Lebanese crowd favorites and social rabble rousers Michelle & Noel Keserwany have teamed up with the Lebanese American University and The Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW) to release a song that hits back at the Lebanese patriarchy.
This protest anthem-meets-satirical take on Lebanon's hypocritical laws governing women features a woman and man in conversation about women's place in society. It has the Keserwany ladies' hallmark lyrical sarcasm and visually compelling music video work. The duo made Lebanese social media history last year with a social experiment song about a Camel in downtown Beirut that highlights the capital's looming public space problem.
The song starts off with a clear message to all those who set the laws in the country
It then goes on to list all the things women CANNOT do
To take matter into one's own hands is our best bet
And it's a long road ahead
The duo wrote the lyrics, directed the video and drew the animation. Bernard Hage and LAU student Lynn Jbeily were the voices behind the video.
This wouldn't be the first time Michelle & Noel speak out against an issue in Lebanon. Earlier this year, the duo released a song revolved around the voting responsibilities of the people, reminding Lebanese that they have a right to vote for change.
“We keep nagging that the same people have been ruling us for 30 years, but we are forgetting a small detail: We have been voting for them for 30 years!” Michelle and Noel Keserwany mentioned on their Youtube page.
Organizations in the country have long been fighting to change women's rights in the country, calling out for gender equality.
As a country with multiple religions, the Lebanese law grants authority to the various religious courts over personal matters, leaving women under sectarian personal status laws rather than a unified governmental one. Thus, women are left exactly where they have always been regarding personal matters including marriage and other familial issues, perpetuating the discrimination and oppression even further.
The animated video brings about the discussion of gender equality and women empowerment with a song that urges people to take matters into their own hands if they want to see progress and change.