Abstract:
This thesis highlights whether Lebanon is undergoing Security Sector Reform by
examining the critical timing of Women’s recruitment in the Internal Security
Forces. The statuses of the Lebanese women and the ISF have been maturing at their
own pace due to the country’s unique nature. This law enforcement agency has
recently witnessed change and improvement after being neglected for so many years.
The wars and political allegiances have all delayed the ISF from the path of
professionalism. Women’s presence in the ISF has long been limited to two members
until 2011 where the doors for applicants have been opened. This decision is the
most recent resolution taken after series of choices destined to strengthen the ISF.
Lebanon is considered to be a post-conflict society marked by its unfortunate history.
A diversified portfolio of literature defining Security Sector Reform (SSR) and its
application is deeply discussed in order to establish a benchmark for Lebanon. In
addition, Gender Sensitive Reform is defined on the premise that women’s and
men’s socially constructed roles, behaviors, social positions, access to power and
resources create gender specific vulnerabilities or gendered insecurities, some of
which are particularly salient during and after conflict, because sexual and gender
based violence may have been used as a weapon of war, and may continue at high
levels when conflict is formally ended. This thesis explores the possibility of
applying security sector reform to the ISF occurring changes. In addition to that
several reasons can be determined for initiating Women’s recruitment. The foreign
assistance program, the flaws in the system, success of previous experiences or the political reasons behind the change, can all offer us an insight to determine the
reasons of this critical timing. The prospects of this step seem promising on every
level. The surveys conducted on the public and ISF members highlight a positive
reaction to this new measure. The ISF is undergoing a change caused by several
factors working together. Women recruitment could be considered as a double edge
sword either driving the ISF forward or holding it back even more than the volatility
of the political situation and internal problems.
