News updates

In its issue of today, L’Orient Le Jour newspaper brought to light the worsening situation of Libyan women following the February 17, 2011 protests against the late Qaddafi regime. The newspaper recalled a directive issued last February 16th by the military governor of the North Eastern district, Abdel Razak Nazuri, banning the travel of Libyan women under 60 years without ‘mahram’ (a male relative or close family member to act as "guardian"). The decision was modified under the pressure of broad criticisms, particularly among women, to become, ‘the ban of women – without mahram- between 18 years and 45 years of age’. Nazuri linked his decision to public interest, as it helped ease off undesirable consequences of the travel of Libyan women, as some were found out to have connections with foreign intelligence services. Commenting on the subject, Hanan Salah, a Human Rights Watch researcher, explained that the above decision is the first of its kind in the country. Another political observer, and head of the Study and Research Center for the Arab and Mediterranean World (CERMAM), Hasana Obeidi, described the decision as a blow to Libyan women. Such acts, she said, constitute a flagrant violation of human rights and international treaties on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women which Libya is a signatory. Obeidi recounted how Libyan women are systematically suppressed to stop demanding their rights, bringing to mind the killing in 2014 of the lawyer and activist, Salwa Boguez, and the 2016 detention of activist Jaber Zeinnidin, after a lecture on women’s rights. (L’Orient Le Jour, March 3, 2017)

The Lebanese Committee for UNESCO announced that nominations for L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards 2017 are now open for women scientists from Africa and the Arab States. The annual event, to recall, is launched by L’Oreal in partnership with UNESCO and the National Council for Scientific Research in Lebanon. The aim is to promote and encourage outstanding Arab women who present a unique career path and deep commitment in the fields of physical sciences and biology. This year’s program will honor 7 distinguished Arab laureates, who will receive 3 post doctorate scholarships worth of Euro 10 thousand each, in addition to 4 doctorate fellowships (Euro 6 thousand each) for Arab women researchers at laboratories or research centers in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. For more information on applications, please visit the website:  www.fwis.fr. On the subject, Al Hayat newspaper in its edition of today interviewed three researchers from Egypt who had previously received grants from the above program.  These  are Dr. Nortan Abdel Wahab, (professor at the Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University), Dr Hiba Salameh, (professor at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Alexandria) and Dr. Shahenda Najjar (director of Basic Research Department and molecular biology scientist, 57357 Children’s Cancer Hospital). Abdel Wahhab, winner of 2015 fellowship for research on infectious diseases and heredoimmunity, told the newspaper that she is currently working on the development of a genetic test that ensures a more specialized treatment and therefore determines the right treatment to the right patient. Dr. Salameh, winner of 2016 award for her doctoral dissertation on improving the production of animal fodder crops for better milk and meat quality, said the main problem in Egypt is not in the handiness of human resources apt for research and innovation, but in their resilience and capacity to hang on in the field. Finally, Najjar, winner of the L'Oreale-UNESCO 2011 program for children’s cancer research, stressed that only scientific research can help improve patients treatments and increase the prospects of cure. (Al Hayat, NNA, March 2, 2017)

 

During a general assembly attended by its founding members, the Lebanese Business Association World (RDCL World) elected its first board of directors, which included: Fuad Zmokhol (president), Toni Gharib (vice-president), Farid Dahdah (secretary), Elie Aoun (general secretary), and Elie Abu Jawdeh, Mona Bawarshi, Emile Shawi, Elias Dumit, Karim Farsun, George Gharib, Nassib Nassr and Riad Obegi as members. On the occasion, the president elect underlined the main objectives of the association which is to create a steadfast Lebanese economic lobby in the world based on a distinctive, substantial and solid force. Zmokhol identified the priorities of the new world team as follows: 1) build and strengthen partnerships with leading global institutions like, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); 2) create synergies with commercial, social and unionist international associations, like the Francophone University Association (AUF) and L’Institut de Prospective Economique du Monde Mediterraneen (IPEMED); 3) to finalize procedures for Lebanon’s access to giant economic cartels, like for example, the South American Economic Organization (Mercosur), World Trade Organization (WTO) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC); 4) build permanent channels of cooperation and communication with academia and students in Lebanon in the framework of the Francophone countries and the world; 5), maintain close relations with various embassies in Lebanon, and 6) and protect openness to the world as well as organize economic delegations to various continents. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, March 2, 2017)

 

In a special feature today, Al Hayat newspaper drew attention to the continuous suffering of displaced Syrian women who strive to make the most of their potentials to provide for their families. Faten, for example, has found salvation in sewing after she received a sewing machine from a charity that supports refugees and encourages them to engage in small businesses in order to secure a modest income, Al Hayat wrote. Besides sewing, women refugees are functional in other trades, especially when the male breadwinner is absent. One of the jobs at hand, Al Hayat mentioned, is catering the traditional food (mouneh). Karima, an expert in mouneh products (the Syrian version) , excels in making the famous ‘makdous’ (aubergine pickles) which she sells to the Lebanese or to fellow refugees. However, Karima grieved, the capital remains a stumbling block. “If the sales are weak, I can hardly find money to buy the needed aubergines, pecans, olive oil or other basic ingredients needed for the makdous,” Karima told the reporter. Al Hayat also highlighted another Syrian women refugee vocation, namely handworks, which are largely promoted by community groups who organize small-scale exhibitions to showcase the talents and aptitudes of women crafts workers, or provide the raw material workers need. (Al Hayat, March 2, 2017)

