Other news

L’Orient Le Jour published in yesterday a brief feature on the life of Wadad Halwani whose husband, Adnan Halwani, leading member of the Communist Action Organization, who was kidnapped back in 1982. Halwani, the chairperson of the Families of the Disappeared and Abducted Committee, and the mother of two, said she never lost hope. One day after the kidnapping, she said, she started carrying out contacts and visits to political figures concerning the fate of her husband. She then met other women who shared the same tragedy. Wadad decided to organize and formed a core group of five people in order to pressure officials in this respect. Later, the group grew to include a larger number of concerned women who started organizing sit-ins and activities. I have a new responsibility today, Halwani told the newspaper, which is to look out for some 17 thousand officially reported abducted persons, adding that she will never give up until her mission is completed. (L’Orient Le Jour, 4 August 2015)

Hayya Bina association organized a two day long women encounters and exchange in South Lebanon and that is within the framework of activities carried out by the ‘English for Women’ program launched in 2007 and funded by the USA Embassy in Lebanon. Houla cultural center hosted the first day with participants from Riyyaq, Jeb Janneen and Houla. The students group visited Dubyeh Fort and was received by Shaqra mayor Rida Ashur in the presence of the UNIFIL Nepalese battalion which is contributing to rehabilitating this historical landmark. The second stop in the southern tour was in the town of Shabaa and was concluded at the Blue Line dividing Shabaa from the Israeli occupied Shabaa Farms. The two day event included group discussions, run by trainer Luma Zeinoun Tabet and the Program’s educational officer Salha Nasser, which focused on ‘how women defend their rights’. (Al Mustaqbal, 5 August 2015)

The head of the Judicial Aid Committee at the Beirut Bar Association lawyer George Fiany headed a BBA delegation to the women’s prison in Baabda. The visit is the first step towards the implementation by the Bar of a project aimed at setting up legal aid centers within prisons in collaboration with the social associations operating in those prisons. Fiany told An Nahar newspaper that the Bar has delegated him last year to assess the legal needs of detainees, especially those incapable of hiring an attorney. These include people with special needs, senior citizens, patients among other cases. Fiany indicated however that the financial aspect of the project has not been settled. As for the choice of the Baabda prison for women to kick off the project, Fiany clarified that this came after many solicitations which the Committee received concerning the particularly dreadful conditions in that prison despite its few number of inmates. An Nahar noted that the prison houses some 88 women inmates divided on nearly 8 cells of which the largest has an area of some 20 square meters. Each cell accommodates 19 inmates, with less than half sleeping on beds and the rest on the floor. Furthermore, the cells contain a small but elevated opening that barely allows any sunlight in addition to the poor ventilation which encourages the spread of diseases. The newspaper indicated that the management of the prison was not providing the basic needs. Meals for example were offered in containers used for paint and there were no time for recreation. Moreover, the old prison building was part of Baabda’s state hospital and therefore is not equipped to accommodate prisoners. (An Nahar, 1 August 2015)

A new center for the ‘Women’s Academy’ at the Safadi Foundation was inaugurated last Friday in the Old Serail quarter of Tripoli, in the presence of Sally Jreij, Miss Lebanon 2014. Over 100 women from the capital of the North partook in the opening which comes after the success of the pilot center in Dahr Al Mughr which contributed to the empowerment of more than 500 children and women each year, during the past 8 years. To this effect, the director of the Women’s Academy Center, Marwa Malqi noted that the opening of new premises in a different area aimed at replicating the successful Dahr Al Mughr experience in a new environment. Likewise, director of the Safadi Foundation Social Development Sector, Samar Boulos, announced that the social sector of the association has started implementing new project which focuses on carrying out a social diagnosis of living realities in Old Tripoli in order to produce a development plan based on the needs and priorities of local inhabitants. Miss Lebanon, for her part, underlined her commitment to women cause and to defend women in all their social roles as mothers, daughters, wives, friends, lovers, workers, housewives, entrepreneurs and particularly marginalized, tormented and oppressed women. (An Nahar, 1 August 2015)

Regie Lebanon (La Regie Libanaise Des Tabacs & Tombacs) in collaboration with the municipality of Rmeish organized a contest in tobacco leaves threading for women at the town’s square in the presence of Mayor Rasheed Haj and his deputy Michel Chufani. Also attending the one-hour event were members of the municipality and the town’s heads, Daher Choufani, Raymond Makhoul and Elie Chufani in addition to Regie staff and members of the local Rmeish community. During the context, Marta Al Alam came first followed successively by Maryam Al Alam, Hanneh Jeryus, Umeima Al Alam and Christine Haj. The first six women winners received awards from the jury and thanked the municipality and the Regie administration for the motivating event. (Al Mustaqbal, 31 July 2015)

