FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT: BARRIERS AND BOUNDARIES Given their condition, stateless individuals have to deal with the fear of checkpoints, despite displaying high mobility rates in Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Gender inequality on this matter was also uncovered through the survey findings. In both governorates, stateless people have similar conditions concerning their freedom of movement. Respectively, 91% and 84% of stateless in Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon are able to leave their village or district either daily, weekly, or monthly. The rates are higher among Lebanese respondents, whom don’t have to deal with the risk of undergoing identity checks by security forces. On the other hand, freedom of movement also bears a gender dimension, with women reporting being significantly less mobile than men. 20% of stateless women don’t leave their village, and 43% don’t leave their governorate. The ongoing economic crisis seems to have had an impact on the movement of stateless people, with 39% of respondents blaming their lack of mobility on high transportation fees. 62% of stateless respondents are holders of a type of document recognized by the authorities, be it a residency permit, an under-study card or a laissez-passer. Yet 25% among those point to their fear of checkpoints, mainly because security personnel on many occasions come to dismiss these forms of documentation, hence increasing the mental pressure for stateless persons when having to move around. As a result, 61% avoid moving while 21% have learnt how to avoid checkpoints. 5% of stateless men respondents don’t leave their village, and 20% don’t leave their governorate. “ - What is that? - Your State gave it to me. A conversation between an understudy woman and security personnel on a checkpoint while showing her under-study card. © 2023 Siren Associates. All Rights Reserved. 53