Enhancing the inclusivity of the LGBTI community in workplaces in Lebanon

10.11.2020

The project aims at improving workplaces by making them more inclusive and responsive to the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the LGBTI community in Lebanon.

 

  • Budget: € 660,000
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Date of project: January 2020 - December 2021
  • Implementing Partner: SIDC, ACTED

Evidence has revealed that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) individuals face high levels of discrimination at the workplace. This leaves tremendous impacts on their mental health and overall wellbeing. The negative effects lead them to experience wage disparities and poorer job productivity, job satisfaction, and employment opportunities. Many institutions and organizations exclude and discriminate against LGBTI individuals due to a lack of awareness and education by employers, as well as because of cultural and religious norms embedded within society.

In Lebanon, LGBTI individuals face multiple challenges and discrimination at different levels, especially when it comes to accessing the workplace. The legislation does not offer protection for the members of the LGBTI community. Furthermore, social norms, strongly influenced by religious beliefs, reinforce the stigma against members of the community. These factors lead to  widespread workplace abuse, harassment and discrimination during the recruitment process.

In addition, there is a lack of knowledge about the LGBTI community. It is misrepresented and too often stereotyped in the media and in the public. These issues pose a threat to the economic security and integrity of the members of the community. Marginalization, further stereotyping and vulnerability are the results. In 2017, a report was published and submitted to the Human Rights Committee highlighting the discrimination and persecution of the LGBTI community in Lebanon. This report also shed light on the absence of legal protection for the LGBTI community, specifically at the workplace, where high rates of arbitrary expulsion where reported from the Lebanese LGBTI community.