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The leading mobile telecommunications company, Touch, organized its annual Mother’s Day lunch on Friday in honor of influential TV working mothers during the small screen’s golden age. The event was held under the auspices of the ministers of communications and women’s affairs, and in the presence of Touch personnel and mothers. During the ceremony, the minister of communications, Jamal Jarrah, pointed out that women do not only represent half of society, but are also its dynamo,” as he put it. “We honor today media figures who have contributed to bringing Lebanon to a prominent position in the media at the Arab and international levels,” Jarrah said. Ogassapian, for his part, praised the honorees who, he said, were distinctive and self-established, which again “demonstrates the competence and capability of the Lebanese woman.” Besides being a good mother, the Lebanese woman plays a pivotal role in building society and the nation, Ogassapian stated. Likewise, Touch CEO, Emre Gorkhan, said that Mother’s Day gives Touch the opportunity to highlight positive achievements of women in community. This year’s celebration, he maintained, is addressed to outstanding women who have largely contributed to the institution and development of the media in the country, besides being mothers. The honorees are: Jeanne d’Arc Abu Zeid, Nadia Habib Arida, Haifa Jarudi, Suad Qarut Ashi, Maha Salma, Neemat Azuri Ussi, Neemat Qarut Shatila, Wafa Oud, Badia Beydun, Dolly Ghanem and Gysele Khury. )Al Mustaqbal, March 25, 2017)

 

The state minister for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, referred to the Cabinet on Friday a draft bill that would ensure gender equality in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Law. The explanatory statement of the proposed law states that as the current National Social Security Act contains provisions which do not observe equality between the sexes in terms of NSSF benefits, while at the same time do not discriminate in terms of contributions paid by members regardless of their sex, therefore, it should be amended. The adjustment, according to the explanatory statement, requires the eradication of any discrimination or prejudice in terms of benefits of members or benefiting other people from the said law. (Al Diyar, March 25, 2017)

 

Al Hayat newspaper wondered in an article published yesterday if the Lebanese media really reflects the role Syrian women refugees in supporting their families and enduring the toughest circumstances of displacement. Al Hayat highlighted a study prepared by Abaad organization in collaboration with Women League for International Peace and Freedom entitled ‘Negative’ portraying the image of displaced Syrian women in the Lebanese media between 2015 and 2016. According to the study, the handling of the refugee issue by the mainstream media was not different from the political state of affairs, noting that treating the Syrian women, in particular, did not vary either, Al Hayat wrote. They remained absent, barely occupying 3% of the news published in newspapers and 29% of the televised reports. The shy presence in the news was exhibited in the context of the crackdown last April on a human trafficking network east of the capital, the study showed. The journalistic coverage mostly depicted those women as victims of domestic violence, human trafficking or victims of macho dominant communities, the study indicated, mentioning that reporting remained within the ordinary humanitarian context. The above study by Abaad drew attention to the extensive and almost spontaneous use of negative stereotypical terms in this regard, which reflects inadequateness on part of journalists and reporters as per the relevance of the language to be used in such cases. In conclusion, Al Hayat citing the study pointed out to the generalized sweeping statements lightly adopted by the media when referring to Syrian refugees. This, in turn, leads to marginalization of women issues for lack of efficiency in investigative follow-up. The Syrian woman refugee, the study concluded, ends up to be a mere victim that has no political, social or economic role whatsoever, the study said. (Al Hayat, March 23, 2017 

The Empowerment of Women in the Finance and Banking Sector Forum honored on March 3 the CEO to the Central Bank Governor Marian Howayek. The event was organized jointly by the World Union of Arab Bankers and Union of Arab Banks (UAB), in cooperation with the Lebanese and Arab civil society associations and the Arab Women Organization at the Arab League. The UAB president and head of the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL), Dr. Joseph Torbay, handed Howayek a shield of appreciation in recognition of her efforts in the field. The honoree, in return, asserted the primary role of women in all sectors, chiefly, the banking and financial sectors, pressing the need to give all women the opportunity to learn and demonstrate their capacities.(Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, March 21 and 24, 2017)

 

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Women’s financial empowerment to achieve stronger economies

 

In his message on Mother and Child’s Day, the President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, stressed his unyielding support and preparedness to protect women and children and to give family matters his full attention. Aoun’s statement came after a meeting with associations involved with women and children issues. A lot needs to be done, Aoun said, underlining the significance of collaboration in such matters to the end of protecting Lebanese children. Aoun lauded efforts by local organizations and groups concerned, pressing for expanding the scope of their work to cover the whole family. He described as shameful incidents of domestic violence that culminate in the death of family members, calling for making the appropriate legislative reforms, particularly through the amendment of the disputed domestic violence law, which “did not meet our expectations” as he put it and in order to provide better protection to women. Deterring violent acts inside threatened families is inevitable and required for their safety, Aoun noted. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, Al Diyar,, March 23, 2017)

  

 

 

 

Coinciding with International Women’s Day, and as an annual ritual, the Arabian Business magazine published the list of the 100 most influential Arab women for the year 2017. These women represent key female personalities on the global scene in the fields of art, culture, politics, journalism, sciences and economy. Joumana Hadad was among them and has been chosen for the 4th consecutive year for the category of cultural and social activism. (This year, she came 34) along with Manal Cherif from Saudi Arabia (95 place) and Rana Dajjani from Jordan (45 place). It should be noted, that the above magazine selects its candidates based on a thorough research on the regional and international accomplishments of subject women and in view of relevant referenda over a period of 6 months. Among other Lebanese honorees, are Fairuz, Amal Clooney, Raghida Dirghan, Christine Tohmeh and Grace Najjar. (for the full list, please visit the following link: http://m.arabianbusiness.com/the-world-s-most-influential-arab-women-10-1-666101.html (An Nahar, March 20, 2017)

