did not only use her logic she also used her emotions; I could feel while reading her essay that she was talking from her heart! Telling us about her dream is a very valuable thing that showed her ambition but more importantly the ambition of Lebanon.
I loved what you wrote, I loved that you shared your dream with us
And surely I would love to see you a winner, because believe me YOU deserve it the most
Good luck .
February 21st, 2010 at 2:18 pm
After reading this essay , I was verry impressed , I wasnt consient of the issues of life , really here’s someone who deserves a chance of winnig .
You deserve it really , Good luck Nadine .
February 21st, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Waw nadine, your position is clearly expressed towards the sexism in Lebanon which gives more rights to men than women. I’m completely impressed, i hope you win, you deserve it. Good luck :)
February 21st, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Nadine’s essay is AMAZING ! I learned a lot of things, a lot of important things that will be carved in my heart .
Nadine is someone very special and she deserves to win !
Good Luck ! We are all with you
February 21st, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Nadines essay in my opinion is great, she wrote it with a rich vocabulary and its impressing for her age. Above that, she gave me the opportinuty to learn important things…
She really deserves to win. Good luck Nadine:)
February 21st, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Here’s somenone who deserves a chance of winning.
February 21st, 2010 at 3:03 pm
As i am a Lebanese citizen i can compare what Nadine is saying to the casual Lebanese life according to women … I can say that everything Nadine wrote is exactly what’s happening here in our country … As far as i’m concerned Nadine has wrote the best essay.
She managed perfectly well her english . She inspired me by many of her expressions . And the fact that Nadine justified herself and wrote her dreams that may come true made me noticed that she wrote with courage and passion this essay . Bravo Nadine
February 21st, 2010 at 4:02 pm
This is an intelligent, concise yet comprehensive piece of analysis, especially so coming from a 14 year old! I am extremely impressed by Nadine’s maturity, her ability to present the issues clearly yet with passion and not least with her proposed solutions that are thought throuhg and practical. Being Lebanese and married to a foreigner, I can especially relate to Nadine’s indignation relating to the nationality issue. It is shocking that my children will never be Lebanese – well, maybe with the likes of Nadine around, “Change, Yes we can believe in!”. Well done Nadine and best of luck! You have already achieved so much by raising awareness about the state of women in Lebanon. I am very proud of you.
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:06 am
Excellent essay, Nadine. you demonstrated a very clear and deep understanding of the problem and offered solutions that are practical and reasonable. With future citizens like you, we are in good hands. I am proud of you.
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:42 am
Your essay, Nadine, is a real eye-opener. You have done a wonderful job addressing the issue and suggesting ways to deal with it. Your personal touch — your dream –is the dream of all Lebanese women. I know my sister, who is married to a foreigner and a mother of four, will be thrilled to know that there are young people like you raising awareness on a woman’s right to give the Lebanese citizenship to her children.
I am proud of you for believing in yourself and working hard to express your thoughts.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:09 am
C’est vraiment impressionnant! D’abord du point de vue de la Forme: Nadine est la parfaite francophone qui a une plume facile et fluide en français! je découvre qu’elle s’exprime aussi bien dans la langue de Voltaire que dans celle de Shakespeare!La structure de son texte et la progression dans la pensée sont mises en évidence.
Quant au Fond: un grand Bravo pour la maturité et la profondeur avec lesquelles Nadine a traité le sujet. À voir Nadine, avec son regard enfantin, son sourire limpide et son côté puéril, je n’aurais jamais cru que c’est en même temps une personne mature, qui sonde le problème , qui cherche et recherche, qui investigue…faisant preuve de logique et de bon sens à la fois! D’ailleurs, je n’avais pas à me douter…cet esprit logique et rigoureux , elle m’en avait fait la preuve depuis sa première année au collège, durant les cours de mathématiques …BRAVO Nadine
Colette M.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:20 am
C’est très bien écrit Nadine!! Vu ton age et le style avec lequel tu écris, ça promet :) Bon courage, nous espérons que tu porteras toujours la parole des femmes libanaises en-deça du Liban.
Bonne chance!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:34 am
This essay is as much about Nadine’s determination than about its content. I asked how much Nadine researched, interviewed and worked on this essay – and just for that i am proud of Nadine – whatever the result of the competition. Determination whatever the gender or the cause – is what changes things. Nadine has been brought up to believe she has a role somewhere in changing the world for the better. If she does – then she – and we all – will have won.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:59 am
Nadine’s essay truly reflects the issues that Lebanese and all arabs women have to deal with on a daily basis.What Nadine is suggestion should a start to make her dreams a Lebanese reality.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:03 am
Your essay shows a thorough research on the Lebanese law. The suggestions offered are very pragmatic. Your piece of work has depth and maturity. Congratulations young woman! One cannot but be proud of you, Nadine.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:20 am
i think that you will win because your article is verry intresting i wil tell all my friends to comment !!!!! :P bravo we are all proud of you <3
good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:21 am
I like what you write, continue like that,i like the expressions you usedand everything you say in this text seems very smart…
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:06 am
Nadine, what you have presented is well researched and very true. I fully agree with you that the women’s situation in Lebanon can and should be better. The solutions that were presented will definitely come true simply because you have a vision. Congatulaions !
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:15 am
It’s so impressive and true. Your issue is commun to many of lebanese women. Excellent job nadine. keep it up.
Thank you so much.
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:21 am
I am impressed by Nadine’s age, 14 years mind, in reaching such a critical subject. Nadine is not a profit organization but simply a young individual tackling human issues and I am amazed by her mental ability to discuss women issues in Lebanon and this is a big start for other crucial issues on which Nadine will shed the light in the near future. Nadine is sending a message to the whole world to provide strategic views for women leaders and their role in society. My simple believe is that Nadine will soon start mainstreaming her thoughts through conferences and seminars on that specific subject…specially to the youth. If she has sufficient support to deliver her wonderful message, she will be contributing in constructing the men’s mind and hence will play a role in gender equity.
In her article, Nadine is raising the question “how can I help improve women’s rights”; as a volunteer to women in Lebanon, she brings a hot subject with her perfect thinking, offering the solution to those considered VIPs to go down to earth and secure the rights to women claiming nationality issues. Leaders and decision makers should face women’s capabilities and give them their rights.
It is heart opening to see a young girl approaching such an issue that existed since before she was born; don’t ever give up Nadine, we are counting on you and are sure that with your enthusiasm and spirit, Lebanon will solve this issue and many more…
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:40 am
Very well argumented Nadine ! I am happy that we’re two writing for woman’s rights today, and I hope all what we wish for will be realized one day ! I love how you state your dreams at the end ! I invite you to read my essay that is just below too, hehe ! Good look Nadine, see you soon :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:59 am
Bravo Nadine.You raised the problem in a professional manner and then you tried to find suggestions for solutions … Hope that the Lebanese goverment will take your words into consideration. What i liked most is your dream…. I adopt your dreams and it is the dream of every women in Lebanon. May be in the future WE can do something to let your dreams become true…
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:21 am
Bravo Nadine ! hope all your dream come true! Good luck!
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:26 am
Beautifully written. Keep up the good job Nadine! This is great!
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:27 am
Nadine i was really amazed, not about your capacities because you are capable of anything you put your mind to it, but about your great courage to entangle such a great subject, still tabou in our days. Your knowledge of the facts, the laws, the contradictions, and your finding the solutions specially from a 14 year old girl. Chapeau bas keepit up. Always pursue your dreams because they will become realities. Have faith in your country, in its people, given the opportunity they can move mountains. Women make the world go round. Congratulations
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:29 am
it’s a really great essay
wish you all the best, we are all proud of you
good luck !!
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:33 am
It’s a really great essay ,
we are all proud of you!
good luck!
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:36 am
Wonderfully researched and a great understanding of a complicated issue.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:40 am
Very well written.. with an intelligent and holistic reasoning. it opens the eye on the real challenges that Lebanese women have to deal with o a daily basis. the solutions posted By Nadine are really worth it to be studied.
And .. Nadine.. dreaming is the first step towards a better tomorrow. Remember.. Live your dreams, and your dreams will live.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:47 am
Nadine is a brilliant young student with superior knowledge and writing. Her essay describes her personal feelings and let us see and understand perfectly clear the situation presented before us. And the true part that really touched me (a professor of literature in harvard) is the final part where she quotes Martin Luther King Jr. with the 4 words we will never forget “I Have A Dream”. Well done Nadine! Hope you win this contest.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
Bravo nadine! C’est un exellent article j’ai adore! J’espere que tout tes reve se realise!
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:54 am
Obviously, Nadine’s effort and work is an outstanding one considering her age. Her extensive research and individual ideas combine to form logical and possibly appliccable propositions. Out of all the essays, this is the one that stands out since the issue brought up is recent, the research carried out reflects hard work and interest from her part, and the structure, diction, and ideas are well thought of. Good Luck Nadine
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:57 am
Wonderful essay. I hope our dream will come true!
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:00 am
I think nadine’s essay is fantastik she is a great writer
I’m sure that she will be the voice of millions of women
Suffering all over the world . She deserve to win compared to her young age
I wish you luck nad ;) you deserve it
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:03 am
Thumbs up to the full comprehension of this critical subject that Nadine shows in her essay. She tackled a very pertinent issue on behalf of women and their families.She presented the problem and offered solutions.Thank you Nadine for your vision.
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:04 am
Congratulations Nadine! you really did a well essay!
