News updates

The latest case of violence against women was the sexual assault on Friday against a girl inside a taxi. According to a statement by the Internal Security Forces- Public Relations Department, the ISF managed to arrest two men suspects on charges of raping a 22-old woman in Rmeileh. The incident took place on March 16 when the victim took a taxi from Zaitouna Bay in Beirut Water Front area to where she lives in southern suburb of the capital. But instead of taking the girl to her destination, they drove her to Rmeileh south of Beirut where they beat her, stole her cell phone and raped her before dropping her in nearby town of Jiyyeh. The ISF statement went on to say, that the two perpetrators, identified as Lebanese nationals (aged 22 years) from Qoreitem and Basta neighborhoods of Beirut, were arrested and referred to the competent judiciary. (Al Mustaqbal, March 20, 2017)

 

Under the banner ‘Mothers’ Day Respited’, My Nationality Is A Right For Me and My Family campaign staged a sit-in yesterday in Riad el Solh demanding ratification of the draft law for granting Lebanese women the nationality to their family members. Nadira Nahas, speaking on behalf of the mothers, and in the presence of nearly 2000 people, said protestors are here to claim their rights as sanctioned by the Constitution of Lebanon. “Being Lebanese women married to foreigners, we have the right to give nationality to our children on parity with Lebanese men married to non-Lebanese women,” Nahas grieved. “Our children are not refugees or displaced persons, they are children to a Lebanese mother,” Nahas said. Likewise, the coordinator of the Campaign, Karima Shebbo, explained that the sit-in comes to remind the officials of their pledges to bring justice to women and to reject the deliberate evasion practiced in this direction. “We are here to put the three branches of government before their responsibility to change the texts and laws that are discriminatory against Lebanese women and mothers. Shebbo demanded a fair law that is founded on complete equality between men and women citizens, a law that guarantees the rights of Lebanese women to pass the nationality to their families. In her address to the Parliament, the Cabinet and the head of the Republic, Shebbo called for formulation of legislations that are in harmony with Paragraph 7 of the Constitution mandating, that “All the Lebanese are equal before the law”. What is required is an implementation of the pledges, she warned. “We are here because politicians say something on the media and do in fact nothing when they meet. We demand upright modification of the nationality law without any argument or compromises,” Shebbo advised. (Al Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le Jour, March 20, 2017)

 

 

On the occasion of Mothers’ Day, the Kataeb Constituency of Keserwan- Ftoo7 honored yesterday a number of women, including, the director of the National News Agency, Laure Sleiman Saab, journalist, Dalia Freifer and the dean of the Doctorate Higher Institute at the School of Law and Political Sciences, the Lebanese University (LF), Leila Saadeh. In her speech, Saab said that, personally, she is against granting women senior posts through a said representation quota. “If she deserves the position, she will get it without being imparted to her,” Saab boasted, stressing that women are competent enough to be in the front lines in all fields and industries. For her part, and during her opening of Hassan Kamel Sabbah Hall and Rammal Rammal Laboratory facility at the LU School of Sciences, Nabatiyeh, the wife of the House Speaker, Randa Berri, touched on the currently debated women’s quota and participation of women in decision making. Berri drew attention that as the public university has a role in expounding the public opinion on various national issues; it should strongly advocate the rights of women through inclusion of the quota by not less than 30% in the projected electoral law. She called on all the parliamentary blocs to adopt the principle of the representation quota for women, without which, she warned, there can be no justice, equality or partnership in the country. Berri went on to say that the Constitution cannot be honored by only ensuring the rights and quotas of various religious groups in Lebanon while marginalizing the rights of women. In her address to the students, Berri appealed to them to become the voice of women in this righteous demand. (Al Diyar, March 19, 20, 2017)

 

  

 

 

 

