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More violence in Lebanon against women and refugees

1-2-2017

The General Directorate of Internal Security- Public Relations Department, announced yesterday that it received a report on January 30 from a Syrian woman stating that her minor daughter (barely 11 years) has been raped by the family’s landlord (a 47 year old man  from Lebanese nationality). On the same day, the ISF statement said, the Department succeeded in arresting the culprit who confessed to his crime and handed him over to the Judicial Police Unit for further investigation. The ISF Department also reminded citizens and residents of the country to be more watchful of their children and provide them with proper education and awareness, and encourage candid communication on all matters, stressing the importance of speaking up of unusual encounters to help put perpetrators in check and hold them accountable for their crimes. In a related incident, a young 27 year old Syrian man kidnapped a Lebanese girl (15 years) in front of Amchit Public High School and blackmailed her mother in order to give in to his demands. The kidnapper, to note, used to work for the father of the abducted minor. The family of the child has appealed to the minister of interior to save her with the help of the security forces. The IS General Directorate tweeted later that the purpose of the kidnapping was marriage and circulated a communique for investigation as ordered by the competent judiciary. (L’Orient Le Jour, Al Mustaqbal, February 1, 2017)
 
 

 

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Khadamati electronic portal links artisans with employers in Palestine

31-1-2017

The Talal Abou Ghazaleh group and the “Silatuka” company in Qatar signed an agreement yesterday stipulating the building of the Khadamati electronic portal which seeks to link artisans in Palestine to those seeking to use their services.  This portal provides artisans job seekers with the capacity to market and advertise their services and skills.  Employers for their part advertise their needs and the Portal works on matching both parties.  The aim of the initiative is to curb galloping unemployment in Palestine through facilitating employment for graduates of vocational and technical institutes who are in the 20-29 age bracket.  To be noted that unemployment has reached 39% in the West Bank and 52% in Gaza.  The portal will also have a monitoring system which will allow it to assess the work of each artisan as well as encourage him/her to work according to high standard so as to improve his/her potential to secure additional work.  The portal will also provide services to both parties, job seekers and employers, to communicate and exchange continuously, to reach out to artisans, and to judge the credibility of the artisans through their profiles on the portal.  The portal provides a digital scoring system as employers will be given scores when they offer employment and these can be used in exchange of advertisements, discounts, and membership. (Al Mustaqbal, January 31st, 2017)
 

 

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Kafa warning to women against treacherous solicitors

31-1-2017

Kafa issued a statement yesterday warning about certain lawyers who offer their services to women whilst deceptively using Kafa as a reference and asking for monetary rewards in return for their services.  Kafa noted that it has come to know of a number of such lawyers who are taking up cases pretending that they are affiliated to Kafa.  Kafa clarified that the only way to access a Kafa endorsed lawyer is to call on the association directly, speak with a case worker and then appoint a Kafa lawyer.  Any lawyer not following this procedure is not affiliated to Kafa.  The association further clarified that it does not request any monetary compensation for its legal or any other service.  The statement concluded by inviting women to be vigilant and to be cautious of any lawyer who states that he/she is following up their case with a judge on behalf of Kafa when the defendant in question does not have a case file with Kafa.  Kafa hoped that women approached by such lawyers would contact Kafa immediately so that necessary procedures be taken against concerned lawyers. (Al Akhbar, January 31st 2017)
 

 

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Minister of Women’s Affairs supports women’s participation in the public sector

30-1-2017

The Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, Jean Ogassapian, emphasized in an interview with L’Orient le Jour, on the Ministry’s plan to reinforce women’s rights in addition to communication and networking with institutions concerned with women’s affairs.  He added that his Ministry is currently working on launching its own website to inform the public about its course of action. In addition, Ogassapian revealed that his Ministry is currently working on a project approved by the Council of Ministers, which  includes a study on the conditions of women and the impact of conflict and extremism in Lebanon and the region.  Ogassapian indicated that the major challenge that women face, is to arrive at an increase of their participation in the public sector, considering that this will require a social, political and cultural transformation in attitudes. In the same context, Ogassapian noted the achievements of women in the private sector, which is backed and supported by society, whereas the situation is different in the public sector, where the women’s weak representation is surprising according to the Minister. (L’Orient le Jour, January 30, 2017)
 