It’s really an excellent essay!
Wish u best of lucks for the competition!
Well done!
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:04 am
Congratulations Nadine! Excellent article! I hope all your dreams come true!
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:13 am
Well done! Great article
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:20 am
This essay is brilliant. Through this essay, Nadine was able to speak for every woman in Lebanon in a professional, posed and clever manner. Her deep understanding of this critical issue as well as her research, amazed me and showed how truly involved she is in defending women’s rights. I am glad that there are people like her who defend this matter with maturity. Thank you Nadine for this beautiful piece of writing.
PS: I loved the part where you were inspired by Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have A Dream”. Truly brilliant.
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:25 am
very nice. your feelings toward this issue were clearly expressed. I wish you the best of luck and hope you win!
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:44 am
Nadine,avec ta determination, ta maturite, et ta vision, tu as toutes les chances de reussir…j’espere que tu continueras toujours a lutter pour que la condition de la femme s’ameliore au Liban…courage et Bonne chance !!!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:52 am
Nadine your essay is great it made me open my eyes on such important issues in my country.
Your essay is The best, it is well structured and reflects a great english vocabulary .
We can be proud to have a spokeswoman like you in our country.
Good luck ,and i am sure that you will go home with the first price.
You are very wise .
keep up the brilliant work
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:57 am
Good job .
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Iam very impressed by the style of the words chosen for this is essay. They are used in their proper meaning. And it clearly shows thats you’ve put effort into researching, and supporting your ideas.
Keep up the good work nadine :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
great!! nicely put, clear thought.s in brief: awesome… good luck
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Bravo Nadine, excellent essay. I will add one more dream: i hope that every lebanese women will read your essay and will stand for her rights more seriously.
good luck
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Congratulations for your excellent work Nadine..The way you presente the issues and the solutions in an objective way is just great..
I’m sure that with young women like you ,these dreams will become a reality very soon….
We’re proud of you….
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Cngratulations NADINE….
Tu ecris troo bien <3
U will win the 1st prize for ur text
Great article
GOOD LUCK
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Absolutely brilliant! One of the most renowned issues concerning justice in Lebanon handled in a very ardent yet informative manner. I believe that the research attributed to this essay exudes of commitment and dedication, and it is this determination that influences others into believing that impossibility is an illusion. I would have loved to see more personal touches to the essay. Personal opinions might have touched the hearts of more readers, but the handling of the topic in a creative way was enough to draw their attention. Women can do just about anything men can do if not better. We are all human and if justice depends on a Y-chromosome then what will become of our future? What examples are we setting for tomorrow’s generations? What’s next? I believe this essay takes awareness to a whole new level, where something so controversial and so talked about might finally be converted to actions. Talk is cheap but it is the actions that are the words’ value in gold. Reading this article is the 1st step to revolutionizing stereotypical mentalities, being inspired to act out is the next! Well done!
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:19 pm
NADINE!
wonderful news…congratulations and u truly deserve it
it is a wonderful and funny essay
ur essay kept me interested all the way through
u showed so much depth and understanding of the Lebanese laws that i never saw in you
u have a talent in writing and very creative solutions for our beloved country
well done!
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
This is an exellent essay , instructive and intresting. She expanded her vocabulary and expresed her ideas in a clear way . Congralations Nadine I enjoyed reading your essay , you kepf me intrested the whole time and i’m very impressed by your capacities in writting , you showed us that you are attached to your contry.
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Great essay ! Made me understand a lot about women’s rights in lebanon cause someone really close to me passed thru a story similar to what your talking about in your essay ! this surely is a wonderful essay ! Congratulations
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Great essay nadine ! This is brilliant work, you are an excellent writer.
I loved this sentence : ” I have a dream that one day, while walking on the street in any country of the world, I’m going to read “XXX’s company S.A.L and daughters”.
I’m really impressed. I truly see your understanding and maturity towards this subject. I hope you will win, you deserve it ! Keep it up, and good luck !!
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Sincerely I was blown away by this essay, this isn’t close to the level where she is in (9th grade) , plus the topic is a very good one , what i was impressed with is that she can discern between different laws and cultures, although you’re still in 9th grade it’s flagrant that you have a very bright futur, congratulations and good luck , i’m sure you will win!
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:50 pm
This essay is brilliant!
We are all proud of you
Wishing you good luck
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:52 pm
The essay is wonderful!!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:54 pm
This is really an exellent essay which have truly won its place between the 5 finalist. It reflects exactly the women’s situation in Lebanon without any exageration and I read it with pleasure. Congratulation Nadine!
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Tres interressant jai appri pa mal dchose a traver ton document. Bien recherche. Good Job !
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:54 pm
WOW!
Good luck :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:54 pm
This essay has opened my eyes to a great issue and serious problem in Lebanon. I was amazed to find out, even though I knew that women’s rights where less valued in Lebanon, that these discriminating rules influenced women’s custody rights. I, having lived in Lebanon formally and reading this essay in another country, am chocked to find out that my rights where so minimal, in comparison to men. Women are equally – and even more capable at most times – of taking care of there children!
But I am somewhat relieved to know that many people are aware of this problem and are willing to make a change! Nadine, it is extremely brave and even heroic of you to enter this contest! I am proud and honored to know that you are my friend, and to know that you have dreams and ideas that you are willing to carry out in life. I will certainly help you in any way possible!
There is nothing that should stop you in fulfilling your dreams and I know, with most certainty, that there are so many people willing to help you in grater ways than I can! I am deeply proud and grateful that you are doing this for us Lebanese women! For no matter what the law says, if you feel like a Lebanese, you always will be Lebanese!
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Bonne Chance!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:03 pm
This essay is great!
Good luck :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I think that Nadine expressed her opinion through a rich and a hard vocabulary
This impressive essay made me know more about woman’s rights in Lebanon
Well done :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:30 pm
I think this is a amazing essay, and I’m still kinda blown away! I didn’t know anything about this issue before I read this, and it scares me that not more people focus on women rights in Lebanon. I’ll spread the message!
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Bravo Nadine – I am so happy to know that a young woman like you are aware of the discrimination between woman and men in Lebanon. I hope many will join in the debat and do something to change this injustice. Really well done.
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:42 pm
I am so pleased to see that so many of you are supporting me and the cause I’m defending and it proves to me that by holding hands we’re gonna be able not only to dream about amending all the discriminative laws against women but to realize that dream!I really want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart and specially my English teacher that has encouraged me to participate, I want to thank as well the director of my school and all the members of the administration, my friends, my family and LAST BUT MOST IMPORTANT my MUM for always being by my side to support me ! Thank you all members of CEDAW organization and THANK you Mr. Lopez!
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:46 pm
When reading Nadine’s essay, I couldn’t but admire various aspects of her approach that could be summarized in my following views:
First: Although, very simply Nadine started her essay by addressing the common shallow misconception about Lebanese women she has addressed a very deep and thorough subject governing our society. I am just amazed of her maturity in noticing it.
Second: Nadine not only gave a well structured general overview on how men have an advantage over women in Lebanon she also supported her statements by concrete examples of laws governing this imbalance.
Third: the flow of her thoughts was so logical and eloquent that you are taken by the text right into the amazing end.
Fourth: Not only stating the facts was supported by concrete examples but also the presentation of solutions were so concrete that one stands startled before a text that many elder writers would not have given such a pragmatic solution. I would also add to Nadine’s suggestion about NGOs and specialists the role that the youth can play to help achieve this change.
Fifth: Last but not least Her knowledge and aspiration are all over the text with an amazing inspiration from Luther King’s famous “ I have a Dream” statement to give the essay an amazing twist towards a very inspiring end
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
It’s really great nadine, I’m really pround of you. You are expressing for all of us our wish.
It’s not only your dream, but it is all ours.
Whatever is going to be the result, you reveald in me something that I did not know before and I am always going to fight for.
I congratulate you for that.
Good luck my friend.
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I am working on development projects involving the issue of gender equity and empowerment of women in their communities; I am really impressed by the concise research that you have done and the straight forward and clear message you are sending through this essay; I thought that through development initiatives we can make a change but now you are drawing my attention that more should be done and drastic actions should be taken; thank you Nadine and I am sure you can play an important role in this…
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:03 pm
With Nadine any reader can consider himself the humble associate of a real militant against gender discrepancy ,she makes a real woman civil rights protectors out of all of us,her essay ,real and complete ,draws the truth like it is,,,we applause her enthusiasm.
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Nadine – I like you, hope that all those dreams come true!
I learned stuff from your article that i didn’t even know before which sort of shocked me!
It is sad to see that Lebanon advances in all aspects except very important ones like this.
Hope your voice will be heard!
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I hope ur dreams come true…
gdluck
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:55 am
Nadine has a thorough knowledge of the topic she’s dealing with in this essay.All the information she divulges is accurate & concise.
The solutions she suggests are also very interesting!
Good luck Nadine
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:26 am
Great job! it’s good to know someone is aware of what’s going on. very impressive.. :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:27 am
Great essay! I loved your use of rich voacabulary. The reference of the famous Martin Luther King’s speech gave it a special touch.:D
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:53 am
Dear Nadine:
I read every word of your essay and very impressed by the information and elaboration you have given. I encourage this subject a lot especially that I have worked in the States and in Lebanon, so I can see the discremenation for women with regards to what you have discussed. I can also add the right of women when the spouse passes away with regards to her children, also her right to open a bank account for her minor child as legally she is not allowed to, only the father can. I liked the solutions you have given and encourage that an action will be done. Good luck and hope your words can change the fact.
