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Women of Beqaa: Training in Entrepreneurship, and political empowerment project

22-1-2018

The Future Movement Women’s Sector in Central Beqaa concluded on Saturday an entrepreneurship training workshop in partnership with Sawa Association for Development and In Place of War (IPOW) organization affiliated with the University of Manchester. The one-month course aims at empowering women socially and economically, as well as, build their capacities to enter the labor market and promote their undertakings, according to Sector’s coordinator Nahed Madi. Participants submitted their projects to be shortlisted by the University of Manchester, while certificates will be distributed at a later stage. Concurrently, the Lebanese Association for Studies and Training (LOST) also ended the second stage of the ‘Empowering Women to Lead 2’ project in Baalbaq. On the occasion, LOST founder Rami Lakkis, drew attention to the poor participation of women in public affairs, stressing the importance of programs targeting this marginalized segment of society. He considered that women’s involvement in development activities contributes to the enhancement of public life and the building of a better future for children and the community as a whole. Similarly, the beneficiaries presented their experiences, challenges and achievements, expounding the impact of the project and trainings in shaping their personalities and boosting their self-confidence, expanding their knowledge in public affairs and strengthening their social contribution where they can have a greater role in the accountability of municipalities and the implementation of community undertakings. The above initiative included the execution of 8 developmental and community services in 8 villages in Baalbaq-Hermel region, namely, Baalbaq, Yunin, Shlifa, Bednayel, Taraya, Hermel, Al Ain and Arsal. (AL Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, January 21, 2018)

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Modest official measures to protect children in Lebanon

22-1-2018

In its efforts to end discriminatory practices against children, the director general of Personal Status, Brigadier Elias Khoury, distributed a circular on January 19 to all registrars asking them not to include the term ‘illegitimate newborn’ in all personal status registers, like the identity card and personal and family birth records, and to replace them with the term ‘invalid legal standing’. Al Mustaqbal newspaper wrote that, while the new directive alleviates the ‘moral’ side effect of the phrase, the illegitimate newborn infant remains deprived of his personal rights, namely inheritance and related matters. In this respect, parliamentary committees are still studying the marriage of children as well as the child protection draft bills. According to L’Orient Le Jour, the said committee discussed during a session on January 17 the draft laws related to child marriage and the exceptions the confessional institutions fight to keep concerning the age of marriage. Concerning cyber-crimes, the officer at the Cybercrime Office of the Internal Security Force, Lieutenant Elias Dagher, revealed the recoding of some 3,200 cases in the past year. Such crimes, Dagher clarified, involved murder and rape cases, in addition to crimes of sextortion, fraud and theft. Dagher who was speaking during a lecture on ‘social media crimes’ said that in 2014 alone more than 100 underage girls (the oldest being 13 years) were victims of online predators, sustaining that they have been groomed and blackmailed on Facebook before being raped. (L’Oient Le Jour, Al Mustaqbal, January 17, 20, 2018)

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Arab & Lebanese women’s cooperation

19-1-2018

A delegation from the Arab Women’s Council stressed yesterday during a visit to the (NCLW) the importance of mutual cooperation for the advancement of women in the Lebanese society. On the occasion, the Arab Council’s chairperson, Lina Deghlawi Mkarzel, disclosed that the Council is currently preparing for next March’s celebrations to mark International Women’s Day, and renewed the Council’s keenness in collaborating with all parties advocating and supporting women at all levels. For her part, NCLW president, Claudine Aoun Rukuz, reiterated the Commission’s cooperation with involved community organizations and its interest in Lebanese laws on women and other lines of activities. Rukuz also commended actions and efforts of the Arab Women’s Council in Lebanon and the Arab world. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, January 19, 2018)

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Two ministerial circulars to stress Lebanese women’s equity

