Body Talk

Joumana Haddad

“From the body, through the body, with the body,

since the body and to the body”

Antonin Artaud

I hate looking like a party fanatic, especially if the concerned party is a “women party”. But certain things must be said, even if the cost of saying it would be the “militancy” taint that repulses me. Some things must be said, yes indeed! First of which is related to the last World Economic Forum about the gender gap report. In this report, and as usual, the Nordic countries ranked first on the level of equality between men and women. Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Denmark… etc, are leading countries in offering women an equal position to men in all fields of work: scientific studies, jobs, salaries, political participation, personal freedom, up to whatever elements that define the entity of a human being socially, civilly, sexually, culturally, politically and so forth. 

Yesterday, I started reading this report. And as I read through it, my curiosity and (my realism) lead me to skip the first ranks (which did not carry any surprise, as we all know the “huge” progress Scandinavians made - in comparison to other countries - in the topic of human rights in general and women rights specifically). Down I went, to the very bottom of the list, looking for the position of Lebanon in this report that lists the rankings of 130 countries in the world.

As I scrolled down and pored over that webpage, I started wondering, in a naïve Lebanese confidence, with its wickedness that does not spare the most skeptical and cynical minds: would we be ranked 90 for example? Or maybe 101? I guess we absolutely “outdo” a very good number of African countries in this field, and many Arab countries as well. It’s Lebanon we are talking about here! Lebanon that is quite known for its “exceptionality” in the region, and the margins of its freedom and tolerant equality. It’s Lebanon , where a woman can drive without any obstacles, and put on (and take off) whatever clothes she wants, and boogie on night club tables till dawn, and and……

But!

Quickly, my Lebanese naivety gave me a full slap (I deserve it). Imagine, ladies and gentlemen, that Lebanon does not figure on the list, and that’s not all: Israel , on the Middle East level, comes first in the respect of women rights. As for the second place, it goes to Kuwait ; the third to Tunisia , Jordan comes fourth and fifth are the UAE….

What is more: the Philippines rank sixth internationally and Sri Lanka is twelfth. Did you say Lebanon ? Forget it! No equality here, nothing at all. Our country that is “buzzing the world” is not worth being mentioned, even in the study.

Why? maybe, I say maybe, one of those reasons could be that those who assess the issue of equality between men and women do not pay much attention to the importance of bopping on nightclub tables (with all its coquetry and splendor), and they rather prefer concentrating on a priority such as the level of political participation of the woman and its contribution in decision making.

And maybe, I say maybe, there could be another reason: Those who assess the issue of equality between men and women do not care much about the issue of apparels, makeup and fashion trends (which is a necessity also) nor do they care about slogans such as “Be beautiful and give us what astounds the world”. They rather opt for basing their judgment on the number of women pursuing their studies away from pressures of marriage, and those who work in jobs they choose without any discrimination, as well as those who get paid equally to men. And more.

And maybe, I say maybe, the reason could be that those who are commissioned to observe this aspect of equality are people who appreciate the woman’s right to live her private life and the fantasies of her body and sexuality the way she wants (check out a book entitled “express mail” published recently by the “Meem” community, to feel the sufferings of Lebanese lesbians due to discriminations amid their families, society and even sex life). Those observers may also be looking for a less patriarchal society that does not look at the “womanizer” as a hero, while a libidinous woman is considered a sick slut (the technical word is: nympho). Shall I continue? No. Because it’ll be of no use. It’s a “gap” with no bottom my friends.

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I hate looking like a party fanatic. I really loathe this. But some things must be said. And no one can better say it than those who are living it. Things such as but not confined to, if you permit:

I look forward to the day when high heels in the Lebanese parliament would be equivalent to neckties.

I look forward to the day when women will have a decent title that is equal to the glorifying and mannish “Don Juan” tag.

I look forward to the day when the authors of “express mail” would be able to sign their statements with their names without fear, worry and unconscious shame.

And I, especially, look forward to the day when the Lebanese woman (without generalization) will realize that her strength does not mean being masculine. And her liberation is much deeper, important and more dangerous than the possibility of partying at Sky Bar (I repeat: which is a necessity); and the superficial rights she has got are just utter sedative games that intend to distract her: not from claiming her true freedom (enough with begging for it, for God’s sake) but from fulfilling her ultimate right in that freedom as a simple fact of human life, and assuming her responsibilities, and living them from the first breath.

Till the last one in her body.

joumana@jasadmag.com