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On the occasion of Women’s Day, L’Orient Le Jour daily has been devoting a special section every Tuesday of the month of March to publish the stories of Lebanese women who struggle singlehandedly to provide for themselves. The story of Salpie Degeremijain, a 37-year old woman with special needs, had its turn on March 29. Salpie recalled her sad experience since she was diagnosed with her disease when she was still 21. Salpie has a degree in English Literature from the state-run Lebanese University and has an experience in journalism and in teaching at two schools in the Beirut suburb of Bourj Hammoud. Besides, she is skilled in the preparation of financial and technical reports for the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU). But, despite this, Salpie voiced her disappointment in the system which prevents her from getting any job because of her special condition. She bitterly admitted to L’Orient Le Jour reporter the difference in treatment of the disabled persons between her country and the UK which she visited with a delegation of the LPHU. There, she boasted, “we moved freely and received special attention from the people.” Salpie counted the numerous financial difficulties she constantly puts up with, especially that the card given to the disabled persons only exempts her from the municipal taxes and hospitalization expenses, but she still has to bear the heavy financial burden of consultation visits to doctors and the price of medications, noting that she is largely dependent on the financial assistance of Arc En Ciel association. )L’Orient Le Jour, March 29, 2016)

 

The Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night Clubs and Pastries in Lebanon (SORCNP) hosted in Beirut a dinner banquet in honor of pioneer women in the tourism sector. Present were the tourism minister, Michel Pharaon, the National News Agency director, Laure Sleiman Saab, and SORCNP President, Toni Rami, in addition to syndicate members and concerned social figures. During the event, Rami pointed out that the syndicate boasts the presence of two women, Maya Bakhazi Noun and Mireille Hayek, on its administrate board, with an ambition to reach parity (6 women and 6 men members ) in the upcoming board. “Today, we honor women who work under such stressful conditions to prove not only that behind every powerful man, there is a woman, but that behind each successful establishment and restaurant, there is also a woman,” Rami said. In their turn, Hayek and Noun praised the presence of women in the above sector, pointing out that a great number of eateries in Lebanon are run by women. Among the honored women guests, were the following: Aline Kamakian (Mayrig), Zeina eid (Urbanista), Zeina Salamon (Mum and I), Nadine Sawaya (Didi’s Food Gallery), Faten Abu Shalbak (Al Ajami), Hala Nakkash (Al Halabi), Susan Halal (Suz Café), Maya Kanaan (M de Noir), Natalie and Nada Aad (Mon Maki a Moi), Liza Saghir (Liza), Amani Al Baba (Al Baba Sweets), Christine Aswad Sfeir (Dunkin Donuts), Lina Bweiri (Nippon Sushi), Pascale Barakat (Al Balad), Stephanie Bassil (Creppuccino), Mireille Korbani (Le Gabarit), Sawsan Wazan Jabri (Diet Center), Hala Beydoun (Cocoa & Co), Huda Abi Saab (Le Gargotier), Laura Ayoub (Goutons Voir), Lina Lteif (Mie Doree), Mirna Bustani (Al Bustan Hotel), Siham Tueny (Le Capitol), Sophie Ckoukeir (Marinella), Dalia Khalil (Steak & Cheese Factory), Zalfa Nawfal (Frosty Palace), Zeina Khoury (Ichiban), Mona Salameh (Hoda et Chocolat), Joseline Jemayel (Orso Bianco) and Nada Saad (Cakes & Cookies). (Al Diyar, March 31, 2016)

 

In less than two weeks after the suicide of a migrant woman domestic worker in Tripoli, another foreign worker, from the Ethiopian nationality, was found dead in the southern town of Jarju3, Nabatiyeh. According to the preliminary investigation, the woman is said to have attempted suicide by slaying herself inside the bathroom of her employer’s house but with clear marks of stabbing shown on her neck (!?). In this respect, and despite the repeated appeals to stop such painful incidents by civil society organizations fighting against human trafficking, the death of MWDWs remain common news reported lightly and briefly. No mention whatsoever of the motives behind the attempts or in-depth account of the incident is noted. (Al Mustaqbal, March 31, 2016)

 

Previous related news: 

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

 

Amel Association International organized a graduation ceremony ending a training session of the empowerment and protection of migrant women domestic workers (MWDW) and victims of human trafficking program for 2015-2016. The event took place at the association’s premises in the capital’s southern suburb of Shayya7 on March 7 in the presence of a number of representatives of partner civil society organizations. It should be noted that Amel launched the above program back in 2011 in an attempt to combat the widespread phenomenon of discrimination, exploitation, modern-day slavery, as well as all forms of related violence against MWDWs. The initiative has earned the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. During the ceremony, participating women workers expressed their gratitude to Amel for increasing their awareness of their own rights and of how to protect themselves against any abuser. (L’Orient Le Jour, March 31, 2016)

 

The Parliament Speaker’s wife, Randa Berri, urged for the implementation of women’s quota in the upcoming municipal and mayoral elections. Berri, who is also the deputy chair of the National Commission for Lebanese Women, called on concerned women right groups to use all the democratic means on hand to achieve this right. Berri was speaking during her sponsorship last week of a ceremony by Amal Movement’s Women Affairs Office (WAO) in the South in honor of mothers, wives and daughters of the Movement’s martyrs and this on the occasion of Mother’s Day. Berri stressed that WAO is committed to achieving one of the most essential aspect of citizenship right, namely the right of women to actively participate in various political, economic, social, environmental, cultural, educational and health fields. (Al Diyar, March 26, 2016)

 

