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It is never too late: Women in Saudia allowed to drive!

27-9-2017

Saudi King Salman Bin Abdel Aziz issued a royal decree yesterday allowing women to drive for the first time inside the Kingdom. According to the decree, traffic system provisos, including issuance of driving licenses, shall apply to both males and females. It said, “the majority of the Council of Senior Religious Scholars had approved the permissibility of women’s driving,” noting that this should apply and adhere to the necessary Sharia standards and laws”. Accordingly, a ministerial body will be formed from the interior, finance, labor and social development ministries to study the required arrangements within 30 days in preparation for the implementation of the order by June 2018. The decision was widely received in the Kingdom and the world, particularly in the US which considered it an extremely progressive achievement. US State Department spokeswoman, Heather Nauert said it is an important step in the right direction. To note, Saudi women have launched campaigns over the years to reclaim their rights to drive, and some have been jailed for challenging the ban on driving. (Al Mustaqbal, September 27, 2017)

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Sheikh Qassem’s attempt to rectify his statement about “women divorcees”

27-9-2017

Hizbullah’s deputy secretary general, Sheikh Naim Qassim, quickly responded to the controversy instigated on social media by his recent Ashoura speech on ‘raising children’, in which he undermined the dignity of women divorcees. Qassim explained that example he gave about the “divorcee woman teacher” relates to both sexes when they haul their emotional baggage on their pupils. Qassim expounded what he meant by the above, saying, “we should not confuse students with the problems of teachers and educators… this is only one example, and is not inclusive off all divorce cases,” as he put it. “Not every teacher (a woman) suffers disruptive psychological side effects resulting from divorce,” said Qassim. Qassim maintained that his viewpoint is that of Islam, which considers divorce as legitimate and does not insinuate guilt or condemnation, stating, that this absolutely affects the divorced man and woman. Qassim went on in his justification to say that the status and dignity of a divorced woman are safeguarded like any other woman, and so are her undisputable rights. “The value of a woman in our community is measured by her services, as well as, by her individual social and national role, regardless of her social status. Women in Lebanon, whether divorced, married or single, have proved to be solid pillars of the resistance society, and they are true partners in all the celebrated victories,” Sheikh Qassim concluded. (L’Orient Le Jour, September 27, 2017)

Previous related news: 
Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem shameful speech on women stears controversy
 

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Lebanese cuisine growing in popularity locally and abroad

26-9-2017

The Lebanese cuisine is growing more popular in Lebanon and abroad. In this respect, Lebanese chef, Cynthia Bitar, owner of the authentic ‘Nazira Catering’, partook in the ‘week end de la gastronomie Libanaise’ in Marseille, France. Bitar, who has graduated from one of the best catering schools in the world, the Lyon-based Bocuse Institute, and worked at Fauchon Traiteur in Paris, is famous for the good quality of her oriental recipes. Speaking to L’Orient Le Jour, Bitar said the Lebanese gourmet foods are becoming trendy around the world, and revealed the introduction soon of a new assortment of traditional Lebanese meals grafted with a dash of contemporary cuisine. On the other hand, and in parallel to Beirut’s newest title as the Best International City for Food, the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night-Clubs and Patisseries in Lebanon, organized the 2nd edition of the Beirut Restaurants Festival. With the support of the ministry of tourism and in partnership with Hospitality Services, the event will host more than 70 eateries and will take place in the district of Mar Mkhail between September 29 and 30 from 5p.m to 1a.m and on Sunday October 1 from 12p.m to 11p.m. (L’Orient Le Jour, September 21, 26, 2017)

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Smart ESA and INJAZ Lebanon promote young entrepreneurs

26-9-2017

As part of its commitment to create openings for young entrepreneurs, INJAZ Lebanon non-government organization held its 11th annual national Young Entrepreneurs Competition (YEC) 2017 at the AUB campus. The event held under the patronage of Banque du Liban, aims to select the best school and university teams respectively for the ‘Best Company’ award. The winning teams are: Ayadi from USJ and Innovating Green Technology from AUB. Ayadi is an online platform that aims at building connections to facilitate volunteering and social services through networking volunteers and donors with charities, NGOs, municipalities and groups or associations in need for volunteers. Innovating Green Technology, on the other hand, aims to resolve the natural energy crisis in order to become more effective, starting from the solar heater system, through inventing the PRO-Shield product. Meanwhile, the director of Smart ESA startup accelerator and incubator program, Jihad Bitar, revealed in an interview with An Nahar, that the program has received about 300 applications, noting that only 15 students were accepted. The selection method, Bitar stated, is based on choosing the best projects, with focus on the individuals or the team behind the launching. Bitar also pointed out that 10 out of the 15 Smart ESA beneficiary entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the final stage on October 10 to present their projects before a group of investors and businessmen in order to be adopted or receive the required funds. The projects include, marketplace app, a diabetes smart watch, applications similar to snapchat and a smart bulb. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, September 21, 26, 2017)
 
Previous related news: 
Successful experiences of business incubators in Lebanon
Two school and university teams winners of INJAZ Lebanon Young Entrepreneurs Competition
 

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Lebanese Angela Salamoun and her ‘Jaleesa’ startup second in the Seedstars world competition