 

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Lebanese woman television anchor with special needs enters the Guinness Book

30-1-2017

Young Dalia Freifer who lost her eyesight at the age of 18 years after being exposed to a problem in the retina, was able to enter the Guinness Book of Records for the longest television broadcast for 24 hours by ‘Tele Liban’ the Lebanese official television station, where she hosted more than 70 personalities. Freifer kicked off the challenge at 8:00 am last Saturday morning, and ended yesterday morning.  She  hosted during the marathon live broadcast guests from various sectors including intellectuals, cultural, media and arts specialists.  Freifer conducted a series of interviews, without exceeding 15 minutes for each interview, according to the requirements of the Guinness Book of Records. Freifer considered that this adventure was a challenge for herself, and a representation of a humanitarian message to urge people to pay attention to persons with special needs, and provide them rights and livelihoods in Lebanon. (Al-Hayat, Al-Akhbar, January 30, 2017)
 

 

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LGBTQI persons in Lebanon can no longer be charged

30-1-2017

The Legal Agenda reported that Single Criminal Judge in Metn, Rabih Maaluf issued last week a decision to annul pursuits of  LGBTQI persons who were charged based on article 534 of the penal code, which states that “any intercourse act contrary to the order of nature is punishable by prison for a period ranging from one month to one year, and a fine ranging from 200 thousand to one million LL”. The importance of the decision, according to the Legal Agenda, is in basing itself on article 183 of the penal code, where it is considered that “the alleged actions constitute a practice of human rights without any infringement”. In his analysis of “right”, the decision considered that the principle of equality among human beings is one of the most important foundations of a democratic society where each human being has the right to enjoy all rights and freedoms, emphasizing that “such denial of the LGBTQI natural rights to engage in intimate relationships amongst themselves without discrimination or interference from anyone, would result in forcing them to do what is contrary to their nature to be consistent with the practices of the majority”.  This consequently means denying them the enjoyment of their rights that are inherent to their persons, which constitutes a violation to basic human rights that are enshrined within the Lebanese constitution and the international Human rights instruments. Whereas a number of LGBTQI in Lebanon expressed their welcome of that decision, the founder of “Helem” association, George Azzi, emphasized that the best measure is to annul article 534, but he regarded what happened as an achievement to be added to the credit of NGOs that are concerned with LGBTQI rights.  Azzi further noted that this equitable judgment for LGBTQI is not the first. In the same vein, Azzi emphasized that the Lebanese society is ready to annul article 534, based on a study conducted by the Arab Institute for Freedoms and Equality during the past year.  Findings of the study indicate that 90% of the surveyed persons are against violence against LGBTQI, but he pointed out that the battle is not with the society but with the security forces, whose members frequently resort to the use of force when dealing with LGBTQI.  Azzi concluded by clarifying that the demand for LGBTQI right does not imply demand for marriage or adopting children, but to arrive at implementing rights and at equality. (Al-Diyar, L’Orient le Jour, January 30, 2017)

 

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UNFIL workshop in Tyr to strengthen the role of women in decision-making

30-1-2017

The “gender unit” at UNIFIL and the Western Sector Command, organized last Friday a workshop for 70 southern women from the Tyre area.  The event was organized within the framework of the ongoing preparations of the “Open Day for Women, Security and Peace” which UNIFIL celebrates annually. During the event, the commander of the southern sector of UNIFIL, General Ugo Chello, expressed his pleasure in hosting the workshop, underscoring the basic role of women in society, and calling for strengthening their engagement in governmental and local institutions. Chello expressed his intent to unify efforts of UNIFIL and Lebanese women and to support them in order to achieve the desired objectives. On her part, the head of the gender unit at UNIFIL, Afaf Omar, underscored the high participation of women in the event despite challenging weather conditions, pointing out that this indicates the resolve and determination of women to strengthen their role in society, and in assuming decision-making positions. The workshop was concluded with a set of recommendations related to the importance of strengthening women’s participation  in decision-making, and with a discussion of common challenges and priorities to achieve development in communities.  Participants concluded with a discussion on coordination between Lebanese women and UNIFIL women. (Al-Diyar, January 29, 2017)
 