The recently published results of success rates for first achievers in Lebanon Baccalaureate (Grade 12) official exams in its four branches showed that a significant proportion of the highest achievers were females who were interviewed by As Safir newspaper. Sara Souki, first in social studies/economics SE, scoring 480 points out of 530, and who chose to major in international law outside Lebanon, said that while she relied on herself yet a big credit goes to her school “Amjad” which supported her with all means possible. Zainab Hadi from the same school came first in general sciences scoring 536 out of 570 points, and chose to major in mechanical engineering. Razan Amin also from Amjad, came second in SE, with 471 out of 530 points, said she is still hesitating between international economics or architecture. Abir Jallool, another high achiever, third in SE, with 464 out of 530 points, and future major in economics, pointed out that the key to success is confidence in oneself.  Marwa Meshayk, from the same school, came 4th in SE, scoring 460 out of 530 points, said she will study medicine as it is a noble profession. Like Jallool and Meshayk, Yasmine Abu Hamdan, also from School, came 8th in SE, scoring 447 out of 530 points, said she will major in economics. For her part, Ghada Yussef from Qobayyat Public School for Girls in Akkar was second in humanities and literature, scoring 369 out of 480 points, and received a scholarship from the Ministry to study film direction. Finally, the newspaper highlighted the case of Aseel Jaafar from Tyre High School for Girls, who came third in life sciences. Jaafar said she plans to specialize in medicine, oncology at the Lebanese University, which she described as the last resort for distinguished students coming from low-income background. (As Safir, 25 July 2015)

Women leaders play an important role in Lebanon and the Arab world, but experts at “Women Leaders as Agents of Change: The Role of Women in the Changes Taking Place in the MENA Region” conference which kicked off on Monday July 27th warned that regional turmoil has interrupted the push for greater political participation and stymied efforts to improve women’s situation. The Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World at the Lebanese American University organized the event in partnership with the Middle East Partnership Initiative of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. State Department. The conference, which will run through July 30, brings together scholars, researchers and activists from different countries and areas of expertise to share their research and experiences. The conference is tackling a number of issues, including legal, political, and cultural reforms stemming from the Arab uprisings, according to the agenda presented by the organizers. Conferees will also investigate various measures to protect women’s rights and improve their situation. Tuesday’s panel discussions were entitled: “Human Rights Concerns and Violations in the Arab Region,” “Women’s Political Participation & Activism During and After the Arab Uprisings/Revolutions,” and “Changes Impacting Women in the Arab Region.” A variety of other panel discussions are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. (The Daily Star, 28 July 2015)

The National Saudi Campaign to Support Brethren in Syria” launched within the framework of “Brother, you hold your future in your hand” program, a new initiative entitled “The Productive Training Kitchen”. The initiative targets young Syrian woman aged between 17 and 25 years and seeks to train them to produce various types of food, sweets and pickles with the aim of helping them find work opportunities which would allow them to secure income for them and their families. The director of the national Saudi Campaign office in Lebanon, Waleed Ben Ali Al Jallal, told Al Mustaqbal newspaper that the campaign has decided to add cooking skills to its various technical and handicrafts training currently on offer and which include mechanics, sewing and graphic design. He added that the first batch of students have started producing food and have benefited from the material made available by the Productive Training Kitchen.  As such, they are cooking daily meals for needy Syrian families as well as for the trainees’ families. (Al Mustaqbal, 28 July 2016)

L’Orient Le Jour daily published in its July 21 issue an interview with Ms. Rima Frangieh, wife of Al Marada Party leader Suleiman Frangieh to profile the latest in cultural and social events taking place in the north. Frangieh spoke of her efforts to strengthen social bonds with her community especially that she is the spouse of the local “chief” of the community, the newspaper said. Frangieh also introduced the work of several institutions which she manages, like for example “North Autism Center” which she founded and chairs, as well as “Hirafiyat” workshop and Ehdeniyat festivals, as well as various environmental activities. Frangieh focused on the Ehdeniyat annual festivities which not only is intended to revive the cultural scene in the region by bringing Arab and foreign stars, but also to generate funds for supporting the work of the social centers which she runs. (L’Orient Le Jour, 21 July 2015)