25-9-2017

The Beirut-based co-working space for entrepreneurs and freelancers, Antwork, hosted on Saturday the Seedstars World competition for startups. Angela Salamoun and her ‘Jaleesa’ startup won the second place as a social impact business that connects busy parents with experienced and trusted child care institutions in Beirut. It is to be noted that the winner for Lebanon, was Sammy Khoury’s for his Vision in Motion startup, and was selected among 10 competing startups after deliberation by a jury of Lebanese and regional business owners. Khoury will represent his country in Switzerland next April 2018 where he will participate in one week of training with the opportunity to meet winners from other countries, in addition to world investors and mentors. The top team will be awarded USD 1 million in investments and prizes. Khoury, a statement by Seedstars noted, was shortlisted for his innovative idea B2B that helps businesses track customers tastes through an installed camera or close circuit television. (Al Hayat, September 25, 2017)

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Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem shameful speech on women stears controversy

25-9-2017

The words of deputy secretary general of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, on the second day of Muharram, has steered controversy on social media especially that he demeaned divorced women in general and undermined their value, capabilities and status in society. His speech was largely criticized on social networking platforms and he was requested to apologize for this and for the injustices practiced in the Jaafari spiritual courts. Qassim, in his address to the system of schooling and education, gave the following example: “A teacher, who happens to be a divorced woman, can negatively influence her female students by instructing them and lecturing then on life which is a replica of her own wretched and shameful experience as a divorcee”. Qassim also expressed his resentment over co-ed education and co-ed schools environment whether in the classroom, on trips or on various occasions. He voiced his disapproval for virtual networking between men and women, describing it as a form of illegitimate or illegal meeting in privacy between a man and a woman. (An Nahar, L’Orient Le Jour, September 25, 2017)

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Graduation of Lebanese, Syrian women in a US funded project

25-9-2017

As part of ‘Teaching Women English’ program in rural areas across Lebanon funded by the US Embassy in Lebanon, Maakom Charitable and Social Association organized yesterday a graduation ceremony at Rashid Karami International Fair venue in Tripoli. On the occasion of the graduation event held for the fourth consecutive year, Maakom president, Gina Usta Alluch said the program embraced Lebanese and Syrian women from all regions of the North and the northern part of Mount Lebanon inside 12 classes for a period of six months. They enrolled in 150 English language courses and in several social training sessions as well as in trips organised by the program, Alluch said, pointing to small social initiatives launched by each separate class. A documentary film on the project’s activities was also screened, in addition to live testimonies from graduates. Claudette Jamil, a participant from Amchit, who recounted her suffering with breast cancer and the ensuing chemotherapy treatment, said she became stronger after she completed the English language course. For her part, Nancie Hatoom from Keserwan, mentioned the spirit of cooperation and challenge inspired by the program which supported her in overcoming the difficulties and strengthened her confidence in her capacities. Yesr Ahmad from Akkar, said she decided to take the course when she could not find work because of her weak English. But that at the end of the course, her language improved and she was able to find the job she was looking for. (Al Mustaqbal, September 25, 2017)

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Woman member of the Aley municipality resigns because of constraints on her work

22-9-2017

In its issue of yesterday, An Nahar brought up the story of tensions within the members of the Aley municipal council. Saada Wahab Halimeh, member in the said council, resigned as a results of attempts to constrain her work and activities within the town council. She told the newspaper that her action was guided by the trust of her constituency whom she respects as people have supported her endeavors. She added that the town of Aley believed in the role of women and as such she decided to resign when she was asked to halt her activities. (An Nahar, 21/9/2017)

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Arab Researchers 2017 award goes to Mirvat el Sibai, LAU

22-9-2017

LAU Cell and Molecular Biology professor, Mirvat el Sibai, was recognized by the prestigious Abdel Hamid Shuman Foundation for Arab Researchers 2017 in its 34th edition in which 151 candidates from Arab universities and scientific institutions participated. El Sibai won the award for her distinguished research on cancer and carcinogens or carcinogenic agents used in the treatment of different kinds of cancer, as well as for her extensive and impactful scientific research. The jury comprised of specialized committees reviewed the works of the contenders for the prize in the following fields: medical and health sciences, humanities, social sciences, education, technology, agriculture, economy and administrative sciences. (Al Mustaqbal, September 21, 2017)

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From Beijing: Obstacles impeding the advancement of Lebanese women

22-9-2017

The minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, said on Wednesday that despite the progress brought about since Lebanon’s accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), yet many obstacles continue to constrain the advancement of women, mainly in legal issues. Ogassapian was speaking at the Chinese-Arab Women’s Forum organized by the All-China Women’s Federation in Beijing. In his speech, ‘Mobilizing women forces and sharing in the building of the Silk Road’, Ogassapian pointed out that his ministry has in a 6-month record time completed the development of the national strategy for gender equality aimed to promote the status of women in all arenas in compliance with Lebanon’s commitment to implementation of CEDAW. Accordingly, Ogassapian said, his ministry seeks to remove discriminatory provisions and legislations and set a comprehensive work plan based on the national strategy in order to achieve the desired change commensurate with international agreements. He further stressed the need to adopt a participatory approach between nations to step up gender equality and realize the sustainable development agenda for the year 2030. While commending the Lebanese Parliament’s endorsement of the right of a married woman to run for municipal elections at her hometown before marriage, Ogassapian regretted in a statement that this amendment was incomplete. He recalled that on July 29 he submitted to the Cabinet a draft bill requesting the adjustment of some prejudiced provisos related to municipal elections as noted above demanding respect of the right of a married woman to retain her membership in the municipal council after marriage and the subsequent transfer of her registry to her husband’s town. He also reminded of his request to allocate a minimum 30% representation quota for women in the municipal councils, demanding the Legislature to ratify proposed amendments to the effect of empowering Lebanese women and bolstering their presence in these councils. (Al Mustaqbal, September 21, 2017)

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