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Future Women of Central Beqaa presents microfinance opportunities

9-10-2017

The Future Movement’s Women’s Sector organized on Friday an economic empowerment event in the Central Beqaa which included a meeting with representatives of the Emkan Finance S.A.L for micro-loan facilities. The activity, held at the Future Coordination premises gathered women from the area in the presence of coordinator Nahed Madi and members. A presentation by Emkan gave n idea on the microcredit loans the institutions offers to housewives to help them carry out small projects, like traditional mouneh, sewing and others that benefit them and their families. (Al Mustaqbal, October 7, 2017)

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More condemnations against sacking of Maj. Suzan Hajj

6-10-2017

The sacking of Maj. Suzan Hajj Houbeish from her position as the ISF Anti-Cybercrime Bureau has instigated greater criticism and denunciation. However, security sources confirmed that the reason for dismissal is not liking a tweet that insulted Saudi women but has to do with a long history of punishment for her conduct that violated the ISF internal guidelines. (c.f: http://bit.ly/2hRvM54). On the subject, Joel Rizkallah, founder of Women in Front association, pointed to discrimination against Hajj being a woman, noting that “everyone makes mistakes, and they should be given a second chance when they attempt to mend what they did,” as she put it. If Hajj was a man, Rizkallah added, and did what she did, he would automatically find his redeemer. Discriminatory actions against women are snowballing, she stated, demanding the government to adopt a national legislation for the protection of women in the country. Likewise, a civil society activist who asked to remain anonymous, explained that the reason of sacking is still not clear. While noting that public appointments in the country stick around, he pointed to the immediate replacement of Hajj by Maj. Albert Khoury, which arouses feelings of suspicion that the appointment has been cooked earlier. Hajj for her part, refused to comment on the matter, telling L’Orient Le Jour reporter that she is not allowed to fight her corner. (L’Orient Le Jour, October 5, 2017)

Previous related news:
Suzane Hajj head, ISF senior officer removed because of a Twitter ‘like’
 

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Cost of violence against women in Arab countries

6-10-2017

The ESCWA, UN Women, the Swedish Institute in Alexandria, and the LAU Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW) jointly launched from Beirut Sursok Museum on Wednesday the first phase of the ‘Estimating the cost of the economic impact of violence against women in the Arab region’ project. The latter seeks to support Arab countries in estimating the costs of violence against girls and women (VAW) and use such estimates as a tool to develop comprehensive policy reform, according to a statement by ESCWA. VAW costing should be a priority for Arab states based on a recognition that it is a critical violation of human rights that has a negative multiplier effect on women’s rights, economic growth, public health and societal wellbeing, the statement said. To recall, this activity comes on the sidelines of the eight session of the Ministerial Women’s Committee on Wednesday at ESCWA headquarters (: http://bit.ly/2yM8QHE). The project published a draft report on the status and context of violence against women in the Arab region, in addition to an operational model to calculate the cost of violence built on a review of methodologies and regional specificities at hand to estimate VAW in the Arab area. It involves direct and indirect tangible costs of marital violence, including the overall cost of the household and the total cost of service delivery (at the community level and the total cost of businesses). To note, the first survey will be conducted in Palestine, as reported by L’Orient Le Jour newspaper. (L’Orient Le Jour, October 6, 2017)

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Lebanese Businessmen host Carlos Ghosn

5-10-2017

The Gathering of and Businesswomen (RDCL World) chaired by Fouad Zamakhal, received on Tuesday the chairman and CEO of the world’s largest automotive Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi group, Carlos Ghosn, to discuss over lunch the ‘New global scene: Effects of risks and prospects on the region and on local economy’. Ghosn drew attention to the debt crisis afflicting world nations and slowing down development, which, he said, necessitates long stages of reform to this effect. Ghosn called on the Lebanese businessmen and women in the world to put more effort in global communication using modern technology tools and services at hand. They should know that Lebanon, the diaspora and residents, are a fusion of successful communication, businesses and investments, Ghosn maintained. On strategies that should be adopted by the Lebanese, as well as, by international companies, Ghosn identified the priorities of development and ways of adapting to them. Modern technology has become imperative for business and investment, and the Lebanese companies do not lack the knowledge, the know-how, extensive experience and effective communication, he concluded. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, October 4, 2017)