 

The Arab Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology Societies held a conference on March 7 entitled ‘Transformations in Women's Health in Lebanon and the Arab World: Reality and Challenges and the Impact of Policy and Legislations’. The event which was organized in collaboration with the School of Health Sciences, Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) tackled problems and presented solutions to the end of promoting the general health of women. During the conference, Dr. Faysal El Kak, president of the Association, pointed out to huge disparities in maternal mortality rates which while posting a decline in some Arab countries, including Lebanon and the GCC states, remained high in some 8 other Arab nations. El Kak warned that the increase in birth rates among refugee women in Lebanon and neighboring countries is higher than the mortalities, particularly those caused by chronic diseases and not childbirth problems. He mentioned the surge by 20% in marriage rates among women aged 18, which sometimes reaches 40% in certain countries, as he said. Dr. El Kak noted that the use of birth control pills is still low, barely reaching 50%. For her part, the director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Office in Lebanon, Dr. Alissar Radi, considered that over more than half of women suffer from weight gain and other factors, like smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and lack of mobility. Some of these factors, she explained, contribute to the spread of breast cancer. Likewise, the director of the Arab Institute for Human Rights, Joumana Merhi, said that the right to health and freedom is a fundamental human right, similar to the right to determine the timing of pregnancy and the right to access medical services which is also an essential right for women. (An Nahar, March 22, 2017)

 

On the occasion of Mothers’ Day which falls on March 21 of each year, the Lebanese regions held a series of activities and events combined with public statements from politicians and officials. The First Lady, Nadia Chami Aoun, underlined the need to promote the values of peace, democracy and the power of acceptance and tolerance inside the diverse Lebanese society. Aoun who was speaking to a delegation of the World Movement of Mothers- Lebanon, said those values are badly needed during this time in the country’s resurrection at all levels. She emphasized the role of women in general and mothers in particular in bringing up of generations devoted and committed to Lebanon. Likewise, the Roman Catholic Patriarch of Tyre, Michael Abras, appealed, from the Roman Catholic Cathedral, to the government to extend its support to Lebanese women by giving them their rights, particularly the representation quota. For his part, former minister, Wadi el Khazen, questioned if the said quota is adequate for women who are marginalized and deprived of their civil rights, while in reality, they are influential constituents in life and work and at part with men partners. The Progressive Women’s Union sent its greetings to the mothers of Lebanon noting that celebrating the occasion remains void unless women are given their full rights and all forms of discrimination eradicated, and that can be realized through the amendment of unjust legislations. Say No to Violence association also congratulated mothers on this special day demanding through its emigration officer, Abeer Ghanem, the enactment of the nationality law which gives a Lebanese mother married to non-Lebanese the right to pass nationality to her family members. The Future Movement in West Bekaa and Rashaya organized a health mentorship session in Jib Janin, which included conducting medical and lab tests and the distribution of medications, enfant milk and gifts among the beneficiaries. The Lebanese Charity Association for Reform and Rehabilitation held a ceremony for the wives and mothers of the Lebanese Army martyrs. And, last but not least, the National Orthodox School in Shiktabah-Akkar honored the mother teachers at school. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, March 22, 2017)

 

Al Hayat daily featured last Friday the 10th edition of the Cairo International Women’s Film Festival (CIWFF) which was held in Cairo between March 4 and 9 with the participation of 59 films from 23 countries. Being a non-competitive event, the newspaper said the festival does not assign an award to participating films, but rather a single award is given based on an audience vote following the screening of each film. Al Hayat described the event as a rally showcasing independent movies created by women from all over the world. It was kicked off back in 2008 by director Amal Ramsis to highlight women’s cinema and films that largely boast a touch of humanity, Al Hayat wrote. The founder and director of CIWFF told the newspaper that the festival is dedicated to cinematic productions by women everywhere, describing it as a true adventure. It is the first of its kind festival in the Arab World, and it remains an independent initiative by a group of women, an event that is not supported by any public institution to ensure its success, Ramsis asserted. She said the festival presents films that are uncommon to the audience and are different from the ones screened in commercial cinemas or television. From the start, Ramses explained, the decision was to screen the films free of charge in order to be accessible to a wider audience. It is in fact, the first festival in Egypt that is free and that is screened with Arabic subtitles. (Al Hayat, March 17, 2017) 

 

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the American University of Beirut (AUB) launched the Randa Bdeir Leadership Award in recognition of remarkable leadership in support of women’s careers. The award will be handed every year to one person for his/her outstanding accomplishments and contributions in backing women careers at AUB, in Lebanon, the region and the world in general. The awardees are selected from a group nominated by the AUB. Randa Bdeir, an AUB alumna currently heading Bank Audi’s electronic payment solutions & card services department. Bdeir underlined in her words that the award does not only honor women, but also acknowledges the efforts made by other people who support them. “Despite the fact that men and women can be equal in their qualifications and capacities, yet women are faced with tougher challenges,” Bdeir noted. “In our society,” she said, “women have to cope with unjust civil laws and banking laws, as well as, with the way society looks at them and their obligations to their families,” she added. Women, she concluded, need every possible support to be able to realize their dreams and goals. For his part, AUB President, Fadlo Khury, thanked Bdeir for her initiative stressing the significance of the award in the development of the professional and career life of women. (Al Diyar, March 19, 2017)