Linda Matar: Lebanon women's rights 'icon' dies aged 98

Linda Matar and other activists won many victories, including women's right to vote and run for office in Lebanon, which they were first able to exercise in 1953.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab Staff

04 February, 2023

Linda Matar was involved in making 8 March International Women's Day and was the historical president of the Lebanese Women's Rights Committee [Twitter]

Linda Matar died aged 98 on Thursday, after more than seventy years of struggle on women's issues in Lebanon.

A feminist and human rights activist, Matar and other activists won many victories, including women's right to vote and run for office, which they were first able to exercise in 1953.

Matar was also involved in making 8 March International Women's Day and was the historical president of the Lebanese Women's Rights Committee.

"I am the one who was born the moment I joined the Women's Rights Committee," she said.

Lebanese Women's Rights Committee chief Aida Nasrallah expressed her "deep sorrow" at the loss.

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"Linda Matar is an icon of Lebanese women's work seeking to achieve equality between the sexes," Nasrallah told The New Arab's Arabic sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Matar, who became president of the committee in 1978 after joining in the 1950s, co-founded a number of women's groups.

She unsuccessfully sought a seat in Lebanon's parliament in 1996. Matar told people she "ran because it was my duty to run" though "knew I wouldn't win".

Journalist and feminist activist Hayat Mirshad said Matar represents a "wide range of activists in the feminist movement, who came a generation or two after her".

"She was a great source of support for our journey, with her passion, love and support for everyone and her sincerity in the struggle," Mirshad added.

Mirshad said Matar was one of the first women she wanted to meet and learn from when she began getting involved with the feminist movement.

"We promise her to continue the movement," Mirshad vowed, saying "her struggle will continue through the thousands of activists she impacted".

Iqbal Dogan, the head of the family committee of the Beirut Bar Association, expressed sorrow over Matar's death.

"She is the humble lady from whom I learned a lot. I accompanied her in the work of the Women's Rights Committee and in the Lebanese Women's Council," Dogan said, calling her the "great fighter that all of Lebanon is proud of".