News updates

The National Gathering to Abolish Discrimination Against Women considered in a statement issued yesterday that the Lebanese Parliament’s return to the 1960 Electoral Law under numerous pretexts is a crime against the democratic system and could provoke further unwanted conflicts in the Lebanese society. The statement stressed that laying the grounds for a better future necessitates the building of a civil and democratic state that is immune to instabilities outsides its borders. This, the statement went on to say, can only be achieved through a contemporary electoral law that readdresses the current ill representation in political decision-making positions. In its note on the recent municipal elections, the statement mentioned that the outcomes of above elections in many areas “have reflected a general eagerness for change, as well as an actual progress by Lebanese women in nominating themselves to senior mayoral and municipal positions.” The Gathering pressed the need for modifying the present municipal legislation so as to observe the following elements: proportional representation, a single electoral constituency for all of Lebanon, women’s quota representation, and the lowering of the voting age. The statement closed by reiterating the key causes the Gathering has been struggling to achieve since 1999, notably, the Nationality Law and the Unified Civil Code of Personal Status, calling on partner organizations to join forces to this end. (An Nahar, June 22, 2016)

 

Following a session of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee yesterday, the Minister of Interior Nuhad Mashnuq pledged to follow up the disciplinary investigations which started after the uncovering of the infamous women trafficking network east of Beirut and which will expectedly end this coming July (the news: http://www.lkdg.org/ar/node/14988). MP Michel Musa, who headed the session in the presence of Mashnuq and the Social Affairs Minister, Rashid Derbas, announced that the investigation will involve any member of the Security Forces with proven participation or complicity in this crime. Musa confirmed that the act of human trafficking violates international conventions and harms the country’s reputation globally. Similarly, Derbas reportedly promised to protect and follow-up the cases of victims of human trafficking and prostitution under a partnership agreement between his ministry and concerned civil associations.  In the same vein, the Arab Center for the Development of the Rule of Law and Integrity (ACRLI) in collaboration with the German Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), are organizing a national workshop on Human Trafficking. According to the Director of Projects Department at ACRLI, Nelly Rihan, the crime of human trafficking is the “most appalling assault on human rights, because it infringes on the dignity of the individual and is closely associated with the security of citizens and with promoting social stability.” She made clear that fighting trafficking requires international efforts and cooperation, aided with internal legislations and regulations as means for prevention and deterrence of such crimes. 

(Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, June 22, 2016)

 

A number of representatives of six clubs at the Lebanese University (LU) staged a sit-in yesterday at the Central Administration, Museum area, in Beirut, to protest a social media post by one of the students in Nabatiyeh branch, in which he threatened any female student who dared to wear what he termed ‘indecent’ clothes on campus. The above post prompted negative reactions due to the implicit verbal threat published on the College’s site with some 17 thousand followers. The incident instigated fears about the fate of personal freedom and the continuity of the LU as a state institution reflecting the nation’s diverse social fabric. After releasing a statement denouncing the rejectionist views, the students were soon joined by the head of the public relations department, Ghazi Murad, who read an official statement dissociating the university form the stand of the student in question, and reiterating its role as a place for dialogue, diversity and pluralism. 

As Safir, June 21, 2016

 

 

Contrary to what some women advocate groups hoped for, a comparison conducted by CRTD,A on the results of the 2010 and 2016 municipal elections in terms of women’s representation, has shown no significant change to this effect. This conclusion comes despite numerous initiatives launched by civil and women organizations as well as repeated calls by various political circles to support the participation of women in public affairs. 

Figures compiled by CRTD.A, indicated that women’s share out of the total number of seats in 2016 stood at nearly 5.39% compared to 4.69% in 2010, which represents a mediocre rise of 0.7%. Also, women’s share of total candidates for the 2016 elections recorded 11.7% same as the figure for 2010. As such, and based on a close observation of positions and developments accompanying the election process which we published on our news portal, we would like to put forward some conclusions in our attempt to explain these low results

-         Civil initiatives and campaigns have thrived in the field of awareness-raising and capacity building, but were not really successful in increasing the level of participation of women in public life 

-         The low credibility the political forces enjoy, and who, despite their claimed support for women’s participation, have largely shied away from nominating women on their electoral lists

-         The relatively high proportion of winning women candidates compared to men, which clearly underscored women’s high capacities and this notwithstanding the level of actual support that they received

-         Some key public figures continue to reject women representation quota on the ground that it supposedly degrades the capacities of women. These positions largely overlook the fact that women are still constrained by male patriarchal mentalities and practices that undermine women’s public aspirations

-         Last but not least, there is a clear absence of any strong political will to improve women’s political representation, in the midst of political and confessional bickering, and with the total disregard of the interests of citizens.