19-1-2018

Prime minister Saad Hariri issued a circular yesterday restraining discrimination against muhajabat (veiled women) which prevents their access to state jobs. The directive comes after the minister of state for administrative development affairs, Inaya Ezzedine, raised the subject during a Cabinet session about ‘the muhajabat who applied for jobs in the public sector but were asked to take off the hijab’. Ezzedine stressed this contradicts with personal freedoms sanctioned by the Lebanese Constitution. On the other hand, the minister of education, Marwan Hamadeh, said he will issue a circular to all schools advising that children of Lebanese mothers married to non-Lebanese be treated on par with Lebanese nationals and not to be confused with foreigners or refugees. Hamadeh was speaking during his meeting with a delegation from ‘My Nationality is My Dignity’ campaign who revealed to the minister the many violations by schools and universities to this effect. The Campaign noted a wave of complaints at the start of the academic year from grieving Lebanese mothers married to non-Lebanese lamenting their children are being profiled as foreigners. Besides, Campaign activists maintained that Lebanese University (LU) students from Lebanese mothers married to non-Lebanese are being denied their health insurance as the LU Administration regards them as foreigners. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, January 19. 2018)

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Role of political parties in promoting women’s electoral participation

18-1-2018

The office of the minister of state for women’s affairs and the United Nations in Lebanon jointly organized yesterday a conference on ‘Fostering the role of political parties in promoting women’s representation in 2018 elections’. The conference stresses the inclusion of women nominees on parties’ electoral lists to ensure an effective and comprehensive participation in the upcoming elections. Minister Jean Ogassapian said on the occasion that in the absence of a quota for women in the new electoral law, his ministry has developed a national work plan aimed at strengthening women’s involvement in the political life and upping her leadership role, as well as, backing her to reach decision-making positions. For her part, the Acting UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Pernille Kardel, called on the Lebanese political parties to work harder to realize the right of women’s political engagement in the elections. Similarly, EU Ambassador Christina Lassen said, “political representation means representation of women, hence, it is both necessary and fair to engage women in these elections.” The event also included a roundtable discussion with representatives from seven political parties represented in the Parliament. Viewpoints of respective parties on the issue varied. While Rima Fakhri, representing Hizbullah, expressed reservations on nominating women, Manal Saeed, for the Progressive Socialist Party, argued that the male chauvinistic view still reigns in rural areas, and therefore political parties need to take this view into consideration when recruiting a candidate. Amal Movement representative. Ali Rahhal, on the other hand, empathized the importance of inclusion of women, but said the current mentality toward women should change first. The Free Patriotic Movement MP, Simon Abi Ramia, said women should force themselves into politics within a patriarchal society, as male candidates have better chances to win. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Hayat, January 18, 2018)

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Organic Sisters in Mar Mikhael

18-1-2018

In its issue of today, L’Orient Le Jour spotlighted a new space for tasty organic meals at the heart of Mar Mikhael neighborhood in Beirut (https://www.facebook.com/organicsisters.lb) . Organic Sisters was kicked off last November by four women who have experienced problems related to poor nutrition. They are: Sabine Kassuf, a pioneer trainer on organic products in Lebanon; Raya Nasrallah, nutrition specialist since 20 years; Jumana Sahyun, studied at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in France and Monique Diab. The organic kitchen delivers simple, tasty and organic meals made of organic meat, chicken, veggies and fruits, with a menu that offers a choice of three breakfasts, lunches and dinners. A system of subscriptions adaptable to customers’ needs is provided, as well as, special meals for vegetarians and vegans. The ingredients are basically made from seasonal vegetables and goodies. Kassuf pointed out that since the launch of the project, the meals and courses offered at the kitchen have received great turnout, saying the promotion has started from social media networks and spread by word of mouth. The number of guests and clean food lovers are increasing by day, she boasted. (L’Orient Le Jour, January 18, 2018)

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Lebanese May Abdallah elected ORBICOM board member

18-1-2018

The Network of UNESCO Chairs in Communication (ORBICOM), an international NGO founded in 1974 by a joint UNESCO and University of Quebec venture , held on Tuesday its regular administrative elections and appointed the professor of information and communication sciences at the Lebanese University, and head of Arab League Educational Cultural and Scientific Organization, Dr. May Kamel Abdallah as a new member of its 7-member board of directors. Orbicom is a nucleus for thought and work in the field of communication, vibrant with the diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds of its experts, academics, researchers, policy consultants, as well as media specialists. The NGO which is an alliance of UNESCO Chairs and Associates, aims to establish links between communication leaders from academia, media, corporate and government circles enabling them to exchange information and develop shared projects. To note, the university chairs program of UNESCO is authorized to establish university chairs and cooperation networks between higher academic and research institutions to the aim of building the capacities of these institutions through the exchange of information at the international level. (Al Mustaqbal, January 18, 2018)

