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Lebanese food diplomacy in Paris

18-1-2019

The Lebanese Ambassador to France, Rami Adwan, hosted yesterday a meeting on the diplomacy of culinary arts (la diplomatie des arts culinaires) at the Lebanese embassy in Paris to promote the marketing of made-in-Lebanon agricultural and rural foods. The event which saw the presence of the agriculture ministry’s director general, Louis Lahoud, included the screening of a documentary ‘Lebanese cuisine and tasting of Lebanese foods’. Lahoud on the occasion, praised the continuous cooperation between the Lebanese diplomatic missions in the world and his ministry to step up the marketing of Lebanese cuisine internationally. Lahoud pointed out that after the success in 2018 of the Lebanese Day in Hungary, preparations are underway for holding similar events in Serbia, Dubai, Poland, Brazil and Paris during the current year, stressing that Lebanese production which observed international specifications shall stand out in Arab countries, in Europe and everywhere else in the world. Lahoud also urged the Lebanese diaspora to contribute to the promotion of Lebanese products in support of local farmers and producers, and presented the ministry’s program to this end. Adwan, for his part, emphasized the role of the embassy as a facilitator in increasing the export of Lebanese food to France. (Al Mustaqbal, January 18, 2019)

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Sexual harassment within the UN

17-1-2019

A recent UN study on sexual harassment within the last two years, has shown that one third of UN employees reported at least one instance of sexual harassment during that period of their work at the UN. The survey, published on Thursday by AFP, and involving around 30,364 staff who provided answers to a confidential online questionnaire, indicated that one in three employees experienced at least one instance of sexual harassment in the past two years. The figure however jumped to nearly 38.7% when respondents were asked about a specific form of harassment. The study noted that the most common type of sexual harassment inside the UN were sexual jokes or stories and offensive remarks about appearance, body or sexual activities, and other forms, including drawing them into discussion about sexual matters or touching, etc. The survey also found that two out of three harassers were men and one in four were supervisors or directors, while one in ten harassers were senior executives. In a letter to his employees, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, explained that the above study contained serious statistics and evidence of what needs to change and improve in the UN, pledging to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, January 17, 2019)

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Prostitution of women, and blackmailing of underage girls

17-1-2019

Al Mustaqbal highlighted today the case of a first sergeant in the Lebanese Army who facilitates and practices prostitution. Before the end of his military service and retirement, the suspect started to work on a taxi, the newspaper wrote. Initial investigation showed that he facilitated sex work through the transport of customers to hotels and was therefore, referred to the competent military court, where he reportedly denied the accusation. In the details, Al Mustaqbal said the sergeant confessed that he drove a number of ‘girls’ to one of the hotels where customers waited for them, pointing out that as he received ‘the pay for the ride’, he was dubbed a facilitator of prostitution in this respect. On the other hand, blackmailing of underage girls is still rampant across social media platforms. One resident of Abdeh in the North, reported to the police station at the regional gendarmerie unit, being a father of an underage girl, about a young man Kh.A (22 years) blackmailing her via whatsapp messenger. The suspect was arrested and admitted that he threatened to publish pictures of the girl if she did not give him what he wanted. In a related development, the General Directorate of State Security stopped a Syrian national, F. A, for killing and burying his 2 year and a half child, Nour, earlier in Bar Elias, Bekaa. (Al Mustaqbal, January 17, 2019)

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Al Azhar expels female student over hug

16-1-2019

Al Azhar University announced that it has expelled an Arab language female student after a video went viral on social media which filmed her hugging her fiancé on the Mansoura campus. On the subject, the president of the university, Mohamad Mohrasawi, said on Saturday that the disciplinary council has decided to dismiss the student after an investigation, describing her action as ‘a complete departure from all the Azhar community and university values’. In support of the dismissed student, activists on social media started a broadcast with the hashtag love#is#not#a#crime to criticize Al Azhar’s decision. For his part, Egyptian producer and actor Khaled Abul Naja proposed the launch of a ‘hugging campaign’ in response to the university administration’s action, and a number of lawyers also expressed their readiness to defend the young woman. Others viewed the decision as an unjustified assault against the young woman, and asked, what about the male colleague? Why is the girl always blamed and punished?. (Al Diyar, January 15, 2019)

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Violence against women in Saida, Jwayya and Akkar

16-1-2019

In the latest incidents of violence against women in Lebanon, a patrol from the South Detachment Unit arrested yesterday a Palestinian national, Y.S (23 years) in Saida’s neighborhood of Sirob for sexually harassing and attempting to kidnap a minor girl. The suspect was referred to Saida police station to take appropriate legal action against him. Meanwhile, the body of a young man A.A (33 years) shot in the head was discovered in Mashta Hassan, Wadi Khaled in Akkar. After investigation by the security forces who arrived immediately on the scene, it was known that two men from the village of Mashta Hassan opened fire on the young man on the background of an honor crime. The victim reportedly raped the sister of one of the shooters which prompted the latter to gun him down. On the other hand, on January 8, one woman reported to the gendarmerie unit in Jwayya claiming that her 15-year old daughter has left the house to an unknown place leaving a message in which she threatened to kill herself. After intensified surveillance and investigation by the South Detachment Unit, the minor was tracked down in a southern village, but was in poor health condition and was transferred to a hospital for treatment. ( Al Mustaqbal, January 11, 15, 16, 2019)
 

Related news: 
Doctor sexually harasses his patient while in hospital
New year records first cases of violence against girls
Women's and Children's Rights: woman thrown off a balcony, infant dumped in garbage!
Another missing woman this time in Qaa’!
 