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:00 am
Bravo Nadine pour tes efforts! Ce que tu as dit est très vrai . Nous les Libanaises, nous nous sommes pas tous semblables. Bravo la Courageuse!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:52 am
Dear Nadine
Congratulations. IC is so proud of you. We learned a lot from your essay, it shows a lot of maturity and reflects your deep knowledge concerning this subject. I can see you an activist in women’s rights. Good luck!
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:19 am
I am very impressed that at your age you could debate such an important issue in a very concise, scientific and clear way.In deed change has to come with the help of persons like you that can be role models to other less fortunate women in society.
You deserve the best.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:23 am
Congratularion Nadine! You really deserve to win! Your essay has cought my attention and it’s really rich in vocabulary research and expressions1 BEST OF LUCK !!
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:26 am
Great article Nadine! Well done!
You proved not only great understanding of the Lebanese Law, but also motivation, enthusiasm and involvement.
You are encouraging all of us to embark with you in your journey. Your dreams are our dreams too, but unfortunately we were never on the right track. I am sure your path will lead us someway. Keep it up we are with you on this cause.
Thank you.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:15 am
I am working on development projects involving the issue of gender equity and empowerment of women in their communities; I am so impressed by your work,i am sure that the message you are sending through this essay is making a difference, a change:)THANK YOU NADINE
“BRAVO”
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:54 am
I enjoyed reading your article!Your family must be very proud of you!Hope that your dreams which are the dreams of plenty of lebanese will soon come true…..
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:19 am
It is a very well written article!! It talks specificly about the womans problem in lebanon and give very good solutions!! Well done
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:24 am
Your essay reflects our thinking, Nadine. Our laws should be revised and we should all unite in order to change things despite political reluctance. I have one comment though: all Lebanese women endure discrimination, even the rich ones… With all my support.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:24 am
very nice piece of writing nadine….wish u the very best!!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:26 am
wow this is real good :D keep it and hope ur dreams come true :D tc and really this is good :D
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:26 am
It’s an amazing essay which i think will help inspire many women to band together for this cause.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:28 am
I think that Nadine did a very good job elaborating about the laws and I was truly impressed with her knowledge about women’s rights in Lebanon and the laws to match them. I fully agree with her concepts and believe that if everyone works together then the problem can be solved using her very efficient solutions. It’s honestly a wonderfull, awesome essay!
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:29 am
Great job, this essay correctly shows the problems and solutions regarding women in Lebanon. Hopefully, one day we will be able to see past race and sex and solve these problems.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:30 am
Nadine has excelent Backround on the laws oof women here in Lebanon, and in addition i agree with her 100% women should have more rights in Lebanon.essay truly reflects the issues that Lebanese and all arabs women have to deal with on a daily basis.What Nadine is suggestion should a start to make her dreams a Lebanese reality.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 am
congratulations :D your essay is very well written and i love how you state your dreams in the end…you are an amazing writer! you deserve to win it shows that you worked very hard on your essay :) best wishes and good luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:34 am
This was an excellent essay written really professionally. Now I am more aware of womens rights and I believe that women need to be more respected and treated better in Lebanon, Middle East and the world. Good Luck!
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:35 am
Hi Nadine,
i really enjoyed reading your essay and you are a 100% correct. i do believe that women are intitled to more rights and i hope that u win and become the best of the best
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:35 am
This essay is great! It is very clear and interesting. it is also very clear, detailed, and dow to the point. Great job! I found the points so intriguiging and some of them I never knew about.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:37 am
Nadine , i loved your essay cuz i learned a lot from it.. some of this info i nevr knw :P… it is impresive how you can write like tht at your age :) contineu doing what you do and gd luck <3
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:39 am
Women , its a very vauge subject that can bring many thoughts to mind. The thought you are bringing definetly touched my mind. I learned a lot from what you had to say. I admire your opinion and strive to do the same. Very well written and spoken, good luck !! :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:39 am
Congradulations!:D It’s a very good essay with good points and suggestions. Great job!:)Hope all your dreams come true.:P best wishes…
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:41 am
Your essay is very inspiring and it makes people think more about the rights of women. I’m sure that just by reading your essay, many people will be inspired to fight for women. I hope your dreams will one day come true and its interesting that this is the first time I actually thought about companies always having “XXX SAL and SONS” :D Congratulations for being one of the top winners and I wish you goodluck. :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:44 am
wow !! WOW !!
seriously its amazing !!! especially that ur a french educated student which makes it surprising :)
great job ! keep up the good work !
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:51 am
With young people like Nadine to champion women’s rights, change will indeed happen in our country, in our lifetime!
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:12 am
I was very impressed by Nadine’s article and interest and knowledge in this area. She elaborated the subject in such profound and yet easy way to be understood by everyone and what was most important is that she elaborated solutions in the hope that they will be applied. I am so proud of you! Keep up this great work in the hope of new articles from you elaborating different important issues!
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:12 am
Your essay was great i learned alot of things that some of them i never knew before good job…
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:16 am
This is an amazing articale.I think evryone should read this because it really opens ur eyes to certain issues in our country.
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:19 am
This was a very intersesting topic. The title was catching and the points were well focused on. I liked the points you stressed on.
Good Luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:19 am
Good essay it is right that in Lebanon the goverment doesn’t respect the law,but if we can just sit and talk about this problem it can be solved
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:29 am
this essay truly shocked me ! living on a ” low ” level in society i have never been able to tell that such discrimination is taking place around me and that i , along with many other women , am living under these laws. i admire you for allowing people to be aware of this situation and hopefully to , as you have done , take action. Personally , i will also be living with this thought in the back of my head hoping to one day bring to everyone elses’. well done , and good luck !! :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 7:58 am
i learned information i never knew before and that women are cool :) see u btw its really amazing with rich vocabuulary
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:06 am
It is a great essay and I loved the strtegies you proposed. Good Luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:39 am
This is a great essay, very straight to the point and well written!
i hope that the solutions you proposed will some day be carried out. There is some information i didn’t know and it really opened my eyes to womens rights in Lebanon.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:54 am
nadine you are very talented ! you wrote an amazing essay . Your knowledge impressed me alot ! keep up the good work , indeed excellent ! :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:58 am
i really liked it :)
good luck Nadine !
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:59 am
Amazing article Nadine! Your vocabulary is so rich and impressive and the way you express yourself is excellent! Best article I read, concerning “The Women’s Rights in Lebanon” . Keep it up and good luck!
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:06 am
I think it’s a good essay, Nadine has shown the world the Lebanese womsn’s discriminaton in a good style and acceptable language. On the other hand, she shouldn’t start senteces with “but”.
Anyways, good luck Nadine I love you so much.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:10 am
I am in utter shock after having read this plea for egalitarianism, not only because your mother tongue isn’t even English, but because you managed to relay with such eloquence and astuteness possible solutions to a pressing issue in Lebanon that many a young mind tend to ignore.
I think you have succeeded in shedding light on a matter that many have turned a blind eye to in Lebanon, and with that I wish you luck!
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:18 am
Chère Nadine,
Ton texte traduit vraiment le désir que chaque libanaise a en elle de devenir plus libre et d’acquérir plus de droits.
Je ne te connais pas vraiment, mais a travers ces quelques lignes, je peux te dire que tu es une jeune fille très mature ayant une très forte personnalité.
Je suis sure que tes mots ne resteront pas postés uniquement sur cette page web, mais marqueront de manière efficace nous libanais.
You make us feel that change should happen !
Bravo, je suis fière de toi !
SN
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:20 am
I learned new information that i never knew from before!! This is so cool
good luck
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:21 am
It is a very very good essay and I like this !
it is right that in Lebanon the goverment doesn’t respect the law,but if we can just sit and talk about this problem it can be solved .
Good work !
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:26 am
Im really impressed with Nadine’s essay :)
She really has put her effort in writing it, with her rich and correct vocabulary/english .
Keep up the good work :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:38 am
nice :) i truly believe that it is the minory that are rich that judge us woman!
i like the way u analyzed :)
good job nadine :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:40 am
Bravo Nadine!!
Being a lebanese mother of three daughters, I dream with you
for change, and I hope that by the time my daughters become young adults, men and women become equal in all aspects.
Youth like yourself are our hope for the future.
Best of luck and keep it up!
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:41 am
Nadine truly put effort and work in writing an extraordinary essay. Giving that you Nadine, are french educated, you were able to write a very, indeed, nice essay. You were able to convey your ideas quiet freely, and truly showed us, lebanese, our faults. And us, lebanese woman, the true side of being a lebanese woman.
Congrats, very nice article! xx
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:23 am
Hi Nadine!!
Congraulations for being one of the top 5 students in world!
I just read your essay and I was surprised by your language usage and your very rich vocabulary eventhough you are a french educated student. I was also impressed by your general knowledge about Lebanon.
Keep up the good work Nadine!
Congrats again!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
nadine i never saw a better essays than yours and riad’s after all you guys are right about all the women’s rights. And congratulations for arriving til this stage of the contest :) !
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Nadine, congratulations for your amazing job on writing this essay!
