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Suzane Hajj head, ISF senior officer removed because of a Twitter ‘like’

3-10-2017

The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces removed yesterday the head of the ISF Anti-Cybercrime and IP Rights Bureau, Major Suzane Hajj Hobeish from her position and appointed Major Albert Khoury in her place without clarifying the reasons. Informed security sources said the dismissal decision came after Hajj reportedly ‘liked’ and instantly deleted her ‘like’ of a tweet shared by TV comedian Charbel Khalil commenting on the recent Saudi decree allowing women to drive. The sources considered that Hajj made a huge mistake for two reasons: first it is a public stand politically hostile to Saudi Arabia, and second, it reveals an unprecedented insult to Saudi women from a Lebanese woman in a position of responsibility. For her part, Hajj filed a complaint with the Office of Public Prosecution in Mount Lebanon rebuffing what she termed as provocation and fabrication of crimes and actions. In response, a hashtag in support of Hajj shortly trended on Twitter #alikebymistakeisnotacrime#. On the subject, An Nahar newspaper mentioned earlier differences between Hajj and ISF director, while noting that both come from the same political line of thought, and adding that the ‘like’ was just an occasion to sack her. LBC pointed out that Hajj has been interrogated two months ago for posting instructions to the public on her personal account and not on the ISF page and was punished for that but continued to put out her political viewpoints. (An Nahar, October 3, 2017)

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Campaign in Lebanon to boost women’s social role

3-10-2017

With the participation of more than 120 women from 15 countries, a female bike ride kicked off on Sunday in different regions in Lebanon under the slogan ‘Pedal for Peace’. The initiative (from September 30 to October 7) is organized by Beirut By Bike (the main sponsor) and Follow the Women UK charity, in partnership with Makhzoumi Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Tripoli and the North, along with several local NGOs and municipalities. On the occasion, Beirut By Bike founder, Jawad Sbeiti, clarified the purpose of the activity which is, to highlight the role of municipalities and community organizations, draw attention to the role of Lebanese women through the participation of a number of them in this cultural and touristic experience, advertise Lebanon and its Arab role globally, streamline the culture of peace and promote Lebanon as a sanctuary for peace and coexistence. Sbeiti announced the women only bike routes which will begin from Tripoli to Jbeil, the Shouf as the third leg of the tour, Jezzine on Wednesday through Mlita and Nabatiyeh in the South, Ansar, Sarafand, Tyre and Saida, then West Bekaa on October 6, and after a stopover in Baalbek, the ride finishes on October 7. The woman bikers will set off from the Beirut By Bike base in the capital’s downtown area across the streets of Beirut, including Barbur, and stop over at the Makhzoumi Foundation headquarters. (An Nahar, October 3, 2017)

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A new vocational training center in Tripoli to empower youth, create jobs

2-10-2017

As part of its development program to revive Tripoli’s Old City socially and economically, the Safadi Foundation announced last week that the construction of the Safadi Center for Accelerated Vocational Training is close to completion. The latter, to recall, seeks to help young school dropouts or people who lack professional skills (aged between 16 to 40 years) pursue an occupation free of charge and increase their chances of employment. The center provides young people who wish to acquire a trade with theoretical and applied training over a period of one to three months in the following fields: knitting, securitization, sanitary ware, painting, insulation, tiling, carpentry, electricity, welding, assistant chef, waiter, as well as, elderly and child care. Other disciplines will be incorporated at a later stage. With the completion of the training courses scheduled to kick off the end of October, beneficiary students will receive certificates accredited by the German Agency for International Cooperation and certified by the Safadi Foundation and relevant local and foreign institutions. (Al Diyar, September 27, 2017)

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Women’s heart center in Baabda provides free diagnosis, prevention

2-10-2017

L’Orient Le Jour on Friday drew attention to the Women Heart Health Center (WHHC) under Yaduna Foundation specializing in women’s heart health. The center, the newspaper wrote, aims to promote women’s heart and vascular health which is the leading cause of death around the world. It also seeks to alleviate the burdens of cardiovascular diseases through proper awareness, prevention, diagnosis, initial treatment and advocacy. Established in Baabda back in 2013, the WHHC boasts hi-tech diagnostic equipment and offers free health care for women over 45. Through collaboration with academic teams from the AUB and USJ universities, the center implements high standard clinical practice, training and scientific research. The center which has received around 3,898 women to date, secures its funding through its annual gala dinner, which falls on November 3 this year. (L’Orient Le Jour, September 29, 2017)

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Daycare facilities at the workplace increase women’s productivity

29-9-2017

Al Hayat newspaper published yesterday a report released by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) entitled, ‘Tackling Childcare: The Business Case for Employer-Supported Childcare’. According to the report, companies offering daycare services for their staff have noticed the positive impact this had on their work, in addition to an improved recruitment process, steady employment and an increased productivity of the employees. The IFC report indicated that the introduction of nurseries inside the workplace cuts the drop-out rates by workers. In addition, the presence of toddlers with their mothers at work reduces the latter's absence due to illness or any other emergency reasons. It also gives working mothers an incentive to focus more, be more motivated, and increase their sense of responsibility and belonging to the workplace, the IFC report said. From a women’s rights perspective, daycare facilities at the workplace improve gender-based diversity and prepare women to take on leadership positions. On the subject, Nena Stoilikovic, the vice president of Blended Finance and Partnerships at IFC, said that without the full and equal participation of women, no state, society or economy can achieve their goals, realize their potentials or face the challenges of the 21st Century. “Childcare is part of the solution, and childcare services at the workplace is a key catalyst for economic growth,” Stoilikovic noted. When parents share the workforce, they are able to increase their incomes and contribute to the growth of the companies and nations economies, she maintained. (Al Hayat, September 28, 2017)