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Arqoob women continue bake traditional pita bread

16-1-2019

Al Mustaqbal on January 15 devoted an article to the baking of traditional bread known as ‘saj’ made by women in the southern district of Arqoob. Village women still follow the conventional method they inherited from their mothers in the preparation, shaping and baking of the dough using what is known as the wood-burning ‘saj’ stove. Contrary to the present gas stove method, the newspaper wrote, Arqoob women prefer to use the ‘tablieh’ (low stool) to knead the dough and the ‘cara’ (special cloth) to skillfully place the dough after flattening it and then setting it on the saj skillet. The product is a light brown crispy loaf that can be relished with village labneh, olive, oil and zaatar by the children, grandchildren and neighbors. Al Mustaqbal said the saj bread in the Arqoob area takes up a significant part of the daily chores of housewives. It is also a source of livelihood for some of them who help their husbands in providing for their households, especially in the winter season where expenses increase and work prospects become less. The pita markook bread in conclusion, is a blessing in Arqoob as it brings together the whole family members in preparing firewood to kneading the dough and then packing the bread loaves. (Al Mustaqbal, January 15, 2019)

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Controversy in Morocco over removal of veil in Paris

14-1-2019

In its issue of yesterday, Al Diyar newspaper featured an article from the German DW website about the ongoing controversy on Moroccan social media regarding individual freedoms. This controversy has intensified lately after the publishing of an image of a woman member of the Islamist conservative Party of Justice and Development (JDP) in which she appeared without her hijab or veil. The article wrote that people on social media were divided between supporters who viewed the MP’s action as part of individual freedoms, and critics who described what she did as a moral setback. In its analysis, the article said many Moroccans, mainly leftists, defended the MP’s stand, sustaining her right to wear or does what she wants with her personal life. Similarly, leftist activist, Latifa Buhsini, said the condemnation of the woman member of parliament resonates a decadence taking over the country. Support also came from members of opposing parties, notably from Ibtissam Azzawi, of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM). The JDP party also explained in a statement that the criticism can be seen as part of the political and media campaigns against the party. In turn, the targeted MP said no one is entitled to accountability outside their public responsibilities and duties. On the opposing front, some circles slammed the image of the MP as inconsistent with the hijab which she wears in Morocco, accusing her of using it for political propaganda. (Al Diyar, January 13, 2019)

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Saudi Shura bans marriage of girls under 15 years

14-1-2019

The Saudi Shura Council approved on Wednesday a draft bill banning the marriage of girls under 15 years and linking the decision in marriage contracts for those under 18, male or female, to the competent court. According to Ukaz newspaper, 79 members voted in favor of the ban, while a total of 103 members agreed that restrictions should be observed for the marriage of minors under the age of 18. Some of these restrictions adopted by the Shura Council require: the consent of the girl and her mother; submission of a medical report from a competent party confirming the soundness of the bride’s physical and mental conditions, and that the groom’s age be not more than twice the age of his future bride. On the legislation, Shura Council member, Latifa Shaalan, described it as a good step forward that was not easy to reach. For her part, UK-based feminist academic researcher, Arij Jouhani, said it is promising, but added that the challenge remains in publishing similar decisions if ratified by a royal decree in such that they be accepted by the different regions of the Kingdom. In Lebanon, MP Roula Tabsh stated that the Saudi resolution is a necessary step towards the protection of girls from violence and exploitation. Recalling, that the Saudi Shura has no legislative power, but it submits proposals to the King, that are often welcomed locally. (Al Diyar, January 13, 2019)

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Mashreq Conference on women’s economic empowerment

14-1-2019

Under the patronage of premier Saad Hariri and with the attendance of representatives of the governments of Jordan and Iraq, heads of international organizations and ministers, as well as public sector and civil society reps, Lebanon will host the Mashreq Conference on Women’s Economic Empowerment on January 19, 2019. The conference is expected to discuss ways to empower women and girls to play a key role in the promotion of more comprehensive institutions, sound policies and effective development results, according to Hariri’s Press Office. Noting, that while Middle East countries have made significant progress in women’s access to in education and health, yet challenges continue to exist in terms of economic prospects, voting and representation of women. The conference aims to elevate the dialogue and awareness on the importance and benefits of enhanced economic participation of women and create a space for the governments of Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, in collaboration with the private sector, civil society and development partners to share their commitments to this agenda. The World Bank, IFC and the Government of Canada seek to support Mashreq governments in their efforts to enhance women’s economic empowerment as an incentive to achieve more inclusive, sustainable and peaceful societies, where economic growth benefits everyone. (Al Mustaqbal, January, 2019)

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Parliamentary committee for the amendment of domestic violence law

11-1-2019

The joint parliamentary committees, headed by Deputy Speaker, Elie Ferzli, formed yesterday a subcommittee to study a proposed amendment of the Law No. 293/2014 on the Protection of Women and Family Members from Domestic Violence. The subcommittee is led by MP Samir Jisr with the membership of Paula Yacoubian, Shamel Rukuz, Nawaf Mousawi, Ali Bazzi, Elias Hankash, Bilal Abdallah, Dima Jamali, Fouad Makhzoumi and Michel Mouawad. Recalling, that on November 26, 2018, which coincidesg with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 10 lawmakers submitted a draft bill to the Legislature aimed to amend the above law (https://goo.gl/CmiBp7). (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, January 11, 2019)
 


Related news: 
Amendments to reinforce domestic violence law in Lebanon
Campaign to raise age of marriage, proposal to amend law on domestic violence
 

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