You have done a really remarkable work, put in great effort, and you have shown to the world what being a Lebanese woman is like. By reading this article, I learned many new things I didn’t know despite me being victim of the issue itself. We just hope we had more people like you to make the world a better place,
again, congrats, good luck x
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Nadine your subject made me think before reaching my comment,this subject is of great importance in the Middle East where women are deprived from their rights,the subject made remember 50 years ago when my mother and grand mother suffered from this inequality,I hope they were alive to read your essay, it would have given them courage, please keep the good spirit and make our world possible to reach a simple right,thank you sweet little girl
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:12 pm
this is a very impressive essay i learned lots of new things about women’s rights in lebanon.I think that it is a real succes …
Good luck Nadine :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:53 pm
congrats, thats a great one :) :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:54 pm
This essay is amazing! I really hope lebanese women will get their fully rights!
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Nadine this is a very good essay !! I learned many new things about women’s right in Lebanon !! Great job !! good luck and congratulation!! xx :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
AMAZING!
Well done Nadine!
I am really impressed that at your age you can elaborate your ideas in such a mature way with a perfect english.
I wish you the best and I hope all your dreams come true.
GOOD LUCK Nadine!
:)
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Very true. The issues are addressed in a casual and understandable way. The style is incredible and the facts are presented in a neat and clear fashion. Good work Nadine! Best of luck!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I was really impressed by nadine’s essay!!It reflected the problem of every women in our country.I also learned a lot of new things about women’s rights in Lebanon.Wich you the best and the first place =)
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:05 pm
This is an excelent essay Nadine !
You point out the essentiel things with a rich vocabulary !
I’ve learned many things thanks to your article,
I admire u and hope your dream comes true
Congrats !
Wish u al the best !
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Great essay!!I really like how clear and simple the essay is , we really can comprehend everything.I also liked the fact that she seems to have worked hard on it and did some research, i also find the essay very rich and not at all boring thanks to the interesting words she used.
Great job!!good luck u deserve to win!!:)
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:11 pm
WOWWWWWWWW!!!
Excellent Job Nadine!
“Your dream” is the dream of all Lebanese Women and I fully agree with your thoughts and your concept.
Good Luck!!!
THE WINNER hopefully!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:15 pm
This is honestly the best I have read so far! Actually my jaw dropped while reading this. It is done with extreme care, it has an amazing style, well developed, truly, in one single word: Amazing. This really shows us what the Lebanese women have to endure every day. This deserves to win
Nadine you made an excellent job :)
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:19 pm
the essay is well written and I’ve learned a lot about women rights
good luck nadine!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:19 pm
I read your essay and was really impressed, Nadine! Congrats for arriving at this stage! It’s just wonderful.
Good luck !
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I read carefully your essay Nadine! The dimensions you are tackling are very important for women in Lebanon and the Arab world. However what seems to me of a major importance is that to solve a problem you first have to accept the fact that this problem exist in the society, and that’s is what you have courageously done in researching deeply the subject. Anyways great job! You really deserve to win because of your excellent essay and your concrete solutions. Well done young girl!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Wonderful essay Nadine . I enjoyed reading it and encourage you to continue . Good luck and congratulations !:)
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I find this essay the best of them all, I really loved it, and especially that it was inspired by Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream”
I really hope that the Lebanese women will soon find a way out of those problems, we all deserve equal rights.
Nadine you are an excellent writer, considering your young age! Very good job, best of luck.
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:42 pm
AMAZING!
I am really impressed that at your age you can elaborate such mature ideas and deep thoughts in a perfect english knowing that you are french educated!
WELL DONE Nadine!
I wish all your dreams come true!
GOOD LUCK!!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:46 pm
WOW !! what an excellent article! The most important is to work on the solutions in the future. Nadine, who was an excellent student in my science classes, is a sweet and mature young women.
I wish you all the best. Good work Nadine.(l)
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Nadine, I love your work and article ! Yes our laws in all parts related to women rights need re-visiting ASAP.
I found your conclusion very impactful and well written. I hope your dreams come true :)
Best of luck !
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Nadine thumbs up! Impressive and valuable material. keep it up and dont give up, we need young people with your eagerness and determination in our beloved country!
best wishes!
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:24 pm
The subject is very interesting , and your style in writing is amazing Nadine! Keep it up!! Best wishes :D <3
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Bravo Nadine! you did a very coherent presentation of the issue. You also offered constructive solutions in a well-eloborated essay. It is so relieving to know that young women are aware of the problem. Good luck! Keep it up!
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Nadine wnoderfull essay u have develloped your ideas in a brilliant and mture way !! I realy hope that all the efforts you have putten on this work will once be satisfied !! Congratulations and i wish you good luck!!
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Very nice article! It’s very well wrote and you really get people to see the problem. I didn’t knew a lot about Africa and Lebanon especially, but now I see that Lebanon has a very big problem :/
But very well done. Keep it up :)
February 24th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Dear Nadine,
I am deeply moved by your essay. Your reflection is profound and the essay is truly eye opening. I share all your dreams about equal rights in Lebanon, and in the rest of the world. You are passionate about the topic and I am convinced that you will never give up on your dream!
I am so proud of you!
Warm wishes,
Ms. Jaana
February 24th, 2010 at 1:46 am
Des recherches approfondies et un travail sérieux aboutissent toujours. Bravo Nadine!J’éspère que plus tard tu feras partie de ceux qui se mobiliseront pour l’égalité entre la femme et l’homme dans le monde, mais surtout au Liban.
Félicitations!
February 24th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Nadine!!
Congratulations for being one of the top 5 students in world!, This is an
excellent article with real solutions.
Good Luck ! keep it up!
February 24th, 2010 at 2:40 am
Nice job, Nadine! I think you have the energy and the good thought process to be one of the young women who will organize her peers to achieve the social change you desire. May you find much success!
February 24th, 2010 at 2:41 am
Nadine this is an excellent essay. I hope that your dream comes true and this issue in not even relevant in future generations.
Josh Colvin
February 24th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Well Nadine, I have to congratulate you on the importance of the subject you tackled; it is really a shame, that in a nice country like Lebanon, we still abide to these ruthless laws.
I believe that the way you presented your case and its content are excellent, and that with individuals like you fighting for such causes, solutions and results can be achieved.
Congratulations
February 24th, 2010 at 7:25 am
exellent essay iknow you worked very hard you talked about this every single day in the bus
February 24th, 2010 at 7:45 am
i think this is a very good essay. it really helps us see what poor women are going through every day. it help me open my eyes to the way women should really be treated and to their rights.
February 24th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Excellent essay :)
February 24th, 2010 at 8:06 am
exellant essay nadine good luck
February 24th, 2010 at 8:06 am
very nice essay! you’re really the best!
you should really win because of your hard work and determinations!
best of lucks nadine!
February 24th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Great work Nadine. I love your clear thinking. Well done!
February 24th, 2010 at 8:26 am
I am very amazed in front of the knowledge of Nadine on the laws and the power of the women in the Lebanon! This text is very convincing and it so shows that the women in Lebanon can obtain right equals to the men. So in french, Bravo ! Je te félicite :)
February 24th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Wowwww !! Exellent essay :)
Nice job nadine !
I hope you win
February 24th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Nadine it’s a exellent essay u wrote! The best i’ve read! You really deserve to win because your esay shows a high level of research and a perfect management of the english language even though u are french educated :):) ! Best of luck U really deserve to win!
February 24th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Nadine I really loved your essay because it reflects very well the conditions of women in Lebanon! You gave concrete examples and solutions and you exposed the problem very well! You really deserve to win because we can obviously notice through out your essay that you know perfectly well the Laws of your country and that u did lots of research! Best of Luck!
February 24th, 2010 at 8:52 am
Very nice essay. It was well written. Hope you can change the world with this. Hope you win.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Congratulations Nadine! Excellent Essay! You really impressed me!
Good luck!
February 24th, 2010 at 9:19 am
wow Nadine your essay is inspiring. Great work and great solutions. Good luck .
February 24th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Thank you all for your comments, I really appreciate! After all it shows me that we are all unified to defend a good cause ! :) Let us all dream together of a world of peace and equality where all kinds of discrimination will be amended!
February 24th, 2010 at 9:31 am
i liked that article a lot because Nadine expressed in it the true condition of women in Libanon.We can see that she did a lot of research!! hope you’re gonna win, you deserve it a lot!! GOOD LUCK NADINE!
February 24th, 2010 at 9:37 am
gongrats nadine! amzing essay and idea! hope u win
February 24th, 2010 at 10:07 am
When there is a will,there is a way :) Nadine, you lightened up a will in every one of us, and hope that the way to fulfill the dream will also start from this essay :) Congratulations !
February 24th, 2010 at 10:14 am
uff bravo nadine !!! ;)
comment tu u la pasience decrire tout sa
C EXELLENT !!!
GOOD LUCK :D
amazing continu kome ca ! !
U
February 24th, 2010 at 10:17 am
v. v. nice essay !! Good luck!!
February 24th, 2010 at 10:57 am
great job nadine this is wonderful you deserve to win good luck!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:00 am
awesome of you nadine !!!
keep it up and best of luck !!! :)
bisous x
February 24th, 2010 at 11:01 am
What an splendid peace of art nadine
Exelent work
February 24th, 2010 at 11:01 am
this is incredibly great !!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:03 am
wooowwwwww great texteeee!!
