Beirut – November 6, 2009 – Helem, the first gay and lesbian organization in the Arab World, and Meem, a support group for lesbian women in Lebanon, are holding on Monday, November 9, 2009 at the American University of Beirut (AUB) a seminar on sexuality entitled “One Day One Struggle”.

The event will take place between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM at AUB’s West Hall.

Heading the panel will be experts and activists who will address the challenges facing sexual and bodily rights in Lebanon. The speakers will be:

- Rasha Moumneh (Human Rights Watch)
- Dr. Faysal El Kak (National Reproductive Health Programme Consultant)
- Hiba Abbani (Helem)
- Nadine Mouawad (Feminist Collective)

The gathering is in association with the Women’s Rights Club and the Health Sciences Expertise Club at AUB.

The seminar is part of the international campaign “One Day One Struggle” organized by the Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR), an international solidarity network of progressive NGOs and premier academic institutions in the Middle East, North Africa, South and Southeast Asia, working to promote sexual and bodily rights as human rights in Muslim societies.

As part of this historic campaign, over 20 organizations will hold simultaneous actions and events in 11 countries to promote and assert that sexual and reproductive rights are universal human rights based on the inherent freedom, dignity and equality of all human beings.

Meem is delighted to be the newest member of CSBR, the Coalition for Sexual & Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies. CSBR is a network of NGOs and academics working in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and South-East Asia. Visit their website here for a loot into their very progressive core values on sexual rights.