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The ministry of labor announced in a statement yesterday that it has suspended the licenses of some 171 agencies recruiting migrant domestic workers for violating required regulations. The ministry has also deactivated the licenses of another 33 offices giving them one-month ultimatum to redress their conditions, the statement said. This leaves some 441 active legalized agencies out of a total of 700 recently operational ones. This step, the statement explained, comes after arduous work by a senior staff ministry committee which studied the cases of agencies on an individual basis. The labor ministry also advised households to deal only with legal offices, otherwise they shall be accountable for aiding violating recruiters. Furthermore, the ministry urged the families who have live-in migrant help to “respect their human, personal, social and financial rights and treat them fairly”. On the other hand, Al Mustaqbal newspaper reported yesterday the death of an Ethiopian domestic worker who threw herself from the ninth floor of her employer’s residence in the Shiya7h suburb of the capital. As per usual, security squads rushed to the scene for investigation. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, November 30, 2016)

 

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The Gathering of Women Associations in Mount Lebanon issued a statement yesterday responding to former minister Wi’am Wahhab, without naming him, who mentioned in a televised program the absence of a role for institutions, particularly women bodies, in the mountain area. The statement pointed out that the Gathering is the umbrella of over 50 women associations, that work “for sustainable welfare, revival of the state and service of citizens in the various social, health, educational, development, services and environmental arenas.” The Gathering is “keen on preserving internal stability and civil peace, refusing to be trapped in trivial talk show blather,” the statement said, stressing that such talk about absence of institutions in fact undermines the achievements, accomplishments and struggles of dozens of bodies in the service of the community. “This is totally inacceptable and aims to create turbulence,” the statement warned. “Voices advocating the narrow rights of confessional groups in fact divide rather than unite, and jeopardise national unity….”, the statement added. (Al Mustaqbal, November 29, 2016)

 

MP Bahiya Hariri said that the women representation quota is a transitional phase that will facilitate women’s access to the Parliament after which they can be elected in their own right. Hariri was speaking during the First Regional Meeting of Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP) held in cooperation with the Lebanese Parliament under the theme: ‘Healthy Women, Healthy Economies’. Hariri underlined the importance of women in being able to prove their capacities as deputies of the nation and not only as deputies of women”. While revealing the many challenges that faced women in the local municipal councils for lack of support, Hariri hailed the relatively sound level of education among women (nearly 52%). “If this is the case, why don’t women seize their roles, not only in politics, but also in state jobs, the private sector and in society,” Hariri concluded. On the other hand, minister Alice Shabtini, cited the strong support to women shown by prime minister designate, Saad Hariri, who, she said, insists on taking on women ministers in the imminent cabinet. Shabtini was speaking yesterday at the First Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Women’s Rights, under the title, ‘transition from ministerial outputs to development of policies on gender equality in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Shabtini pointed out in her intervention that “women in most countries still suffer from prevailing patriarchal mindsets, especially in Arab countries.” As an initial step, she advised, the United Nations and the European Union must move quickly to declare a state of emergency to implement development initiatives in poverty stricken regions, create jobs and earmark adequate support for women. (Al Mustaqbal, AL Diyar, November 29, 2016)

 

With the support of the Waldensian Evangelical Church and in partnership with Zahleh-Maalaqa and Taanayel Municipality, the Italian ICU association implemented a ‘cash for work’ project over a period of three months. The project targeted the most vulnerable groups of Lebanese and Syrian refugees, especially women and young men over 18 years of age who lack appropriate educational or professional aptitudes to help them find employment. Such program generates income for this group through work in sectors mostly needed by the local and host communities, said ICU director, Jose Antonio Naya Villaverdi. Some 30 women and 30 men, 80% of whom were Syrian refugees, benefited from the 50 thousand-euro program funded by the Evangelical Church. Each beneficiary was expected to receive a daily wage of 15 euros for sorting garbage (as a job for women) and collecting and dumping waste at the sanitary landfill of Zahle and its Caza (for young men). Three of these beneficiaries, namely Shams el Omr, Dalal and Khanem, demonstrate the miserable circumstances women refugees live up with since being displaced by war to Lebanon and forced to become the breadwinners of their families while living in camps for Syrian refugees. (An Nahar, November 29, 2016)

 

As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, standpoints in favor of intensification of efforts to this effect continue. In this respect, the British Embassy to Lebanon disclosed that on December 1, the Coalition of Women Arab MPs combat violence against women (Lebanon included) will publish the first draft of an Arab Agreement to Fight Violence against Women. It pointed out that the coaltion sends, through the above agreement, a strong political signals on the urgency of adjustment of the Law on the Protection of Women and Girls from Domestic Violence, the punishment of violators and provision of care for the victims. Similarly, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, said that every time “we commemorate this Day we admit the failure of our societies,” pointing out that as decision makers, “we should bear a greater responsibility in protecting women and spreading awareness,” on the issue. On the local official front, Caretaker Minister of Interior, Nuhad Mashnook, reiterated the preparedness of the security forces to respond to any grievance related to violence against women. Mashnook recalled that since the beginning of this year, the General Directorate of the Security Forces has recorded and accordingly handled some 132 domestic violence related complaints. The minister also urged citizens to report similar incidents to GSF competent units by dialing the hot line on 112 for help. MP Elie Kayruz, for his part, appealed to the government to take all necessary procedural measures that lead to a better and more humanitarian implementation of the law on domestic violence. He called for stepping up efforts to develop a law repealing Article 522 of the Penal Code. Prime Minister Designate, Saad Hariri, pressed for a speedy trial and rigorous punishment of the perpetrators. 