Good luck
February 24th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Perfect essay, with no lies or inacurate details.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Very interesting essay, outstandingly written. It contains alot of useful information which should be subjected to other students.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Wow nadine ! you have got incredible writing skills .. I hope you’re dream will come true and you’ll have success !!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:14 am
superb writing nadine!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:16 am
great job!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:18 am
bravo nadine
February 24th, 2010 at 11:26 am
nadine,im speechless…its an excellent job, this essay correctly shows the problems and solutions regarding women in Lebanon.i Hope that someday the Lebanese goverment will take your essay into consideration.
you are an excellent writer who deserves to win..
February 24th, 2010 at 11:30 am
this article makes people very aware about the problems in our country and what is happening. Nadine has used extremely rich vocabulary and well supported statements to write this out. i completely agree with what she has written.
BRAVO!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Well written essay. Wish you all the best !
February 24th, 2010 at 11:36 am
EXELLENT ESSAY ! U DESERVE TO WIN!!! good luck!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:40 am
This is a very remarquable and impressive essay. Nadine you deserve to win this! Good luck!:)
February 24th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Amazing essay Nadine!!! Wishin’ you the best! Good luck!!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:46 am
This is a well documented essay with many realistic and interesting solutions. Nadine is aware of the problem that Lebanese women have to face, and makes us understand them too. I loved the conclusion, especially the last sentance.. Good luck Nadine, hope you win, you deserve it.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Nadine!! Wow! im reaaly impressed by your essay and i hope that your dreams about women’s rights will come true!! Good Luck!
February 24th, 2010 at 11:58 am
woooowwww it’s so right
February 24th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Tres fiere de toi, Nadine! Bravo!
February 24th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Good luck i liked your essay
February 24th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
it was amazing.wow! she taught me alot of things. you deserve to win.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Nadine,
To start, your essay was concise and to the point. Next, it shows that you put a lot of effort into the makings of this article, and to see that it comes from such a young person is so impressive. As a Lebanese woman born in the United States, I hope that our dreams as strong, educated Arab women will come true, and your solutions will be utilized.
We have to keep working at it, but eventually we will achieve our goal as being equal to men.
Thank you for such an interesting article.
-Dina Azar
February 24th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Nadine,
I was very impressed with your work to make such a thought provoking article. You truly exposed the root of the problem in a logical way. It can be considered an accurate explication of the Lebanese mentality and the state of the Lebanese woman within society.
Your solutions are wonderful, yet utopic.
Hoping women of your age will have the courage to change everything and to get the Lebanese woman all of her rights.
-Joumana Azar
February 24th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
wow this is amazing! good luck.. you really opened my eyes
i’m very hopeful these dreams will come true :D
February 24th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
A very beautifully written and well organized essay.
I think it deserves to win.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Very interesting essay
hope you win
February 24th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Well Nadine, when you told me about your article i did not expect to read something as interesting, as elaborate and at the same time as clearly presented as that. We do know about those inequalities and sometimes we choose the easy solution, we bury our head in the sand and let someone else handle it. After reading your article, i think that no one should accept to be a follower. We must all unite because this dream is the dream of every one of us, of our mothers, our aunts, our neighbors, our friends, and specially our daughters. So in fact Nadine, it doesn’t matter if you win or loose because, by raising this problem, and making so many people aware of it,i think you are already a winner.
Congratulations! keep up the good work!
February 24th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
WOW!! it gr8 especially that u r french educated its surprising:D:D keep it up gr8!!
February 24th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Well done Nadine & good luck ! :D
February 24th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
way to go nadine ! amazing essay .. wish u the best, u deserve it :)
February 24th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
i was impressed that a girl that young knows that much
i share the same dreams !
i wish you win cause you’re the most that deserves it
good luck
February 24th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
WOW Nadine.
I liked your english vocabulary, its very rich.
And I think thats its a really good thing that a girl in this age knows these things and how women are treated.
I encorage you to continue persevering your efforts because you could achienve very good things in life.
Bravo
February 24th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
bravo nadine tu es la meilleure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
great job Nadine :) !
good luck. x
February 24th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
WOW nadine .. u deserve to win !!! great job :D
February 24th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
brrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaavvvvvvvvoooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Nadine! your essay is a success, well structured with very intersting solutions. congratulations. Good luck :)
February 24th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Excellent rhetoric essay Nadine. Keep it up :)
February 24th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
After i read Nadine’s essay, i learned so many new things that actually impressed me :) C’est exelent Nadie 3njd continu comme sa:) u deserve to win
100%
GOOD LUCK :)
February 24th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
It’s a exellent essay Nadine!
hope you’re gonna win.
Good luck.
February 24th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Bravo :) Bonne chaaance !!!
February 24th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Well written Nadine ! You really deserve to win it shows that you worked very hard on your essay :) Good luck :)
February 24th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Congratulations for your excellent work Nadine.
i Wish you all the best!
February 24th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Congratulations Nadine !!!!! This article is excellent !
I’m very proud of you :p
Keep on
February 24th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Nadine thanks to your essay i’m now aware of women disicrimination in lebanon, it’s very dissapointing and deceiving to see that in 2010 there are still this kind of issues in our country. I really liked your conclusion reffering to martin luther king’s speach i have a dream… beautifull :)
February 24th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
really nice essay nadine.. hope you win xx :)!
February 24th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Nadine your essay is really excellent and impressing! I was very touched when i read it because what u are saying is co true! Your essay is fascinating, it’s scientific and emotional in the same time! the end is very nice! You really deserve to win! Best of luck!
February 24th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Bravo Nadine
Excellent article.Very well done. A lot of logique and critical thinking.
You ideas are great.Wish you the best.
February 24th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Oulala Nadine c’est excellent! Bonne chance, tu m’herites de gagner en tout cas;)
February 24th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
This is an excellent and impressive work that you’ve made Nadine . Congratulations! I wish you all the best!
February 24th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Nadine, i’m amazed by this essay. No words can even describe what i’m feeling right now. Just by reading it, it lightened up my day.. you have a very elegant way of writing, plus , you used a very developped and rich vocabulary which prooves how mature you are. Keep up the good work, i wish you the best of luck :)
February 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
bravo nadine !!bonne chancee et j’espere que tu va gagner:)
February 24th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Nice work Nadine! the issue you discussed is very interesting
February 24th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I agree with you Nadine. I really liked the creative ending.
Good luck :)
February 24th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
excellent work nadine!!
impressing essay
February 24th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Truly Brilliant Nadine!!! I believe u had great elaboration and the end product was faboulous and touched me soo much!! I am greatly proud of ur work!
I enjoyed reading every part of it!!
Great intro….until your outstanding conclusion!!!!!
I do not believe it could have been done any better than that!!!!
EXELLENT AND TERRIFIC WORK NADINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
wow nadine!! it is clear that you put great efforts in this esssay!
keep up the good work
February 24th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
NADINE WHEN YOU ARE GROWN UP, PLEASE RUN FOR DEPUTY.
GOOD LUCK !!! I WILL VOTE FOR SURE
February 24th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Nadine I am so proud of you!!
If one day Lebanese women would gather to solve their problems
I would strongly recommend they gather behind you. Their chances for
success would be definetely higher!!
February 24th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Wow I am extremely impressed! Amazing essay. You definitely deserve to get 1st prize. You are raising key issues on behalf of all women in Lebanon and I hope all your cited dreams come true. Thank you for being our ambassador! Good luck; you truely have earned No. 1 status!
February 24th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Nadine, I am impressed by what you wrote and i appreciate the methodology you adopted in presenting and defending the cause.
I wish you the best that you deserve.
February 25th, 2010 at 1:59 am
Impressive!!! Really great!! Keep up the good work!!!
February 25th, 2010 at 3:32 am
Incredible. These should not be dreams, they are “basic” rights to any Lebanese woman.
Bravo
February 25th, 2010 at 4:14 am
Petite Nadine,
Tu t’arranges toujours pr ns surprendre, ns faire voire les choses en face, nous faire réfléchir, et nous mettre devant nos obligations (l’autre jour ) et nos droits (aujourd’hui). Ton sens de l’analyse est interpellant. As-tu jamais considéré une carrière en droit ?? Je pense que tu y brillerais.
Après nous avoir fait pleurer au pacifico, tu ns appelles aujourd’hui à ns jeter dans la bataille. Tu as mille fois raisons, ça s’impose urgemment !
Très très fière de toi petite – Tu iras loin !!!!
February 25th, 2010 at 4:39 am
very well written i like your ideas:) you are a great writer, keep it up, you deserve to win. good luck :D
February 25th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Nadine, you have put in writing what I a Lebanese women and mother have always wanted to say….And yes, I too share your dream. It is about time someone listened! You have our full support.
February 25th, 2010 at 4:48 am
Bravo Nadine. while reading your essay i was amazed of how much more on can still learn about his won condition…. and besides only when i read the signature i really realized you are only 14… bravo and I truly wish the jury will understand how important this topic is and how contributing your essay was to speak up…. in the name of the women.
February 25th, 2010 at 4:53 am
Good Luck (:
February 25th, 2010 at 5:19 am
What an inspiration to all women. You are already a winner.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:53 am
The problem was well addressed and tackled, you broke it down into it’s comprising components before giving solutions- good analysis. I believe one fundamental solution you hinted at Nadine will pave the way for a solution to a number of major problems in our society, SECULARISM. This will empower people rather than them living under the mercy of the feudalistic leaders of the various religious sects as well as the clergy men. I hope all you dreams come true. Best of luck.
February 25th, 2010 at 6:12 am
Felicitations!