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More on violence against women and children

17-1-2018

One day after the discovery of a murdered woman buried in Rmeileh (http://lkdg.org/ar/node/17115) the bodies of a woman and her newborn child were discovered by the river of the village of Bfarueh in the caza of Nabatyeh.  In addition, workers in a solid waste recycling factory in Siniq, South of Saida, discovered the lifeless body of a newborn child thrown in the factory’s rubbish dump.  On another vein, the Military Court of Cassation presided by Judge Tony Lattuf, concluded yesterday the trial in absentia of accused Hassan Hamiyeh as well as defendants Taleb and Yasser Hamyeh for the murder of young Eliane Saftally in Maamelteyn in December 2015.  The verdict will be pronounced on the 18th of February.  With regards to the case of baby Ella Tannus who had lost both hands and feet in March 2015 as a result of a medical mistake, Judge Bassem Takieddine called on both the defense and the prosecution as well as the concerned hospitals to meet and find a solution to undertake the necessary medical procedures required for the baby whilst emphasizing that her wellbeing is the utmost priority to be considered.  The Judge also allowed the defendants, both physicians a hospitals, a period of time to present a list of their witnesses as well as hear the testimony of the victim’s father.  The case will be heard again on March 13th. (Al Mustaqbal, January 13th and 17th, 2018)
 

Previous related news:
The military court considers a woman's suit against her ex-husband and resumes the trial in Elian Saftali’s case
 

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Businesswoman Sana Tawil’s journey as a philanthropist

17-1-2018

In its issue of today, L’Orient le Jour highlighted the professional life of businesswoman, Sana Tawil, a travel planner and trainer. The article spotlights her charitable contributions to which she dedicates most of her time. Tawil grew up with her mother, an artist and a philanthropist herself. She was inducted into volunteering to help those in need since the age of twelve with special attention to working with the Islamic orphanage. Despite her long annual travels as well as her work as a handicrafts trainer in a local school, Tawil nevertheless continued her volunteering work and is one of the founders of Ashghaluna which is affiliated to the Islamic Orphanages and was created some 30 years ago. Ashghaluna helps widows produce handicrafts to support their children. Tawil also noted that Ashghaluna is her priority in life. She collaborates with some 20 volunteers and trains around 50 widows in embroidery, sewing, as well as in living with dignity and bearing responsibilities. Ashghaluna hosts a space to exhibit women’s work including bedcovers, embroidered towels, children’s clothing, and bags. It also organizes every Friday a traditional luncheon prepared by the beneficiaries. For Tawil, Ashghaluna is her second home and she is unable to truly describe what she feels when she is there and interacts with other women. She conclude by saying that her motto in life is: “take from life and give back, and when I give back, I receive”. (L’orient le Jour, 17/1/2018)

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“Women’s participation in peace building” in Zouk Mikael

17-1-2018

The National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) and the Municipality in Zouk Mikael organized yesterday a seminar entitled: “women’s participation in peace building in Lebanon: dialogue and exchange of expertise in local governance”.  The event was held at the Municipality conference room and is part of the project entitled “strengthening women’s participation in local governance” which is implemented by both organisers with German funding.  This is also part of a series of seminars organized by the NCLW all over Lebanon since November 2017.  These activities aim to highlight the importance of women’s participation in decision making and peace building given its positive impact on local development and stability, as noted by NCLW’s president, Claudine Aoun Roukoz.  According to Roukoz, there is a need to reinvigorate the implementation of resolution 1325 through collaboration at the national, regional and international levels.  She added that a national working group has been created to that effect led by the NCLW and including representatives of various ministries and ministerial departments.  The task entrusted to the working group is to draw a national workplan for implementing 1325 in Lebanon in collaboration with concerned UN bodies and civil society organisations.  For his part, the head of the Zouk Mikael municipal council, Elias Beaino, emphasized the importance of women’s participation in decision making, since, according to him, “women constitute half of society”. (Al Mustakbal, January 17, 2018)

Previous related news:
NCLW supports the UN Resolution 1325
 

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