The Mountain Women’s Associations Gathering honored activist May Wahab Abu Hamdan, and a cedar tree was planted in her name at the Shouf Biosphere Reserve.
Wahab, who has fought for over 30 years, is considered an icon in defending women's rights and lifting them from the injustice of a patriarchal society. She succeeded in amending the Personal Status Law for the Druze community, securing justice for mothers and children by raising the custody age to 12 for boys and 14 for girls. Wahab also brought justice to Druze women by establishing inheritance rights for daughters and divorced women, and achieving social equality.
The honoring ceremony was attended by Dr. Nasser Zeidan, the eminent Dr. Michel Kehde, representatives of women's associations, media figures, and civil society activists.
The attendees delivered speeches praising Ms. Wahab’s contributions and her tireless struggle over the years to uphold justice and achieve equality.
In turn, Wahab thanked everyone, saying: “Since I was 9 years old, I decided to defend women and fight so that no woman would have to cry when they come to take her children away from her.”
She continued: “I will fight for the oppressed mother, and on the national level, I will fight to abolish the sectarian state because we want Lebanon to be a homeland of equality for all its citizens.”
Wahab has previously received several honors, including recognition from the Arab Women’s Council, UNESCO, the German International Association, the Child Rights Association, and others.