February 25th, 2010 at 6:37 am
Great essay Nadine, you touch upon a hot topic that is very dear to my heart, as I also would love both my little girls to be able to acquire the Lebanese nationality.
I also love how you actually visualise the outcome of this change. It’s an amazing call to action. I trust the same passion that drove you to write this essay, will also fuel your aspirations and will to make a difference.
Girl power!
February 25th, 2010 at 7:32 am
Great Job Nadine! you certainly have the will:-)
keep it up!!
February 25th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Thank you Nadine for such an impressive document, I think we should help you to run the parliamentary elections, this is the future Lebanese generation that we are proud to have. I wish you all the best, keep up the good work!!!!
February 25th, 2010 at 10:29 am
wowwww!!! it is rly gd
February 25th, 2010 at 10:35 am
very nice essay nadine really hopeyou’ll win:) wish u the best!
February 25th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Nadine, c’est exellent..Ton anglais est parfait!! Tu as raison :) Good luck :)
February 25th, 2010 at 10:46 am
bravoo nadinee :D
February 25th, 2010 at 10:55 am
u deserve to win because u relly worked hard its a greaqt essay that caught my attention all way through, Great job Nadine! Your an exemple fot the Lebanese women!
February 25th, 2010 at 11:01 am
IN my opinion, Nadines essay is truly reflecting the way the lebanese goverment is treating its women. Nadines essay is filled with rich vocabulary and very intersting points that gave me a good lesson.
Good work nadine keep it up ! :)
February 25th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
BRAVOO :D Mabrouuk !! nchalla ke tu gagne !!
February 25th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
i think it is realy very good essay wishing you the best luck from me
February 25th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Nadine i was very amazed by your skills. This essay is perfect specially your ideas are unique. You marked every reader with those magical words! great job !! keep up the good work and good luck!!! i hope you will keep writing essays that will change people’s opinion!! :):)
February 25th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
This is one of the best Essays i have read up till now !! Keep up the great work !
February 25th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Cke tya ecri est vraiment superbe,
3anged c tre bien:)
Bonne chance:)
February 25th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Wow Nadine!! I Never Thought You Were Able To Write Such A Nice Essay:)
Good Luck!!:D
February 25th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Nadine ce que t’as écrit m’a impressioné!
Entre la structure et les idées, ton essay fait preuve d’une maturité qui dépasse celle d’une fille de ton âge; à partir de là jte souhaite bonne chance pour le concours mais surtout pour la réalisation de ces changements!
February 25th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
great article :) really enjoyed reading it.. good luck!!:)
February 25th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Wow, what an amazing essay. It really gets you think about this very serious subjekt! I was amazed over how well writen it is, and of course the story it tells. And I can only say that I agree in your opinions and your dreams.
It’s very nice that you do this, respect and thumbs up for you!
February 25th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Nadine, very good and well supported essay with many concrete examples.We are very proud to have you as a representative of our school between all the members of the world and we also very proud having you as our classmate !!! Congratulations !!!! ;)
February 25th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
TU VAS GAGNER JE NAI MEME PAS LU LARTICLE MAIS TOUT LE MONDE DIT QUE 2elo 3azer par rapport a ton age
February 25th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Good job :)
bravo :D
gd luck for after :)
February 25th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
wow Nadine , amazing essay , i hope you win … you deserve it .
really well written for a 14 year old . I bet you spent a lot of time writing it , and i really dont know how you have the patience to do that .. Good luck :)
February 25th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
nice essay nadine! good luck
February 25th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Bravo nadine mais je comprend pas comment tu arrive a etre parmis les finalistes de tout les conconrs de l angalis et francais que tu participe et que tu arrive a gagner . chapeau :P
February 25th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Nadine is a great writer. This essay is really well written and the expressions used in it are rich. She is very courageous and tries to pursue her dream. I am very impressed. Keep up the good work.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
fantastic i am new in this website my american friend told about it and i just read what u rote so i gope u re gonna win and waw how lucky u are to have all this fans
February 25th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Amazing :D
February 25th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
what a tallented girl u are nadine i wish i could write like u i wish u the best good luck !!!
February 25th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
oh la la mais quelle fantaisie j addor l anglais c une langue tres belle et je trouve que tu as bien deffendu la femme et que tu doi gagner bonne chance
February 25th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
boonjour a la fransaise je te di fantastique c tout simple
February 25th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Excellent essay Nadine. Very impressed
February 25th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Nadine I met you when you were 4 I can believe you are fourteen. You have your mother genes and your own merit to be thankful for. Using the wisdom of a human rights activist made your message so powerful. I will be so proud to share your words of wisdom with my student and say that I know you. Best of luck xoxo Rania
February 26th, 2010 at 3:35 am
congratulation !!! hope u win
February 26th, 2010 at 3:58 am
U deserve to win becoz ur so determined and u did a great job! Ur essay is great and well supported by stating the laws, adding that ur solutions can easily be used on a global scale 1 Very well Done! Best o Luck!
February 26th, 2010 at 4:00 am
bravo nadine I liked the article continue (it’s exellent)I hope you win ;) good luck!!!!
February 26th, 2010 at 4:08 am
I was really impressed by what nadine pointed becos its a very sencible subject in our contre and its very importent that a women like nadine says what she thinks about iy
February 26th, 2010 at 4:13 am
i think nadines essay is pretty decent! its full of arguments and rich vocab.
she expressed herself in a perfect way and i think deserves the glory!
February 26th, 2010 at 4:44 am
Tres beau texte qui pose le probleme et suggere des solutions . Bravo Nadine .
February 26th, 2010 at 5:19 am
GOOD WORK! :)
February 26th, 2010 at 5:26 am
Impressive essay Nadine!! I love the way you were able to shed light on such an important issue in our socienty by portraying pure facts in such an emotional way..Keep it up !
February 26th, 2010 at 5:46 am
u deserve to win u impressed me it’s a really excellent essay that caught my attention from the begging till the end ! and although u are french educated u managed so well the english lanuage! Best of Luck!
February 26th, 2010 at 6:03 am
Excellent essay :) Congrats :)
February 26th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Thank you Nadine for reminding us and alerting us about the discrimination against women in Lebanon. It sure is a long way towards equality. We must keep the hope and stay determined.. optimistic.. :-)
You’re such a talented writer my little friend who got really big and wise !
February 26th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Amazing essay!
congratulation Nadine for your ranking :P
I hope you win! You really deserve it !
All Lebanon is with you!
Good luck :P
February 26th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
good luck!!
February 26th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
That’s a really good essay! Specialy comming from such a young lebanese girl! Keep on the good work! And good luck!
February 26th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I liked your essay very much.
It’s one of the most important issues that should be seriously discussed. It’s another problem to add to Lebanon’s long list.
Anyway, good job and good luck.
February 26th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Wonderful essay!!!!! Good Luck
February 26th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Nadine, you never cease to amaze me!! you are an incredible 14 year old. You are a winner in any case: you have voiced out every Lebanese woman’s concerns and whatever the outcome, we love you :)
Best of luck and I hope you live to see a Lebanon with no discrimination against women! …and I hope one day you open your own business called “Nadine & Daughters”!!
February 26th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
amazing essay!!
good luck! :)
February 27th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Congratulations! Your essay is very well thought out. Good luck.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:19 am
This is an amazing essay. Nadine represented clearly the subject by using touching words that describe the discimination against Lebanese women. I hope that one day women will be given all their rights that they deserve.
Congratulation Nadine.
You deserve to win :)
February 27th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Congrats to the well-written essay. By choosing this topic you are showing great maturity towards an important issues in your country. Your awareness also gives us hope that the next generation to run Lebanon will have a different view of just civil rights. And, with a broad enough awareness followed by courageous civil support change may be possible. Let us hope you will become a witness of that… All best. Daniel
February 27th, 2010 at 8:04 am
I am spellbound by the depth of your knowledge Nadine. Good Luck!
February 27th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Good essay, I hope your essay is read by those that can take actions.
February 27th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Well done Nadine. Through your factual and well researched essay, we should hope that this everlasting government excuse “There is no way out it’s a political issue “will find a way out.
Bravo
February 27th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Good luck
February 27th, 2010 at 9:00 am
” if you focus on results, u never get change…but if u focus on change, u’ll get results”
therefore nice choice of title…
i do hope your essay will get the recognition it deserves in order to reach largest # of readers…good luck and may you tackle further discriminations….
February 27th, 2010 at 9:04 am
quite impressed by ur work, knowing that ure only 14 years old.
it is a well researched work and i do hope it reaches the widest range of ppl in order to trigger the change you are referring to and all dream of…
February 27th, 2010 at 11:50 am
excellent Nadime your essay like the great wall needs a lot of sacrifices` to be achived i know you will and surtout God will help to make it real,thank you Nadine for joy you are giving us as women of lebanon
February 27th, 2010 at 11:55 am
good work Nadime your essay made me feel great solutions are given made me feel excellent,i cant see better to make us feel you are behind such an issues and good ones god bless you little future Girl of lebanon
February 27th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Congratulations Nadine! Your essay really amazed me, you did such a great job! I, lebanese by origin, and living in France, ddnt imagine that such discrimination against women in Lebanon! Your essay is a real eye opener, and i wanted to thank you for having the courage to talk openely about this subject and for proposing solutions that can actually be used on a global scale! I wish u best of luck! Finally i hope ur efforts will be appreciated and that ur dream will come true!