The information minister, Melhem Riyachi, signed on Friday a ‘code of conduct for the media to protect the rights and dignity of women’ with the Arab Women’s Council, represented by Lina Deghlawi Mkarzel. Riyachi stressed his relentless backing to said code and considered as totally ‘unacceptable’ for him to see a Lebanese or Arab woman demeaned or advertised as a commodity on media channels which, he said, is an insult to the whole society. Mkarzel, for her part, underlined the significance and positive impact of the code of conduct on Arab communities at large, saying that a professional journalist can use his/her information at hand outside gender stereotyping and sexism. She pointed out that with collaborative work and networking between official, private and civil society as well as feminist and women’s organizations, it is possible to uphold and substantiate a culture of gender equality that respects human dignity. It should be noted, that the above signed code of conduct encloses 33 articles on standardized practices in the media and advertising worlds that infringe on a woman’s entity and self-respect. The code’s limitations and framework are as follows: the implementation of the clauses of the Constitution and international conventions signed by the Lebanese State; stepping up enactment of the relevant applicable legal provisions and, support for the sovereignty and freedom of the press, so that the media becomes a platform and forum for exchange based on principles and practices of good governance. The overall aim of the code of contact is to mainstream gender while avoiding prejudiced and stereotypical practices in the work of media. (Al Diyar, March 18, 2017)

  

 

 

 

The vice chair and  general manager of BLC Bank, Nadim Kassar, took part in the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles- first of its kind initiative by the BLC, held in NYC on March 15. Kassar’s participation came after BLC, represented by Kassar, joined membership of the Leadership Group that gathers some 35 leading international figures in the worlds of academia, business and civil society. It should be noted that the Bank has earlier signed the Charter of the Seven Women Empowerment Principles based on work to empower the role of women through community-based initiatives and enhance the development of high corporate leaderships, education, training and professional development for women. Kassar pointed out during a panel discussion to commemorate the 61st session for the committee on women, that his bank’s presence at the forum “constitutes an added value to Lebanon in general and to the BLC in particular, through the UN, and an opportunity to offer our experience and accomplishments in the area of women empowerment.” Kassar also hoped that BLC’s contribution will highlight the Lebanese women's capacities and competencies which increased the prospects of her successes at the economic, banking and social levels. (Al Mustaqbal, March 17, 2017)

  

 

 

The Lebanese Canadian University LCU organized yesterday a dinner banquet to honor outstanding women from Lebanon.  “Pioneer women towards a better world… women who achieved a lot for Lebanon during 2016” is the theme of the ceremony held at the LCU campus in Aintura, Metn area under the patronage and in presence of minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian. The honorees included, Hayat Arslan for her political activism through the Civil Society Dialogue Table, Dr. May Shidiac for her Women in the Front Lines annual conference, social activist Ghida Anani for her accomplishments in Abaad Association, media figure, Paula Yakubian for her launching of Dafa campaign, and Dr. Yolande Salem Abi Nakhleh, LCU president for her founding of the university. On the occasion, Rania Habib, vice-chair of LCU board of trustees, said Lebanon this year has been overwhelmed with news and achievements in the field of rights for women. To mention some, she expounded, is the right to political participation through the representation quota, the annulment of Penal Code Artile 522 on domestic rape and domestic violence, their rights to grant nationality to their children, and finally the setting up of a special portfolio for women as an initiative by PM Saad Hariri. “The right of a woman to be a full-fledged partner in society will no doubt be realized,” Habib warned, adding, “it is only a matter of time, thanks to women pioneers like the ones we are honoring this evening.” “I believe,” she said, “there should be a substantial partnership at the level of decision making in Lebanon, and demanding the (women’s) quota is not a formality or mechanism,” she added. (Al Mustaqbal, March 17, 2017)

 

  

 

 

 