(As Safir, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, November 25 and 26, 2016)

 

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In a joint statement issued yesterday on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the European Commission to Beirut warned “enough is enough” in response to the continuous suffering of women inside the EU states and across the globe. The statement said that women are still beaten and are sexually and economically abused, raped or harassed on the streets or at the workplace. One out of 3 women in the European Union are exposed to countless forms of gender based violence, the statement said, pointing that 25% of women in the EU are subjected to sexual or physical violence from the age of 15, with many cases going unreported. The European Commission stressed the need to step up efforts to combat all forms of violence against women through challenging stereotypes that undermine women while evidencing that violence against women is intolerable. The Commission also stated that girls and women are considered vulnerable during conflicts and emergency situations, especially with the mounting incidents of aggression, extortion, exploitation and trafficking, as well as, other forms of gender based violence. Additionally, the EU statement noted that women and girls, particularly coming from foreign countries after a dangerous journey, face risks of violence from smugglers and emigrants, and even from the official authorities in some states. “We shall spare no effort to change the circumstances,” the EU statement said, mentioning that some 3.4 million girls, women, boys and men from around the world are expected to benefit from relevant humanitarian programs. As part of the EU 2016-2020 Gender Action Plan in the framework of external relations, “We shall continue to support girls and women who are subject to violation of their rights all over the world,” the EU statement added. Today, the European Commission is launching a set of activities for 2017 in this direction, and has allocated a sum of 10 million euros to support efforts for the prevention of gender based violence and its victims inside the EU states, the statement concluded. (Al Diyar, November 25, 2016)

 

Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation organization warned in a statement yesterday the government who has not respected the deadlines set for the development of a civil personal status law and that is in total disregard to the role of civil judiciary. Since its creation, the statement said, the Lebanese State, has been procrastinating this issue under the pretext that it is the responsibility of religious authorities and supported by Article 9 of the Constitution. “This kind of argument no longer convinces us, for we know that any legislation cannot be enacted if it is contrary to the Constitution,” the statement added. Kafa criticized the government’s reluctance to formulate a civil and fair law that does not view women as “subordinate” to men, warning that this year will witness stepped-up efforts to “expose what is going on, not only within the private spheres marital homes, but also behind the secluded doors of spiritual courts which are immune to accountability and responsibility.” “It is true that the Lebanese Constitution under Article 9, has safeguarded the personal status system and religious interests, yet it never ensured respect for the basic rights of women. Moreover, it went as far as justifying the forced marriage of minors, depriving mothers of their children, cautioning women to exercise patience, preventing many women from filing for divorce and determining an alimony barely enough to clothe a child,” the statement said. Today, which coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, presents an opportunity to question the relation between the alimony, children custody and other civil matters with religion or sect. With the presence of competent civil judiciary, these issues should fall within their powers, the statement noted. “The Government’s responses no longer persuade us, nor do the political and spiritual ranks intimidate us. What they consider as untouchable is in fact a secular law, adjustable and adaptable. Now is the time for the government to reinstate authorities to their rightful place,” Kafa statement concluded. (Al Mustaqbal, November 25, 2016) 

 

Makhzoomi Foundation signed on Monday a cooperation agreement with Positive Planet Foundation aimed at training Lebanese youth and Syrian refugees on various fields to enhance their professional and educational skills and develop sustainable small enterprises, as well as introduce them to lending institutions. The project includes training of some 190 young men and women aged between 18- 25 years over a period of 18 months. According to the agreement, Makhzoomi Foundation will provide skills training for the youth, following courses for training of trainers by the international foundation. Professional skills covered by the project are, hairdressing for men and women and cooking, as explained by Malak Hoot from Makhzoomi to L’Orient Le Jour newspaper. Hoot said that out of 71 selected participants 70% were women and 50% Syrian refugees. Positive Planet has secured USD 107,413 of the overall cost of the program (estimated at USD 287,413) through a collective fundraising campaign. The remaining USD 180 thousand were secured from private sector donors, namely, Pepsico, Barkleys and Tamer Group. (L’Orient Le Jour, November 24, 2016)

 

The Syndicate of Nurseries Owners in Lebanon organized on Saturday a conference in Tripoli entitled, ‘early detection of learning difficulties in children’. The event comes as part of Safadi Cultural Center’s joint awareness activities with daycares and its efforts to develop the sector involved with children in the first fundamental years of their lives. The conference which targets nurseries community in Lebanon, particularly in the North, aims at spreading ground rules for daycare through the assistance of early childhood specialists and the latest scientific techniques in the field. On the occasion, Violet Safadi, sponsor of the conference, stressed the contributing and pivotal role of daycares in establishing and shaping the personality of the children during their early formative years, urging nurseries to coordinate closely with the Syndicate to this effect. Safadi also hailed the role of the Syndicate which has contributed in reducing the level of accidents in daycares, underlying the importance of teamwork in pressuring authorities concerned to streamline educational guiding principles which help create a safe environment for children, and thus preparing the generation to “know how to bend without breaking.” (Al Diyar, November 22, 2016)

 

Suicide incidents among migrant women domestic workers (MWDW) continue to recur, without raising any eyebrow by concerned people in Lebanon. In this respect, The Daily Star newspaper published in its issue of 19 November, that a domestic worker hung herself in Iqlim al-Kharrub town of Al-Burjain Friday in an apparent suicide. The Ethiopian worker, born in 1992, was found dead at the house of her employer, and security forces arrived at the scene and opened an investigation, while a coroner examined the body and declared the death a suicide. (Daily Star 19 November 2016)

 

Previous related news:

Why the recurrent suicide cases of migrant women workers?

Ethiopian MWDW slain in Jarju3, Nabatieh

Yet another suicide attempt by an Ethiopian woman domestic worker in Tripoli

A migrant woman worker assassinated in Beirut for “personal reasons”!