 

 

The recordings of a video camera candidly installed by Kafa Enough Violence organization two days ago inside one of the supermarkets that promotes a new soap, which supposedly cleans up domestic workers, instigated several reactions by civil and public circles, some of which was critical of the initiative (https://www.facebook.com/kafa.lb/videos/10154312805239337/)”. 

To recall, Kafa action was based on the outcomes of a joint study with the American University of Beirut published last February and which indicated that nearly 27% of Lebanese people consider migrant women domestic workers (MWDWs) as ‘unclean’. As usual, the Labor Ministry immediately denounced in a statement the move by Kafa, alleging that some civil groups “tend to fabricate news that are harmful to the country’s reputation and intentionally manipulate the subject of MWDWs”. “The last of these tricks, the ministry added, was the alleged promotion of the black soap made especially for domestic workers and which is completely demeaning and humiliating”. What is to be noted is that the ministry deliberately disregarded the substance of Kafa awareness campaign by focusing entirely on the nature of the soap per se rather than on the racist message conveyed by merchants to consumers. It went further and queried the Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA) which also emphasised that this particular soap is available in many countries of the world and is widely used by many people! The LIA joined the ministry in condemning attempts to discredit Lebanese products while cautioning, at the same time, concerned supermarkets against the negative impact of marketing the product in a racist manner because of its detrimental effects on Lebanon’s international reputation. 

As Safir, Al Diyar, An Nahar, June 18 and 20, 2016

 

The Vice President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women NCLW, and head of the Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped, Randa Assi Berri emphasised the responsibility of all in pressuring for the endorsement of a modern electoral law that will ensure a fairer representation and partnership between all components of society. Berri was speaking yesterday during the annual Itfar dinner organized by the Lebanese Association for Women Affairs in the presence of representatives of foreign embassies, ministries and public departments. Berri pointed out that the Association and Women’s Office at Amal Movement and other political parties should unite in their demands for a modern electoral law that can ensure the revival of political life in the country. The said law should be based on the following elements: proportional representation, a single electoral constituency for all of Lebanon, women’s quota representation, and the lowering of the voting age to 18 years.

Al Diyar, June 17, 2016

 

On the World Day of Migrant Women and Men Workers, As Safir daily published a report by Information International on the actual size, distribution and growth of foreign workforce in Lebanon during the past years. The report indicated that while the overall number of jobless persons is estimated at 300 thousand people out of a total workforce of 1.3 million people, the number of foreign laborers, excluding Syrians and Palestinians, has risen from 33,268 persons in 1993 to 209,674 persons in 2015, according to official figures, (by a difference of 176,406 at 530%, which is a relatively huge percentage). The same survey recorded around 50 to 60 thousand foreigners living and working illegally in the country, thus raising the total projected number to 270 thousand persons. 

The largest number of this category of workers are Bangladeshi and Ethiopian nationals, representing nearly 58% of the foreign workforce, with some 154,749 women domestic workers (MWDW) who make 75% of the overall foreign laborers, the report went on to say. And these MWDWs are distributed as follows: Ethiopia: 73,098 persons, Bangladesh: 29,993 persons, Philippine: 22,416 persons, Sri Lanka: 7,566 persons, Kenya: 8,357 persons, Nepal: 2,512 persons, India: 364 persons, Cameroon: 2,318 persons, Madagascar: 1,325 persons, Sudan: 70 persons and other nationalities: 6,698 persons. For full review of the report, please visit the following link: https://assafir.com/Article/499205

As Safir, June 17, 2016

 

