Lebanon’s Minister of Education, Rima Karami, is facing major backlash after adding a third gender option “Other” alongside the traditional “Male” and “Female” choices in a national survey. The survey, launched in March 2025, was part of a broader initiative by the ministry to collect data on students across public and private schools and gain a clearer picture of the country’s demographic landscape.

Many were quick to condemn the move. MP Edgar Traboulsi, a member of the Parliamentary Education and Culture Committee, described the survey as “a violation of the natural and moral order” and a threat to Lebanon’s societal foundations.

Minister Karami took responsibility for the survey and swiftly withdrew it. She clarified, “The survey is for statistical and planning purposes only. The inclusion of multiple gender options reflects global data collection practices and does not indicate any shift in curriculum or policy.”

That said, this was a very poorly timed decision on her part. While there’s nothing wrong with raising awareness around gender and identity, you can’t just introduce a third gender option in a national school survey without any prior communication or explanation to students, schools, or parents.

Sensitive topics like this should be introduced gradually and thoughtfully, through national conversations involving schools, parents, and key stakeholders. There needs to be real collaboration between the state, civil society, educational institutions, and religious bodies. Moves like this only serve to create confusion and deepen divides.