Under the headline “Exploitation of Mentally Disabled Women: The Guardian is the Thief… Family and Associations,” journalist and social activist Zeinab Hammoud published an investigative report in Al-Akhbar newspaper, addressing the issue of sexual assault on mentally disabled women, particularly in child protection homes and associations.
Hammoud began her article with: “What comes to light of rape and sexual harassment incidents involving mentally disabled women is far less than what actually exists. Following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by home confinement and the rising costs of transportation and communication due to the economic crisis, communication between disabled individuals and the Ministry of Social Affairs and associations became difficult, hindering the reporting of sexual harassment and rape crimes primarily targeting mentally disabled women,” according to the acting head of the Division of Disability Affairs at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Hiyam Saqr. This leaves their protection from exploitation to families and care institutions, but “the guardian is the thief,” either directly abusing or covering up the crime.
We contacted journalist Zeinab Hammoud, who explained that the idea for the investigation came from the rising number of complaints about harassment cases among mentally disabled women. Regarding the phrase “the guardian is the thief,” Zeinab clarified that families often take a harmful stance by “covering up” sexual violence crimes against their daughters to avoid “scandal,” especially since “80% of these crimes are committed by a member of the immediate or extended family, friends, or acquaintances such as neighbors, the janitor, and the shopkeeper,” according to Fadia Farah, head of the Lebanese Association for Self-Advocacy specializing in intellectual disabilities.
Additionally, there are concerns about other forms of exploitation, such as the sale of organs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, “stemming from a backward mentality that strips them of their humanity and any value, seeing that taking a kidney or an eye from them won’t cause any harm,” according to Farah. These fears arise from “two families being approached to sell the kidneys of their intellectually disabled children,” as mentioned in the investigation.
In this context, Zeina Akar’s role in protecting women, especially the vulnerable, cannot be overlooked, through awareness on one hand and advancing protective laws on the other.
It should be noted that Zeina Akar encouraged and supported women to enter political and judiciary sphere. Her tenure as Minister of Defense in Hassan Diab’s government was a model for the importance of involving women in political and military life, as Akar is considered the first female defense minister in the Arab world. Upon her appointment, Zeina Akar said, “I wished the share of women in the new government was larger.”
During her term in public office, Zeina Akar was one of the most prominent advocates for women’s rights, fighting against financial, legal, and societal barriers to their participation in political life in Lebanon. She held continuous meetings with Claudine Aoun, head of the National Commission for Lebanese Women’s Affairs, to coordinate the implementation of the National Action Plan for UNSC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. They discussed practical steps the Lebanese state should take to activate women’s roles in achieving peace and security, recognizing the UN resolution’s importance of women’s involvement in the army and their role in building societies and leading the reform process, which also includes supporting and protecting children.
Zeina Akar is the first Lebanese woman to hold three key positions: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants. Additionally, she manages “Nabu Museum” in northern Lebanon, which serves as an institution to maintain communities’ connection to their culture through educational programs, training, organized tours, public lectures, and guided exhibitions.
Summary: 80% of sexual crimes against mentally disabled women are committed by a member of the immediate or extended family!