The state minister for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, launched yesterday the structure, vision and electronic portal of his ministry at the Grand Serail in the presence of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. During the launch event which saw the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with UNDP, Ogassapian announced his ministry’s roadmap which observes equal civil, economic, social, cultural and political rights of women on par with men, the enhancement of women’s capacities and integration of women’s rights in the core of the sustainable national development strategy. As for the ministry’s website which still has no clear web address, Ogassapian stressed its fundamental role in presenting the ministry’s strategy and achievements and in facilitating communication between the various public departments and local and international NGOs involved with women. For his part, Hariri reiterated his full backing to women’s representation quota as a precondition for the upcoming electoral law, pledging to implement the directive issued during his 2010 term in government to promote women’s access to senior posts in the State after being suspended for 7 years as a result of impeding social and cultural traditions, according to Hariri. (Al Hayat, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, March 1, 2017)

  

The minister for women’s affairs in the new cabinet, Jean Ogassapian, tweeted yesterday in support of the adoption of the women’s representation quota (not less than 30%) in any projected draft electoral law. He also disclosed that he will launch the new structure of his ministry today from the Grand Serail in the presence of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Ogassapian stressed in his tweets that completing the structural groundwork in record time underscores a serious resolution on the part of the government to take to a new level the reality of women in the country. He also revealed a direction by the PM to issue a recommendation requiring the implementation of the quota in appointments for state jobs. In conclusion, Ogassapian reiterated his determination to modify the unfair legislations against women, particularly those related to work, social security, penalties and nationality. (Al Mustaqbal, February 28, 2017)

 

The State Commissioner to the Military Court, Judge Saqr Saqr appealed for cassation against an earlier ruling in the killing of Eliane Saftali demanding re-trial of the accused, Hassan Hamiyeh. Saqr decided that the verdict was null and void and therefore should be repeated. To recall, Saftali was shot dead by mistake on January 12, 2015, outside a nightclub in Kaslik area north of Beirut. It should be noted, that the first Military Investigative Judge, Riad Abu Ghida, has issued an accusatory verdict maintaining that Hamiyeh’s act is a felony of wrongful death punished according to Penal Code Article 550 which stipulates that “anyone who takes the life of another person by negligence or lack of precaution or observance of prevalent laws and regulations is punished with imprisonment from 6 months up to 3 years.” Abu Ghida also issued an arrest warrant and accusation against the defendant in line with Article 72 on Weapons and Munitions. As such, the penalty for the possession or transfer of weapons and ammunition without permit should be not less than one month in prison and neither should the arm bearer be sentenced with probation in the case of using carried weaponry. (L’Orient Le Jour, February 28, 2017)

The Palestinian Democratic Women’s Organization (Nada) held yesterday an artisan heritage fair for women at the Cultural Center in Saadnayel, the Beqaa. The event was opened under the patronage of dignitary Myriam Skaf in the presence of concerned figures. It embraced works of art and handicrafts by the Palestinian Diaspora in the Beqaa and in camps across Lebanon. On the occasion, Nada’s representative, Rana Awwad, underlined the role of women in preserving the Palestinian identity and legacy. (Al Mustaqbal, February 28, 2017)

The secretary general of the Union of Arab Banks (UAB), Wissam Fatuh, disclosed in a statement last week that the UAB will hold a conference in Beirut next Friday focusing on the empowerment of women in the banking and financial sectors. The conference will be organized under the sponsorship of the minister for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, in coordination with the World Union of Arab Bankers. Fatuh said that as the summit seeks to expand the role of women in the industry, invitations have been sent to various Arab civil society organizations involved with women’s rights and affairs, as well as to the secretary general of the Arab Women Organization affiliated with the Arab League. Fatuh mentioned that there are currently some 16 women general managers in Lebanon, pointing to a tendency by the government to step up the role of women in ministries, the Parliament and in the banking and finance industries. He concluded by stressing the important role women can play in raising awareness and the development of society, with special focus on rural women who boast potentials in running small and medium enterprises if provided with the proper funding. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, February 25, 2017)

 

Facebook launched a special program (#SheMeansBusiness) to train women entrepreneurs on how to use their presence in social media to promote their businesses. Facebook wants to publish its global program in the MENA region to stimulate women to use FB and Instagram as platforms for their commercial activities. The program also seeks to celebrate the successes and contributions of enterprises owned by women in MENA and highlight the significant role of both FB and Instagram in supporting and empowering women to better communicate, participate and grow. #SheMeansBusiness- MENA is expected to conclude partnerships with a number of institutions in the UAE and Egypt for the training of some 10 thousand beneficiaries over the course of a year. Through a network of partners, the program will organize a series of workshops and training courses, as well as provide electronic resources to equip women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, connections and technology needed to build their companies via the internet. (Al Mustaqbal, February 26, 2017)