News updates

In its issue of October 15, The Daily Star newspaper published a feature on the migrant women domestic workers (MWDWs) with a special focus on their provision of care for the elderly. This phenomenon, the newspaper wrote, has grown to become a part of the daily assignments of a big number of those workers besides their regular housekeeping and cleaning chores. For more insight on the subject, The Daily Star spoke to a number of elderly people who acknowledged the positive role of domestic workers in their lives, especially with the semi-absence of family members who are pre-occupied with managing their own lives. With the increasing number of seniors in Lebanon, the newspaper said, elderly care has become a rising concern for the majority of households, given the still prevalent norms in society which stigmatize the act of placing an elderly family member in a nursing home. The newspaper moreover, citing a big number of families, drew attention to the fact that contracting domestic helpers for the elderly is economically more viable compared to professional care which can be very expensive. To expound on this, the newspaper interviewed the professor at the Health Sciences Faculty at the American University of Beirut, Dr. Sawsan Abdel Rahim. The latter identified some of the difficulties arising from certain situations where, for example, the senior family member, need special medical care or special food for which MWDWs do not have the required skilled training and qualifications. Over and above, Abdel Rahim explained, caring for seniors can also be emotionally traumatic for domestic workers, and in most cases their salary remains unchanged. Abdel Rahim concluded by referring to a study she completed last year on the reasons for hiring domestic help. According to that survey which covered 1200 individuals, some 20% of respondents said they hired the domestic worker to care for an elderly family member, while another 20% mentioned care for young children. (The Daily Star, October 17, 2016)

 

In its edition of today, Al Hayat newspaper wrote that the issue of gender is not a novelty in Lebanon, pointing out to women activists who have remained resolute since their early struggle against patriarchal mindsets deep-seated in society. The newspaper drew attention to the latest organized moves by civil society organizations which crisscrossed with the media work to contribute to shaping the public opinion trends seeking to prioritize the issue of gender. For this trend, the newspaper went on to analyze, constitutes the basis for feminist causes and on it depends the reformation of the social awareness on the role of women in society. Al Hayat wrote that when one becomes consciously aware of the difference between sex and gender, his/her mind will be inspired or spurred to search for social norms which seriously harm women through curbing their capacities. On the subject, the newspaper highlighted last month’s action by FeMale association under the title ‘coverage of women’s issue from a gender perspective’, which brought together a number of journalists from the various media channels. Participants were drawn think through brainstorming sessions on the differences between sex and gender. Al Hayat also interviewed the writer and journalist Sahar Mandoor who confirmed that the local media is experiencing radical transformation in its approach to gender-related discrimination issues. (Al Hayat, October 13, 2016)

 

“Lubnaniyoon” association, held yesterday a large meeting at Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut, to discuss the electoral laws in the presence of a big number of political, social and media figures. During the meeting which was run by journalist Gisele Khury, a documentary was screened introducing the organization and the notion of women’s quota. Afterwards, the president of Lubnaniyoon, Nadine Daher, underlined the importance of commitment to international conventions to which Lebanon is a signatory and which instates the incorporation of a representation quota in all elections-related legislations. Several interventions by political parties’ women representatives were made on the subject. Wafa Farhat from the Progressive Socialist Party, for example, called for the development of an elections law that allows participation of all the components of society, endorses the principles of democracy and meets the higher national goals. Similarly, Mirna Zakharia from Tayar al Marada, called for “launching an alternative strategy that keeps with our current times while respecting the particularities of the nation.” Speaking on behalf of the Lebanese Forces (LF), Maya Zighrini, pointed out that women in LF handle responsibilities in various sectors and departments and are efficient members in the Central Council and Executive Committee. And while Maryam Chami from Amal Movement, criticized the rift in the stand of the Lebanese women which prevents them from reaching decision making positions, her colleague in the Kataeb Party, Mira Wakim, described women’s quota as a form of positive intervention which facilitates their participation in political life. Afifa Sayyid from the Future Movement, recalled Saad Hariri’s pledge to give women and the youth a representation quota inside the Tayyar by 40% during the upcoming general conference in November. Finally, Rana Saadeh, speaking for “Jama3a Islamiyya”, underlined her group’s efforts to uplift the representation of women in all fields. (Al Mustaqbal, October 14, 2016)

 

The President of Kayani Foundation, Nura Jumblat, received on Tuesday the LennonOno Award for Peace 2016 from Yoko Ono in Reykjavik, Iceland in the presence of a large number of participants, including Icelandic officials and some 200 international and diplomatic figures, in addition to Kayani Friends representative in the US. To recall, the prize is awarded every two years to dignitaries from around the world for their achievements in the fields of arts, culture or humanitarian issues. The nominees for this year’s grant were: Anish Kapoor, Ai Weiwie, Katalin Ladik and Olafur Eliasson. Ai Weiwei has named Kayani Foundation asking Nura Jumblat to receive the prize. During the ceremony, Jumblat explained the work of her foundation with Syrian refugee in Lebanon, particularly in the area of education, as well as emotional and social support to children. In conclusion, Jumblat appealed for ending the war in the neighbouring country as well as the suffering and hardships of Syrians. (Al Mustaqbal, October 13, 2016)

 

 

On the occasion of the graduation yesterday of 227 students from the First and Second Branches of the School of Information at Lebanese University (LU), As Safir daily newspaper interviewed a number of women graduates who voiced concern over the uncertainty of the post-graduation worklife. One student, Nour, expressed her fear of not finding jobs amidst the stressful economic conditions experienced by most of the local establishments in the media. Malak, on the other hand, had her different views of the sector. “It is a broad and competent industry with great capacity for accommodation,” she said, but the problem, she added, is in the multiple partisan and confessional considerations underpinning the country and the employment prospects and requisites. To work for any media channel, Malak lamented, one has to observe its line of thought, and therefore, cannot be fully independent or objective in what she or he delivers. She also identified a discriminatory attitude towards women graduate who choose to wear the hijab (veil), as they are instantly stigmatized and considered unfit for employment. Another student, Pamela Abu Hanna, was critical of the poor record of the Press and Editors Syndicates in protecting the journalists and the industry. 