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Rural women of Lebanon prepare “mooneh”

5-10-2017

Al Hayat newspaper highlighted today the annual mooneh exhibition in Ehmej, Jbeil Caza, aimed at helping women who are jobless or lack steady income to invest their capacities in the preparation and selling of mooneh items. To know more, Al Hayat spoke to Magui Abi Ramya, member of the Association for the Development of Ehmej, the exhibition planner in cooperation with the town’s municipality. Abi Ramya pointed out that local women have increased the quantities they prepared for their families in order to partake in the exhibition which kicked off three years back. The goodies on display, Abi Ramya explained, are the same they consume at home, purely organic, high quality and preservative-free. The town’s fair has increased women’s confidence in themselves and in their roles, she boasted. Al Hayat also spoke to Marie who started up the 12-year old ‘Mar Sophia fair’ for traditional mooneh in Ehmej. “In the beginning, I prepared mooneh for my family, but at some point, my supplies increased in quantity and I thought of doing business. I discussed the subject with my neighbors and we set off from there,” Marie said. “This uplifted many housewives and some embarked on learning how to prepare various mooneh foodies,” she added. Al Hayat noted that Ehmej is not alone in this. Many towns and villages across the country are involved with similar undertakings inspiring women to get on board. In Hasbaya, the South, for example, the Ladies of Charity association is organizing a training course for a number of rural women to teach them how to prepare various types of mooneh supplies and help them to support their households and empower them socially ahead of the projected opening of Beit el mooneh next spring, 2018. (Al Hayat, October 5, 2017)

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Ogassapian demands again a mechanism for women’s political participation!

5-10-2017

The eighth session of the Committee on Women opened yesterday in ESCWA, Beirut, in the presence of the Lebanese minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, and Arab ministers. Participants reviewed achievements by their respective states and discussed setting a roadmap to sustain the accomplishments and at the same time deal with unfavorable situations. Ogassapian on the occasion stressed the aptitudes of women which qualify them to be in various positions, and to be key partners in strategic decision-making in any country around the world. As for Lebanon, Ogassapian said, the forced absence of women in parliaments is a loss for the Legislative, the institutions and the nation as a whole. He pressed for finding a mechanism at this ministerial session that helps the woman be present at an advanced and progressive position relevant to her potentials and attainments. For his part, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA, Mohamad Ali al Hakim, said that in the midst of the difficult security, political or development conditions of the region, international initiatives should steer efforts to improve the status of women. Every day, al Hakim maintained, “we are more convinced that participation and gender equality are the pillars for development, economic growth and advancement of society.” (Al Mustaqbal, October 5, 2017)

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Ray Bassil named UNDP goodwill ambassador for youth and gender

4-10-2017

At a ceremony held at the Grand Serail in the presence of prime minister Saad Hariri and UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Philippe Lazzarani, the Lebanese Olympian Ray Jack Bassil, was named as goodwill ambassador for youth and gender. Lazzarani commended Bassil for being one of the top 10 women in the world in trap shooting. He also said he was pleased to name her for the determination she boasted to become the first Arab woman competing in the Olympics, London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016, and the first Arab lady to reap 3 medals in 2016. In her turn, Bassil spoke about the childhood days and her dreams like any other little girl, but that she never expected to be involved in shooting which by default is a man’s world. Similarly, Hariri said, “as a nation, we should remove all obstacles that impede women from reaching their goals,” adding, “these are the same challenges Ray encountered but eventually she won.” Hariri underlined a woman’s propensity to be in senior leadership roles starting from the presidency of the republic, premiership and house speaker to the positions of minister and member of parliament. (Al Mustaqbal, October 4, 2017)