February 28th, 2010 at 3:16 am
I was very impressed by Nadine’s essay as she touched the most important problems Lebanese women go through in their daily lives. As a career woman i was shocked to know that i needed my husband’s permission to open my own business or even to be able to travel alone, but thanks to fighters like Nadine, we’ve improved so far and some tiny laws have been changed, the latest was the ability for the mother to open a bank account for her minor children yeahhh what an achievment!!!!!
What sadens me is that in Europe a concubine has more rights than the lebanese mother, therefore i advised my daughter to marry under civil court so maybe she could at least fight for her rights when needed.
Our hopes, as Lebanese women ,are on the new generation like Nadine who are aware of the society’s flaws and have the knowledge and the will to fight discremination on all levels.
Good luck Nadine, we need your charisma and your perseverance !!!!!
February 28th, 2010 at 5:01 am
Nadine, ur essay blew me off! Your text is really well structured, u start by a stunning introduction till a incridible conclusion. You expose the problem in a great way and you propose concrete and concise solutions. What i really liked about ur solutions is that u involve the civil society and the political parties and you show us Lebanese that together, we’ll realise our dreams! Great job and best of luck you deserve it!
February 28th, 2010 at 6:34 am
It is a really astonishing to read such a piece of literature.
- A very thorough research.
- A deep knowledge of the problem.
- A clear set of solutions.
- All accompanied with a true touch of humanity and a lot of feelings.
BRAVO Nadine .
February 28th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Amazing essay Nadine , and most importantly great solutions . You made us believe in change ! Great job Nadine :)
February 28th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Dear Nadine,
It’s with great pleasure that i notice your maturity concerning mainly such an issue that many girls of your age think about without knowing how to address.
Bon courage.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Your work reflects an encouraging future for many generations to come.
We thank you for that.
February 28th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Moi aussi j’ai un rêve,
En lisant l’étude de Melle Kanaan j’ai mesuré l’ampleur et la qualité du fossé qui sépare sa génération de la nôtre.
Différence non seulement du point de vue de la connaissance et de la science mais surtout relativement à une forme de sensibilité morale qui est au cœur de toute notion juridique, qu’il s’agisse d’une norme ou d’un système.
En effet,
Analyser le contenu de la recherche-étude révèle deux particularités qui se complètent et s’articulent:
-Un exposé circoncis de la situation juridique existante et,
-L’expectative d’un amendement qui conformerait la legislation à la justice.
C’est précisément ce dernier point qui donne toute sa valeur à l’intervention de MelleKannan qui a révélé l’essence de la théorie des droits de l’homme.
La notion de justice et l’idée de dignité,
C’est le cri qui transparaît même dans l’exposé scientifique de la législation en vigueur.
C’est pourquoi j’ai un rêve.
Celui d’un avenir certain pour la notion des droits de l’homme qui protègeraient les generations futures de la nouvelle dictature celle de la mondialisation.
Marie-Denise Méouchy Torbey
Docteur en droit penal internatioinal
Tutulaire d’un DESS en contrats internationaux
Licenciée de l’Institut de criminologie de Paris II
Président de chambre près la Cour d’Appel de Mont-Liban
March 1st, 2010 at 6:50 am
nadine,
j’ai 2 petites filles de 8 ans et je vais te dire si un jour je l’espere elles reflechirons ,a ta maniere , ecrirons ,a ta maniere,serons consciente et voudrons changer avec cette vehemence les injustices autour d’elles, comme tu le dis si bien, je serais la plus fiere des mamans.
c’est pourquoi aujourd’ui je pense a ta maman et a roula que je connais bien et je me dis :l’education est vraiment la seule vraie richesse.
je ne te connais pas mais permets moi d’etre fiere de toi.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:52 am
Dear Nadine,
Your article is impressive as well as all the comments you have received concerning it. As you say, Lebanese law is still very much discriminatory against women, not only in the personal status laws of the different communities, but also the civil law itself (nationality, passion crime, adultery, no law protecting women from violence within their own homes…)
The question as you mention is also closely linked with the religious and the communitarian mentalities. The women are not given right to give the Lebanese nationality to their children and husband in fear of changing the communitarian balance. This explains the reply of the minister of interior. Nonetheless, the minister is now working a lot in order to empower women, and encourage presenting candidature to the municipality elections with the quota proposition. Also, and this is remarkable, the website of the ministry of interior http://www.dgps.gov.lb/goelect/index.php always places women before men, and just in its visuals, is encouraging women to participate more in public and political life. These are some efforts, as the efforts of all women organization that work along the lines you point out: workshops, education… They still need more media coverage and specific funding from the state.
But as you say, in your suggestion number 6, secularization is one of the major answers.
Finally, congratulations for your brilliant remark on “X company and daughters”!
I join with you in the dream that one day we will no longer need to talk about these issues, when they become irrelevant (and went our Lebanese president is a woman:)
March 1st, 2010 at 11:35 am
Dear Nadine,
Marian Wright Edelman once said: “If you do not like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time.” It is wonderful that young women like yourself are so clear about the changes they want to see in their communities and are eager to make these changes happen.
Well done on your essay and most importantly, keep this commitment and enthusiasm no matter what!
March 1st, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Nadine,
Thank you for your deep research, mature analysis combined with a great sensitivity.You are proposing solutions which is a positive approach to this serious problem.
You are a teenager and if you, teenagers are aware of this discrimination, then it is about time to review the laws and give the Lebanese woman her chances, rights and dignity. And realize that her role in building the society is irreplaceable.
March 1st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
This is a great piece of work!! Well done!
It is a very well structured essay with very thorough research.
Best of luck!!!
March 1st, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Nadine,
This is a great piece of work!! Well done!
It is a very well structured essay with thorough research and very valid solutions!
Hope you win, Best of luck!!!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Although the writing style is simple, the article covers all aspects of the issue. The argumentation is well explained. But the laicization of society is not part of the solution to the discrimination against women. Laicizatoin does not work with civil marriage. It starts with all citizens abiding the same laws and not having their own civil courts: I am referring to the Muslims who abide the Shari’a in general and the Hanbali or Jaafari laws in particular (Sunni vs. Chia), and also the Druze who have a different set of laws.
The solution for a better society, thus a more equitable society for all its members, is not to eradicate our belonging to a religious confession. It is to make us all feel Lebanese before we feel Christian or Muslim but still be Christian or Muslim if we choose to. This is a different subject so I will not go into it now.
Good luck!
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:08 am
Excellente réflexion! Bravo Nadine.
Tu sais, on a besoin de personne comme toi, posée, mature engagée, pour faire bouger les mentalités et abattre toutes ces injustices.
Merci encore une fois .
Leila Kobeissi
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:26 am
Dear nadine,
like everybody else, i am totally impressed by the degree of knowledge research and commitment you have put in your essay.
as a career woman and a mother in lebanon i am fully aware of the gender discrimination, and still you taught me more about foreign mum’s versus lebanese ones…
like you i want to believe we can change, but as you pointed out we have a heavy task in raising awareness in various communities.are we sure all lebanese women know the problem and want the change???
definitely on for lobbying and certainly for starting by educating and informing women.
yes we can change and i find myself talking to you ,Nadine, like i would do with an eminent lawyer or magistate as you may well become.
congratulations on the depth of thoughts, so proud of you..
roula haddad chidiac
pediatric dentist
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:27 am
Bravo à cette petite jeune fille qui connait déjà si bien les lois libanaises concernant les femmes, et quitouche du doigt leurs failles, leur caractère discriminatoire, et les graves problèmes qu’elles engendrent. Ces lois infligent à la femme libanaise un traitement digne du Moyen age, alors que la Constitution qui date pourtant depuis des dizaines d’années, la considère comme l’égale de l’homme. Pourquoi ne le serait-elle pas? Elle est bien un etre humain, et tous les etres humains sont égaux: la différence du niveau d’humanité n’existant pas, la femme n’est certainement pas un etre de 2nd degré.
Il est heureux que le Liban civilisé compte des jeunes comme Nadine qui se sentent autant concernés par l’injustice de notre droit sur le statut personnel et sur celui de la nationalité.Nous attendons d’elle et de tous ses congénères qu’ils s’engagent toujours plus loin et qu’ils se mobilisent pour intervenir et oeuvrer au sein de la société civile- et plus tard dans le domaine politique-en vue de changer les mentalités. Afin, que dans un avenir proche, comme l’a réclamé haut et fort Nadine, nous obtenions ce droit minimal qu’est l’égalité absolue entre citoyens de sexe différent.
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:52 am
Nadine , c’est impressionant , waw , this is amazing , i never knew all that about the lebanese law , and the rights of the women in my own coutry , and now because of you’re impressive work I know more about my rights , about the law in my coutry .
You are right in many ways , and you’re solutions are right , true and hopefully someone will read them and use one of them to improve the law in lebanon .
Great work my friend ! good luck , with this impressive work i’m sure you’re gonna win the first price You deserve it !!
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:53 am
Bravo Nadine! excellent! it gives me hope in the new generation, because i am journalist living abroad and i am shocked every time I come back and see lebanese women only concerned about their appearance and not their rights.
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:55 am
Bravo Nadine pour cet article très instructif et très bien structuré.
Si les droits de la femme libanaise font parie des rêves d’une jeune fille de 14 ans c’est que le moment de changer de lois ne devrait pas être très loin.
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Miss Abi Kanaan your article sure gives us hope in fulfilling your dream. A dream, that has been the same for quite some frustrated and previous generations. You are typically the new motivation, energy, and intelligence we need. Go on. We are all here to help and back you up. A dream like yours is already a dream come true.