The Center of Arab Women for Training and Research, CAWTAR, launched an electronic portal devoted to the legal and human rights of women and men. The website http://www.arabwomenlegal-emap.org is intended to be an informative tool bringing together all the legislations related to the legal and human rights conditions as well as gender equality in some 20 Arab states. Its main purpose is to promote gender equality through enhancing access of national and regional partners to the required data. The new portal will enable its users to search for special laws on different themes, including education, health, violence, political participation, contribution to economy, access to justice and the right to establish relevant legislations in each country. It will also provide detailed information on all Arab countries with a particular focus on measures taken by governments to comply with its international commitments and observation of gender equality. In addition, the new portal will allow for comparisons between different countries on various topics and indexes. Currently, the website will be available in Arabic only but will soon also be available in English and as a smart phone application (womenlegalemap). Finally, it should be noted that the recently-launched portal is the outcome of cooperation between the UNDP, UN Women and CAWTAR and has received funding from the Finnish Foreign Ministry and the Arab Gulf Development Program. (Al Mustaqbal, March 30, 2016)

 

In its issue of Thursday, An Nahar daily shed light on the so-called ‘economic empowerment and societal mobilization and targeting women affected by the Syrian Crisis’ project launched jointly by the Ministry of Social Affairs and UN Women in June, 2015, with funding from Japan. Elaborating on the initiative, the national coordinator for the Project in the Ministry, Suheir Ghali, stressed the importance of the undertaking in promoting the points of economic strength in women affected by the refugee crisis in Syria and empowering their Lebanese counterparts in the vulnerable and disadvantaged host communities. This, Ghali maintained, is largely achieved through specialized professional training workshops, particularly in the artisan and food manufacturing industries. “We organized training courses implemented by the development services centers in Tariq al Jadideh, Takreet, Andkit, Mash7ha and Khraybet Jundi in Akkar, in collaboration with the Safadi Foundation and Fair Trade Lebanon for the purpose of promoting women’s capacities in embroidery, sewing, soap making, carpets, jewelry and cake decoration,” Ghali stated. Participants, she added, also received training on the preparation of seasonal traditional mooneh products, the principles of proper cooking, repairing mobile phones devices, as well as special sessions on personal development, administrative skills and techniques for marketing their crafts and food products. She also mentioned an awareness campaign to enlighten women on how to fight gender-based violence. In conclusion, Ghali said some 950 participants have graduated from the project, and received presents, including looms, or special equipment and technical tools required in their production. The project also secured jobs in the Beirut for up to 75 women beneficiaries, and assisted in the setting up of one cooperative of women for the manufacture of craft products located in Khraybet Jundi. (An Nahar, March 24, 2016)

 

Following the lawsuit filed by Dalal Moawwad and Ibrahim Maaluf before the Judge for Matters of Special Urgency in Beirut, Judge Jad Maaluf issued on February 21, an unprecedented ruling, regarding the registration of a civil marriage. The Judge included in his verdict a jurisprudence or independent opinion substantiating and supporting a civil contract while repealing all the excuses drawn by the state to this effect. By doing this, the judge authenticated the right to hold civil marriages in Lebanon based on the following three fundamentals: the first, it is forbidden to manipulate or infringe on the right of marriage, for it is a basic human right, as stipulated by the Constitution and international conventions, that “the freedom of belief out of which originates the freedom to believe or not to believe in a specific religion or faith, as well as the right to marry, are all considered fundamental human rights, and therefore, require protection to this effect. Secondly, Judge Maaluf settled for the first time in the history of court rulings a controversial issue between the state and activists in determining the efficacy of canceling religion from the birth registry of persons. Maaluf said this is not indicative of a temporary suppression of the sect, rather it signifies a complete withdrawal from the sect towards the community at large, without association with another sect. This said, any person who does not mention his religious preference on his birth certificate, cannot but be considered a person who does not belong to any sect or religion. Maaluf explained that this category of persons “enjoy the various rights other people with religious affiliations also enjoy.”  The judge’s line of attack believes in the essential right of those persons to marry in accordance with the civil law. Third, Maaluf went beyond the ruling in question, to address the legislative vacuum resulting from the absence of civil law, and to recommend the sound judgment of the couple in choosing a foreign law in this respect, which, he maintained, does not infringe on the public order in matters of personal status. Finally, Maaluf considered that "acknowledging the validity of civil marriages held abroad, demonstrates, unintentionally though, discrimination between citizens. He argued that the civil marriage option becomes feasible and practicable only for well-off couples or who can afford the expenses of travel. (Al Akhbar, March 29, 2016) (For full text of the judgment ruling please check:  http://www.legal-agenda.com/article.php?id=1463&folder=articles&lang=ar)

 

The 22-year old Zahraa Ali Qabut is reportedly the newest victim of domestic violence in Lebanon to have fallen after being shot at by her husband (30 years) in front of her parents’ house in Hermel, Northern Beqaa. According to her parents, Zahraa, who divorced a few months before the murder and has a 14-month old daughter, was expecting her criminal husband to drop her child before committing his crime and running away. In denunciation of what was described as a “horrific crime”, the Lebanese Women Gathering said that the “killing of Zahraa is not an individual case. It rather reflects a whole society putting up with male ‘violence.” Similarly, the activist in the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering, Manar Z3ayter, threw the responsibility on the security and judicial authorities, noting that despite the approval of the law for the protection of women against domestic violence, the Judiciary has not issued any single ruling in this direction. “This is alarming, and we are concerned that this new crime would be treated like former crimes, Z3ayter added. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, Al Akhbar, March 25 and 29, 2016)