Al Hayat newspaper featured today an enthralling program within the ‘Challenge to Change’ platform aimed at raising awareness on mental illness among women in the Middle East region through mentoring workshops to enable women to transform challenges into positive opportunities. The newspaper interviewed the mastermind behind the Big Sister/ Little Sister program, Dina Bseiso, who said that the program targets young women affected by conflict in the region or those who face emotional challenges that had detrimental effect on their lives. The said program, Bseiso explained, has opened in Gaza and Beirut, as women in these two areas are distressed by armed conflict and lack the social and economic environment needed for their mental health. Bseiso explained that the program shows young women how to build their self-esteem to overcome obstacles and be able to realize what they want to see in their lives. She pointed out that the structured personal growth program seeks to connect experienced professional Arab women with young Arab women (ages 18-25) who may benefit from guidance, couching and counseling. The program, Beiso expounded, is based on an interactive network of big and little sisters according to specific standards of selection. Like for example, the big sister is preferably an Arab woman with 10-year work experience and achieved accomplishments. Whereas, the little sister, is a university student or fresh graduate who is curious to partake in the program and has the desire to receive the support and empowerment she seeks. (Al Hayat, March 16, 2017)

 

Al Fotowa Islamiya Association inaugurated yesterday its 26th annual handicraft fair, ‘Rawai’, at Al Ikhaa National School in the Patriarchate sponsored by Nazik Hariri, wife of late PM Rafik Hariri, who was represented by Huda Tabbara. The venue embraced 38 pavilions showcasing a collection of handicrafts and artisan works, gifts on the occasions of Mothers and Teachers Day, antique items, decorative objects, bedding and bed sets, wood works, embroideries, audio recordings, in addition to traditional mouneh products. During the opening ceremony, the head of Women’s Sector at the Association, Mounira Sahib, said the aim of the expo is to encourage women to promote their artisanal crafts. One beneficiary in this year’s event, Rida Katerji Khudr, described her participation as ‘successful’ as it contributes to promoting her handmade baskets of dates and dried fruits. She lauded the gains from similar undertakings which she said help build productive capacities and marketing skills of women artisans. For her part, Hiyam Bakr from Darb Al Wafaa association said the exhibition presents a real opportunity for marketing handmade items, noting that the association, involved with people with special needs, has contributed, and for the first year, in displaying bamboo and straw gadgets made by its members. The fair is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and will last till March 20. On Sunday, March 19, a big charity bake sale bazaar will take place where proceeds are expected to go to relief purposes. (Al Mustaqbal, March 15, 2017)

  

 

On International Women’s Day, the US Embassy to Lebanon held a reception for the ‘honoring of Lebanese women in the judiciary and security’. The event which aims to shed light on the positive contribution of women in Lebanon in the areas of security and the law, was attended by US Ambassador Elizabeth Richard, the minister of interior, Nuhad Mashnuk and the minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, in addition to Internal Security Forces ISF members and representatives of involved international organizations. Richard pointed out, on the occasion, that “diversity in any institution strengthens it and promotes better performance.” The resilience of any society is measured not through its democratic component or material wealth, but rather “through the way it treats its women constituents,” Richard maintained. While the Lebanese civil strife has impeded and discouraged the enlisting of women in ISF, Richard said, yet the security apparatus has taken a bold step in 2012 by recruiting 90 females in its service, she added. Creativity is not an issue in the country, she maintained, and distinguished human resources are copious, especially among women, Richard expounded. For his part, Mashnuk hailed the role of women as a cornerstone in the foundation and advancement of society amidst a world gushing with the “macho model in the military in the East and West.” He stressed that while the number of women in the Cabinet and Parliament is not outstanding, you can find them everywhere in the security sectors” Mashnuk boasted. (Al Mustaqbal, March 15, 2017)

 

 

 

 

On the occasion of Mothers Day, My Nationality Is A Right For Me And My Family campaign announced that it will stage a sit-in this Sunday March 19, at 11:30 am, in Riad el Solh, Beirut. The purpose of the rally is to remind the authorities of the rights of Lebanese women to full citizenship through amendment and ratification of the current Nationality Law. The Campaign has posted the event on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Lebanese-Womens-Right-to-Nationality-and-Full-Citizenship-144824882142/?fref=ts which read: ‘In the media they say one thing, and in the Parliament they do nothing. It is time to see your statements translated into an act of reform.’