On the World Day of Migrant Women and Men Workers which falls on June 16 of every year, As Safir daily addressed in a special feature the status of these workers and the continuous violation of their rights. Reportedly, some 250 thousand Migrant Women Domestic Workers (MWDW) of different nationalities, together with thousands of male workers, are still deprived of the basic rights that preserve their human dignity. It should be noted, that Lebanon has not signed or ratified, but only voted in favor of the ILO Convention 189 issued on June 16, 2011, which stipulates that this category of workers should enjoy a decent working environment. The sponsorship “Kafala” system is still operational despite repeated demands to revoke or replace it with a fairer and more just contractual arrangement. As Safir maintained that despite extensive efforts by civil society groups to improve the living and working conditions of MWDWs, progress still lags behind compared to what needs to be done. In this context, Caritas Lebanon-Migrant Center and the Syndicate of the Owners of the Female Housemaid Employment Agencies signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding which seeks to “observe a maximum degree of respect for the human rights and the protection of foreign workers and prevent any violation of those rights.” The MoU contains 15 articles under which Caritas pledges to hold awareness raising workshops for domestic workers and staff of employment agencies on the rights and responsibilities of both parties. It also provides for helping human trafficking victims in return for commitment by the above Syndicate to give foreign workers their rights and treat them properly. According to Al Akhbar newspaper, the MWDW Union has been totally disregarded, particularly that the parties to the MoU share the Labor Minister’s view which objects to the formation of what it terms as an “illegal” Union. In the same vein, the Insaf Center for Migrant Domestic Workers has laid its foundation stone in Dora east of Beirut under the management of Indian domestic worker, Sara, and Lebanese activist, Lina. The center is designed to provide various services, including guidance, language courses, legal consultation and social activities. In his visit to the new center, the British Ambassador to Leabon Hugo shorter, met a number of MWDWs, underlining their need for respect and rest and their right in living in a safe environment. Similarly, Kafa Enough Violence organization installed a candid camera inside one of the hyper markets to promote a brand of soap that supposedly “cleans up the domestic worker”. The camera will record the different reactions of the people towards the promotion. (As Safir, Al Diyar, June 16, 2016)

 

The representation rate of women participation in the 2016 municipal elections has reportedly risen by 1% compared to the 2010 elections, according to Al Mustaqbal daily which based its information on the results published by the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) and the CEDAW Report on Women Status. Exploring some factors that impede the actual participation of women in public life, the newspaper pointed out to deliberate attempts to obliterate the achievements by women and discourage them from running for or voting in the elections. It drew attention to the reluctance of Lebanese political parties to nominate women for decision making positions. Al Mustaqbal pressed for the need to raise community awareness in this direction through the development of the concepts of equality and citizenship, and backing the women representation quota in the municipal or parliamentary electoral laws, as well as in state jobs. For his part, the President of the Mabarat Charity Association, Sayyid Ali Fadlallah, stressed the important role of women who have proved their competence and distinctiveness in all realms. Fadlallah who was speaking during an Iftar banquet held by the Mabarat Women’s Committee, warned that society becomes weaker when it ignores or demotivates its women, whether in the political or development fields. He lamented women’s unnoticeable presence as ministers, or members in Parliaments or municipal boards, or even in women advocate groups. “We do not want a women’s quota, rather we want a true and effective partnership with women,” Fadlallah maintained, adding, “We need legislations that protect women from the hegemony of men and society, and we support every law that contributes to this protection.” There is a need to differentiate between traditions and religion and to stand against traditions that infringe on the essence of religion, Fadlallah explained. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, June 10 and 14, 2016)

 

Al Safadi Foundation concluded yesterday its ‘Socio-Economic Empowerment and Training on Work and Life Skills for Youth in Tripoli’ program, implemented in collaboration with UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut. A ceremony was held on the occasion at ‘Shababuna’ social association center in Suweika, in the presence of the Center’s director, Khaled Hanouf and the program team and trainers. Certificates were distributed to some 65 trainees who completed the vocational and technical workshops specialized in the repair of cell phones and industrial embroidery. It should be noted that the participants have enrolled in  three-month training courses on the various personal and administrative skills, individual and collective empowerment and social awareness, as well as motivation and leadership techniques provided by a team of trained experts from the Safadi Foundation. Speaking at the ceremony, the head of Shababuna Social Development Sector, Samar Bulos, emphasized the significance of the socio-economic approach on which the project is based, particularly in terms of empowerment of the least advantaged community members, like young people and women, in marginalized neighborhoods of Old Tripoli. Such approach, she maintained, is in line with the main objectives of the Safadi Foundation in the field of sustainable development. (Al Mustaqbal, June 14, 2016)