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First Lady launches breast cancer awareness campaign

4-10-2017

With the onset of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lebanese First Lady, Nadia Shai Aoun, urged women to visit mammography centers as part of their unswerving responsibility towards their health as well as to their family. Aoun underlined her keenness to extend to four months the period of the national campaign to allow the largest number of females carry out the tests that give them the serenity and hope in a healthy life. Pointing to the involvement of close to 132 government and private hospitals as well as medical centers in the campaign across Lebanon, Aoun called on women to realize that participating in the campaign falls in with her essential role in society. To be noted, the First Lady sponsors the public health ministry’s launch of the National Awareness Campaign on Breast Cancer next Sunday, October 8, at Beirut Sports City. (Al Diyar October 4, 2017)

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Trial concluded, verdict awaited in Manal’s slaying case

4-10-2017

Just four days before the release of convict Mohamad Nuheili accused of killing his wife Manal Assi in February 2014, the Criminal Court of Cassation under Judge Suheir Harakeh yesterday concluded the trial and set November 2nd as the date for the final ruling. Harakeh, to recall, has agreed on August 22 to repudiate the ruling of Beirut Criminal Court to mitigate the death penalty to a 5-year prison sentence in line with Article 252 of the Penal Code. In yesterday’s last hearing devoted for pleading, the assailant conveyed remorse for his action. Additionally, one of his two daughters appealed to the court presidency saying: “we also need him”. Following that, the representative of the Public Prosecutor's Office, Judge Imad Qablan, who confirmed that the defendant’s cruel beating of his wife has led to her death, based on the report of the forensic pathologist who examined the body, concluded the use of violence and severe torture which substantially applies to the text of Article 549 stipulating capital punishment. On the other front, and in his defense of the accused, lawyer Ahmad Badran shed light on the many sides of his client’s life known as ‘the kabaday or roughneck of the neighborhood’ as he put it, and also as the father and fanatic and obsessive husband who acted on impulse when he learned that his wife was cheating on him. (Al Mustaqbal, November 4, 2017) Previous related news: Trial postponed of husband killer of wife Manal Assi http://www.weeportal-lb.org/news/trial-postponed-husband-killer-wife-manal-assi Testimonies in the trial of killer of wife Manal Assi http://www.weeportal-lb.org/news/testimonies-trial-killer-wife-manal-assi Judiciary delays ruling in murder cases of Manal Assi and Ella Tannus child http://www.weeportal-lb.org/news/judiciary-delays-ruling-murder-cases-manal-assi-and-ella-tannus-child Public Prosecutor appeals decision of mitigated sentence to killer of wife Manal Assi http://www.weeportal-lb.org/news/public-prosecutor-appeals-decision-mitigated-sentence-killer-wife-manal-assi Court of Cassation repeals decision in the case of Manal Assi http://www.weeportal-lb.org/news/court-cassation-repeals-decision-case-manal-assi

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Future women seminar in Dannieh on nutrition

4-10-2017

The Future Movement Women’s Sector in Dannieh organized yesterday a nutrition talk entitled ‘let food be your medicine’ moderated by dietician Roukaya Abdel Rahman. Around 65 local women gathered at the Future Coordination Center in the northern town to attend the seminar aimed at raising awareness on healthy eating lifestyle, according to coordinator, Ajfan Kamash. Abdel Rahman, for her part, presented a briefed description of recommended food habits and patterns for a complete nutrition. She outlined some common diet mistakes and their counter effects on the human body, stressing the need for follow-up by a nutrition specialist to reach the desired results in the proper way. Abdel Rahman also instructed mothers on healthy food choices and meals for their children that would contribute to their wellbeing and growth, and gave a list of food types and corresponding calories. (Al Mustaqbal, October 4, 2017)

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