News updates

In an unprecedented move, the Saudi defense ministry opened the door for the enlistment of women for different military ranks as private soldier, sergeant and corporal. The ministry called on women wishing to serve to apply through the united acceptance portal for all conditions and procedures of admission and recruitment. To note, that Saudi women access to the military is not new, but it is first for the sectors of the Armed Forces across the four branches, ranging from soldier ranks to senior ranks. Recalling, Saudi women have been allowed last year to join the security forces across different areas within the ministry of interior. (Al Diyar, October 4, 2019)
 
 

In partnership with EuroMed Feminist Initiative, the Lebanese Women’s Democratic Gathering organized on Friday a ‘Dialogue Space’ under the theme, ‘How long will women in Lebanon remain refugees?’ The event which aimed to spotlight young women in Lebanon active in politics and the public life, is part of a larger project entitled ‘Strengthening access to protection, participation and services for women refugees, IDPs and host communities in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.” The first round of the two-session dialogue urged women in political parties to share their experiences in incorporating and implementing gender-sensitive policies hands on. The second session focused on women's experiences and challenges they faced after achieving senior positions in business.(NNA, October 4, 2019)
 

A ceremony was held yesterday at Shukri Ghanem Barracks in Fayadiyeh to introduce a new cohort of women soldiers who completed their training period, in the presence of Acting Commander of Mount Lebanon Brigadier General Afif Saleh, representing Army Commander General Joseph Aoun. In his address to the soldiers, Saleh said their pledge to the Lebanese Armed Forces motto of ‘honor, sacrifice and loyalty” infuses a new spirit of determination, youth and vigor to the Military and is a testimony to the military establishment’s commitment to justice and equality among all citizens. Saleh added that the Army has had many achievements in increasing women enrollment at all levels, noting that women volunteers have achieved great outcomes, especially in the medical, logistic and administrative areas. He urged them to enhance their self-confidence and work for self-development in order to face challenges responsibly, constantly and patiently. (Al Diyar, October 3, 2019)
 

The first tournament of women’s football league kicked off in Sudan on September 30 with a game between two Khartoum-based teams. The event was watched by crowds of fans and diplomatic figures who cheered on the stadiums. Noting, that the League includes 21 teams from all over the North African country and the match was announced this August in a move unprecedented under the rule of toppled President Omar Bashir. Commenting on this development, the new minister of youth and sports, Walaa Issam, described it as a ‘historic day not only for sports but for Sudan as a whole’. “We, at the ministry, will give special attention to women’s sports in general, and particularly to the women’s football infrastructure,” Issam said. For his part, the head of the Sudan Scholars Association, Mohamad Uthman Saleh, remarked saying, the forces of freedom have a clear agenda to secularize the state through changing the Sudanese society norms in every way up to the religious beliefs of the country. He pointed out that the timing of the launch of the women’s football league is evident of the becoming secular state. Saleh clarified that although Islamic teachings allow women to practice sports, however they restrict them to health and decency related limitations. “Men watching women playing football with revealing clothes is not permissible”, Saleh concluded. (Al Diyar, October 3, 2019)
 

In collaboration with UNDP and the ministry of environment, the National Commission for Lebanese Women, NCLW, held yesterday a workshop on ‘Gendered Response to Climate Policies’ with the participation of gender focal points in various public departments. The workshop aims to set a common concept for climate change and gender notions, as well as understand the role of gender responsive adaptation to climate change and the effective implementation of the nationally determined contribution to this end. It also seeks to search prospects to integrate the notion of gender into the policy-making process and consultations by ministries. (NNA, October 2, 2019)
 

The National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) launched yesterday an awareness campaign on the importance of early detection of breast cancer, under the theme, ‘Don’t leave it to luck’. This coincides with the annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign kicked off by the ministry of public health to encourage women to take free breast screening mammography at government-run hospitals and at reduced prices at a number of private hospitals and medical centers participating in the campaign. NCLW urged all Lebanese women to take the yearly radiology tests and all required periodic medical examinations in order to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of the cancer in its early stages, thus increasing the chances of full recovery. NCLW also advised women to adopt and follow a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet in order to reduce the incidence of diseases, notably breast cancer, inspiring them to exercise regularly. (NNA, October 2, 2019)