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Bravo Nadine!
je t’evoie un temoignage de solidarite a toi et a toutes les femmes libanaises qui ne peuvent qu etre fieres de toi.
Bonne chance!
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:16 am
Ecxellent travail digne d’une étudiante en droit (14 ans?). Très bien documenté, magistralement plaidé, j’ai aimé “I have a dream that one day, while walking on the street in any country of the world, I’m going to read “XXX’s company S.A.L and daughters”.Bravo!
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:25 am
Bravo Nadine! Et merci de défendre la cause de la femme libanaise qui souffre depuis des siècles de la domination des hommes. Des études comme celle-ci nous permet d’espérer un avenir meilleur, en tout cas pour la jeune génération. Bonne chance, you deserve the best!
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:28 am
Bravo Nadine! excellente étude de niveau universitaire. J’ai aimé: I have a dream that one day, while walking on the street in any country of the world, I’m going to read “XXX’s company S.A.L and daughters”.Bien documenté, magistralement plaidé. Bonne chance!
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:38 am
Bravo nadine! tu fais avancer la cause des femmes au Liban après des siècles de domination masculine. je suis fière de toi, tu mérites le meilleurs et tu donnes de l’espoir à ta génération
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:51 am
Bravo Nadine! Excellent travail de niveau universitaire, bien documenté et bien plaidé. Avenir dans le journalisme ou à la barre? merci en tout cas pour les femmes du Liban qui trouvent en toi un porte-parole efficace.
March 4th, 2010 at 3:11 am
I am proud of you Nadine. Your awareness of many issues in our community, your maturity and deep understanding of the law, your enthusiasm for women’s rights gives us all hope for an improved future in the hands of our youngsters! I am hoping that one day every woman in Lebanon will hear this powerful voice in you.
March 4th, 2010 at 5:16 am
dear Nadine.
That is so fantastic that you believe in it, and will do whatever it takes. I´m deeply touched and impressed!
March 4th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Congratulations Nadine !I am really impressed !This essay shows your maturity and your deep thoughts!
Good luck !
March 4th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
NADINE!!Your essay is amazing!Your way of spreading awarness is unique in its own way.I’m now more aware of our rights as lebanese women as well as several laws I didn’t know about and I hope that one day people will see the unfairness toward us and change it. You believe in change and now after reading your essay I do two so good luck and I hope you win: you diserve it :)
March 5th, 2010 at 2:37 am
Congratulations! I am very proud of you. You have voiced out the concerns of every Lebanese woman. Unfortunately, some women simply resign to their present situation, or are not aware of their rights. Hopefully, this will be an eye-opener to everybody.
March 5th, 2010 at 3:47 am
Very bold and straight to the point.
Authentic and Genuine.
Albeit very critical, the proposed solutions given herewith render the artical positive and very promissing.
Congratulation NADINE on a very affecting article, which will undoubtebly leave a mark on the officials.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:05 am
Nadine, this is a very concise, well structured essay that explains the issues, is not afraid to highlight who and what is to blame for gender injustice in Lebanon and which lists a clear and viable path to bringing about change. You should be commended for bravely pointing the finger of blame at the role of organized religion in perpetrating injustice to women. Your solutions to the problem were practical and all the more impressive for being so. It is a sign of maturity beyond your years to avoid dreamy unrealistic ideas and to propose effective actions that are feasible in the real world. Well done and good luck in the competition.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:08 am
though distressing, truth always hurts. congratulation nadine on a very poignant and genuine article that scratches the surface and delves underneath the ugly realities of so called modern/ swiss lebanon.
your proposed solutions will undoubtedly make a dent and will be the 1st mile in a very long journey where politics and corruption are the mottos of the country’s officials.
always remember martin luther king “power to the people”. go on…don’t give up…changes are tedious but think of the legacy you and your friends will leave to your children and their future generation. bravo.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:51 am
Congratulations Nadine it is realy an excellent essay which is very important to you and to us as Lebanese women
We are proud of you and we deserve to win
March 5th, 2010 at 5:32 am
mes felicitations Nadine.Rare de tomber sur une fille mure eveillee instruite et cultivee et qui a seulement quatorze ans.
tu es une fille qui promet beaucoup.
March 5th, 2010 at 5:49 am
Excellent essay.
Good luck
March 5th, 2010 at 6:07 am
Excellent work Nadine!
March 5th, 2010 at 6:08 am
go Nadine Go! at this age with all those ambitions and dreams, we are confident that we have great potentials.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Amazing… I am more than 40-years old, and I did not know half the stuff you are talking about! Your action plan is clear consise, and can result in bigger better things for the Lebanese Women. Good Luck!
March 5th, 2010 at 8:06 am
Go Girl!!!!!!With girls like you, I think the future of the Lebanese women looks bright! Keep your fighting spirit and never lose hope.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:08 am
Before reading, i was wondering what can be said about this issue of leagl discriminiation against women in Lebanon, taht has not been said before ? What can a young (very young) women add to the analysis, demands, origanized campaigns , lead by reknown lawyers, big ngo’s, even politicians some times :)
And I discovered that Nadine did add a value to this “ancient” never-solved problem : the energy of a person who sill dreams, who believes in a possible change, wha has understood the real meaning of justice and the impact of dicrimination, who is not blurred by apparences.
Moreover, the essay combines very well the facts, the texts, the impacts, the personal analysis of the writer; it is serious, and very actual, not only based on laws, or un reports, (i.e refereing to a an intervew with a minister shows that she is following up on news also)
finally, the solutions are a very successuful combination of many actiosn that can be conducted in parallel, and each one can see her or his self particpating to one of these activities.
Just a final note: the touch of humor! always welcomed esepcially when it is so discreet and relevant..
March 5th, 2010 at 8:09 am
This is to the point consise and with a clear action plan. Work at it and you will do great things. There is hope for Lebanon
March 5th, 2010 at 8:15 am
All I can say is impressive. A 14 year old with a consise precise plan how to make her countrymer (or actally countrywomen) lives better. I hope you win!!
March 5th, 2010 at 8:17 am
GREAT ESSAY NADINE.YOU DESERVE TO WIN.
WE ALWAYS SAY:TELLE MERE ,TELLE FILLE.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Great essay Nadine, I hope many people will read this essay as I wasn’t myself aware of many of the things you’ve mentioned. Good luck!
March 5th, 2010 at 8:38 am
great essay nadine.you deserve to win.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:19 am
I am impressed by your maturity and awareness Nadine!! You did a great job !!The topic you discuss is extremely important!!I am so proud to know that we have in this country youngsters who think like you and who are, at a young age, devoted to a case.
I enjoyed reading you and what i liked the most in your essay is the reference to Lebanese laws. I don’t know a lot about Lebanese legislation but you gave me valuable information about it.
I, as well, “have a dream that one day, while walking on the street in any country of the world, I’m going to read “XXX’s company S.A.L and daughters”.(Loved this sentence, very creative!!!)
Good luck and continue walking !!
I’ll be waiting for your future essays!!
Carine
March 5th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
wow nadine,
stunning at your wonderful age to have so much incite and to have tackled such a touchy and difficult subject, that touches the hearts and soles of so many of us in lebanon and in the middle east.
as you say ‘when there is a will there is a way’ so very true, nothing is beyond doing, and should be done. we should all hold hands and make it happen, despite all difficulties.
i wish you all the very best in all of your present and future endevours.
you are a fantastic person and deserve all the very best
your friend and admirer
joumana
March 5th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
For a 14 years old, Nadine is so aware and so mature. The topic she chooses to discuss is very hard but very relevant to analyze the source and basis of the discrimination against women in this country. Nadine’s essay reflects a concrete situation that Lebanese women have to deal with on a daily basis. Congratulation Nadine, already you are a winner.
March 6th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Nadine:
So young and so wise!
I had the opportunity to visit your country, and loved it. It’s beautiful and the people are amazing. However, the purpose of my visit had little to do with tourism; I traveled to support my sister while she tried to cope with the news of a broken marriage and an abusive husband. We visited an attorney in Beirut, and were appalled and horrified to learn that there were no equal rights for women. My advice to women living in Lebanon: support change!
March 6th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Bravo Nadine!!!!!!! Impressionnant ton texte…Bonne chance
March 7th, 2010 at 4:06 am
Only 14 years old and yet mature enough to understand and describe a situation many Lebanese women suffer from. Apart from being very interesting, this essay summarizes perfectly a real pain that gangrenes our society.
I know how hard it is for a young educated lady to suddenly realize that the legislation of her country has built a sexual apartheid and still refuses to grant woman all their rights. Therefore, I really think that the rich Lebanese women mentioned in the essay should be the ones fighting against social injustice.
I feel very proud that my lovely Nadine is the author of those lines. She definitely deserves to win!
Bravo Nadine!
March 12th, 2010 at 4:21 am
WE definitely are against sexism and social segregation , you are a winner Nadine .
Change will happen indeed if their would be more Nadines in this world . regards
March 14th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Thank You all for your comments and support, A special thanks to my English teacher Mrs.Tohme The director of my school and all teachers and friends that have commented on my essay. Impossible is nothing, we will certainly be able to make this world a better place for living! Let’s make this dream come true, I’m sure that we’ll be able to do so.
Thank you so so so much!! :) :)
Thanks so much WLP, for everything!!