 

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BLC supports a Lebanese woman in reaching Mount Aconcagua

27-1-2017

As part of ‘We Initiative’ launched by the Banque Libanaise pour le Commerce (BLC) and aiming at empowering women and helping them achieve their full potential, BLC have provided support to Lebanese mountain climber, Joyce Azzam, in her trip to Argentina to reach the peak of mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America and the highest peak outside the Himalaya mountains, which reaches 6962 meters. It is noteworthy that Azzam left Lebanon on January 24th to engage in this adventure that will take one month, which is part of a series of mountain climbing adventures entitled “The Explorers’ Grand Slam” based on challenging explorers to reach the North and South Poles, in addition to climbing the highest peaks in the seven continents. The number of female and male adventurers who succeeded in reaching such peaks reached 51 climbers of whom 12 are women. On that occasion, the vice chairperson of the board and General Manager of the bank, Nadim Al Qassar, stated that “Joyce embodies diligence to achieve dreams and break barriers, calling for bold women to join her in her quest”, pointing out that she forms in her determination an authentic embodiment of the ‘We Initiative’, since she aims at reaching the highest peaks and arriving at new horizons, inspiring women to do the same”. (Al-Akhbar, January 27, 2017)
 

 

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A Proposed law to prevent objectifying women in media and advertisement

27-1-2017

The Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, Jean Ogassapian, declared that his ministry is in the process of preparing a legislative proposal prohibiting stereotyping and objectifying women in the fields of media and advertising, in order to curb violence that [women] are subjected to, and which reinforces discrimination and marginalization [of women]. Ogassapian pointed out that the Council of Ministers, addressed during the session held last Wednesday several programs that are presented on some of the Lebanese television stations.  He emphasized commitment to freedom of the media, on condition that such freedom does not violate public morality, or harm the image of Lebanese women, their dignity and basic rights. Ogassapian statement follows wide public complaints, against several television programs that contained a lot of inappropriate language, sexual innuendoes, and objectifying of women, especially the program entitled “Take Me Out, Naqshet” which is screened on LBCI channel.  This also prompted also the Minister of Information, Melhem Riachi, to convene a meeting, yesterday, to examine the content of these programs. On his part, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Lebanese Institution (LBCI), Pierre el-Daher, stated that he will personally supervise the content of that program to prevent it from falling into a morally forbidden area. (The Daily Star, Annahar, January, 27, 2017)
 

 

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After two Nepali women activists, GS detains two other women on charge of espionage for the enemy

27-1-2017

General Security (GS) detained last Wednesday, two women domestic workers of Nepalese nationality, on the charge of espionage for Israeli enemy. According to a statement issued by GS, investigations revealed that the two afore-mentioned Nepalese women were active in field of recruitment of Nepali foreign domestic workers of the Nepalese in Lebanon in service of the Israel, through providing them with the telephone numbers of Israeli embassy in Nepal in order to gather information about their sponsors for the Israeli’s intelligence agency. In addition to the two Nepalese, the security forces detained two Lebanese individuals of the Lebanese and a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon on the same charge. It is noteworthy that the General Security detained on last December 11th, two Nepalese domestic worker activists Sujana and Rosy who were members of the Council of the Syndicate of Male and Female Domestic Workers, (c.f: http://bit.ly/2gCoFfa)). Sujana was subsequently deported, whereas Rosi was held in detention, At the time SG actions raised protest from some of human rights organizations, while security officials alleged that the two women were involved in smuggling of domestic workers and assisting them to leave their sponsors’ places [of residence]”. (Al-Akhbar, The Daily Star, and L’Orient le Jour, January 27, 2017).
 
 

 

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