(As Safir, October 11, 2016)

 

In collaboration with Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation organization, the National Trade Union of Workers and Employees in Lebanon held yesterday a joint workshop with the Trade Union of Migrant Women Domestic Workers (MWDW) for legal awareness on the rights of MWDWs in Lebanon. Participants included, besides Lebanese workers, some 35 workers from different nationalities, mainly, Madagascar, Senegal, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Togo. Kafa lawyer, Mohana Isaac, outlined the problems associated with so-called sponsorship or ‘kafala’ system, notably, the obstruction of the basic rights of MWDWs, including their right to change their present employer or adjust their legal status through the courts. The workshop also raised the prospects of legal appeal to civil courts by the MWDWs to claim their economic rights or receive appropriate compensation in case of physical abuse while observing the deadlines set for trials, the jurisdiction of courts and the tools or means of evidence. The workers, also focused mainly on the difficulties they face in adjusting their legal status in case of violation of their residency requisites or accusing them of a felony. (Al Mustaqbal, October 11, 2016)

 

Sayidat al Jabal League in Aley granted some 33 scholarships for students of the School of Business-Lebanese University (LU), Fourth Branch, during a gathering held last Friday at the  association's Aley premises, Mount Lebanon. Present were the President of the LU branch, Dr. Ramsey Saab, president of the League of Friends and Alumni of LU, Ikhlas Abul Hassan Moghrabi, as well as personnel, faculty members and students. Moghrabi thanked Sayidat al Jabal for its support to motivated students in order to help them reach higher objectives in education and later on at senior positions. Moghrabi maintained that the grants are the outcome of joint efforts by the League, LU and Friends of LU. Towards the end, scholarships were distributed among the students who were selected based on precise information about their conditions. (Al Mustaqbal, October 10, 2016)

 

As part of its efforts to develop creative digital visioning, the leading mobile operator in Lebanon, Touch, led by Zein Group, partook in the Innovation Weekend held at the beginning of October as part of the business accelerator activities 2016 sponsored by the Bank of Lebanon. The 3-day event, which was organized by SETT & Startup Megaphone, in collaboration with Seeqnce, included a series of separate workshops, with one main focus, to introduce a thinking design concept as an efficient model for finding the best solutions. In a statement, Touch said the event represented a perfect opportunity for the company to transform its experience in the communications sector into an educational research and learning tool to benefit the young minds. On the subject, Touch Chief Commercial Officer, Nadim Khater, commended the company’s involvement in similar educative competitions which employ effective designs that stimulate thinking out of the box. It promotes the skills of young people, he said, to produce the best solutions, allowing their exposure to real life instances through engaging in real business challenges. For her part, founder of SETT Partners, Tamara Zakharia, said that the purpose of the above workshop is mainly to build bridges between students and establishments, particularly fresh graduates, equipping them with the required skills that facilitate their lookout for innovation-based digital jobs offered by the labor market. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, October 8, 2016)

 

The minister of the displaced, Alice Shabtini, stressed the need for meetings that promote the social status of women and secure better environment for the development of their capacities. Shabtini was speaking during the Second Regional Forum for Social Responsibility 2016 organized between October 3-4 by the Arab Women’s Council. The Lebanese minister called for easing restrictions on women laid by outdated regimes and patriarchal mindsets seeking to prevent their emancipation. Shabtini also chaired a dialogue session entitled ‘support for and provision of the basic needs of women refugees and their rehabilitation to participate in reconstruction of devastated areas’, where she stressed the need to launch a UN program to this effect. Recalling the intense Lebanese experience in this context, Shabtini lauded the work of the ministry of the displaced which succeeded in the return of the internally-displaced Lebanese people to their land in the post-civil war era. “We are available and willing to extend our experience as a model to be replicated in the different countries in the region which host refugees, particularly, those coming from Syria,” Shabtini concluded.  (Al Mustaqbal, October 6, 2016)

 

In an article published today, L’Orient Le Jour brought to light a new initiative launched from the village of Kahluniyeh in Shuf area, and managed by a group of some 100 volunteers operating in 8 regions of the Shuf Moutain. The Shuf Entrepreneur, as it is named, was founded by Haitham Saab, CEO of the software development company, TechGenies, and founder of the Knowledge Exchange Forum. The initiative is aimed to support the young people and women, as well as small and medium enterprise (SMEs) to empower them through the development of professional skills. Throughout his work at TechGenies, Saab said he identified some gaps between the aptitudes of youth and the size of the required professional skills. What inspired him to kick off the project, he pointed out, is the Directive No. 331 issued by the Bank of Lebanon and related to the support of SMEs, particularly those in the domain of IT. The Shuf Entrepreneur, Saab explained, works along 4 levels: the development of entrepreneurships in rural areas; building professional skills and capacities; empowerment of women and support of SMEs. In his interview with L’Orient Le Jour, Saab focused on women which he maintained has the lion’s share of the group’s attention, downplaying the outdated cultural assumption that that women’s capacities are less than men’s. He underscored that the program seeks to empower women so as to cope with impeding challenges and identify appropriate businesses for their skills and circumstances, including for example, working from home.

(L’Orient Le Jour, October 5, 2016)