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Thuraya Hamdan, Therese Kayrouz win Femme Franchophone Entrepreneure Finale 2017

29-9-2017

Thuraya Hamdan and Therese Keyrouz have won the Femme Franchophone Entrepreneure Finale 2017 organized by the Francophone University Agency (AUF) and Berytech incubator in partnership with L’Orient Le Jour and Le Commerce du Levant magazine. Hamdan won for her Labne & Facts project which is an information platform allowing the collection, production and publishing of data content through professional journalists. Keyrouz won for her Yalla Bus mobile application developed to optimize bus and transportation services in Lebanon. Five candidates have run for the competition which was held on Wednesday at the Innovation and Sport Campus at Saint Joseph University (USJ). The 20 thousand Euro prize will go directly to Berytech to cover the costs of merging the two winning projects into the startup system and ensure their follow-up. The competition to recall was jointly launched by AUF and Berytech in 2011 with the objective to support female entrepreneurs. (An Nahar, September 29, 2017)

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The Philippines bans compulsory wearing of high heels at workplace

29-9-2017

The Philippines banned companies from forcing women employees to wear high heels in the workplace, according to a decision by the labor ministry which becomes effective as of today, September 29. A labor group hailed this bold step stating that the Philippines was the first country to take it in support of women’s rights. Similarly, the labor ministry made clear that companies are no longer allowed to compel saleswomen to wear high heels for health and safety considerations, warning that enduring the pain of standing for long periods not only cause pain and fatigue, but also lead to serious joints and spine disorders. The Philippine government said companies should allow women to wear practical and comfortable footwear and not force them to wear shoes measuring higher than 2.5 cm. Female employees, namely those working in sales positions, clerks and security guards, should not be forced to stick to high heels in the workplace and should be given rest periods to prevent health hazards. To note, four women have earlier filed grievances to the trade union which referred the complaints to the authorities. (Al Mustaqbal, September 28, 2017)

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Celebrating Palestinian cultural heritage with thread and fabric

28-9-2017

Al Hayat newspaper published a special feature on Palestinian fashion, spotlighting the illustrious Palestinian embroidery, the colors associated with the costumes and the keffiah or hatta (chequered black and white scarf) characteristic of the Palestinian cultural heritage. In this respect, Al Hayat spoke to Palestinian designer Farah Nassif, owner of ‘Farha’ trademark, who, said she is always trying to stitch a story with a thread and fabric that will be acclaimed and embraced by her community. Nassif chose to stay away from standardized and restricted patterns, as she puts it. And while her outfits target mainly the local market, Nassif said she will explore and open new doors at a later stage. Al Hayat also spoke with creative Palestinian designer, Sasha Nassar, who completed a few collections during her study in Milano and London, before moving to Paris to get her bachelors and master degrees in the field. Nassar to recall has won the London Graduate Fashion Week prize in 2013. During her master’s study, Nassar said she received a grant to work in womenswear fashion. Then, she designed a collection with the help of women embroiderers from Hebron and Gaza and showcased it in Beirut, in 2016, on the occasion of the opening of the Palestinian Museum to commemorate 60 years of the art of Palestinian embroidery.For the full article, please visit the following link: http://bit.ly/2xHGFvM (Al hayat 28 September 2017)

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Training of ISF officers on curbing gender-based violence

28-9-2017

The Internal Security Forces Institute in Aramoun distributed yesterday certificates among ISF and General Security officers who completed training on ‘combating gender or social status-based violence in security institutions’. The course was organized between 13/2/2017 and 6/4/2017 in coordination with the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW) at the Lebanese American University (LAU). Some 20 ISF and 15 GS officers participated in the training. During the graduation ceremony, ISF Institute Commander, Brigadier General Ahmed Hajjar said the idea of the course comes from a firm conviction to improve concepts and approaches employed by the security apparatus in the country in line with international standards and national legislation combating this type of violence. Hajjar hailed LAU’s initiative to provide scholarships for 13 officers allowing them to pursue a specialized diploma in the field. For her part, IT innovator Diala Muhtar said the course covered many important topics, including: human rights system; defining gender-based violence and role of security institutions in combating it; the local legal framework of these issues (laws, conventions, treaties), in addition to case studies and discussion and sharing of lived experiences by participants. )Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, September 28, 2017(

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Emily Nasrallah receives a press shield

28-9-2017

The President of the Order of Lebanese Press Editors, Elias Aoun, visited yesterday Lebanese novelist and writer, Emily Nasrallah, and handed her the Shield of the Order in recognition of her literary, intellectual and journalistic contributions. Aoun congratulated Nasrallah for receiving the German Goethe Award earlier in August and checked on her after the surgery she underwent. He commended Nasrallah’s loyalty, integrity and honesty, describing her as the “paragon of the woman on which good societies are built”. Nasrallah in turn thanked Aoun for his initiative, and voiced hope that the Lebanese press would remain free and independent, and that Lebanon would continue to be a platform for free speech. (Al Mustaqbal, September 28, 2017)

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