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Al Diyar daily interviewed the founding partner of the leading carpet gallery, Iwan Maktabi, Shereen Maktabi, following her honoring by Beirut Chamber of Commerce along with 15 Lebanese women entrepreneurs. To note, Maktabi was also chosen as one of the 200 most powerful Arab women by Forbes Magazine. Speaking to the newspaper, Shereen explained that the “feminine” and young touches have added some new features to the illustrious carpet trade, which in the past was confined to men,” Maktabi said. She noted that while personally she never faced any sort of discrimination as a woman in business, however, current Lebanese law impedes the empowerment of women.  “Take for example the law on divorce in Lebanon which is still primitive and is totally biased against women while marginalizing women’s role and rights” she added.  While involvement in political life is not one of her goals, Shereen expressed her support to the adoption of electoral women’s quota so that women can make a difference. In conclusion, Maktabi encouraged Lebanese women to remain determined and resolute in order to achieve their goals. (Al Diyar, 15 March 2015)

In an attempt to highlight the economic role of rural women in Lebanon, L’Orient Le Jours newspaper published last Thursday an interview with a Lebanese breadwinner woman from the southern town of Majdl Zoon, Mona Al Durr, who is making her livelihoods and those of her family from the sale of bread, pastry and the traditional "Mooneh" products. Mona, a 50 years old woman from Tyre, met the founder of Suk Al Tayeb farming market, Kamal Mizwik, and Nada Al Debs who helped her to access domestic and global markets. Mona showcases her products every Saturday in Suk Al Tayeb in downtown Beirut and on Tuesdays in Suk Al Ard in the district of Hamra, Ras Beirut, where she sells various types of "Manqoosheh": pastry. She is a member of the European Slow Food Organization which has opened to her new outlets in the Netherlands and Italy. Furthermore, Al Durr has visited Japan where she introduced the famous Lebanese “kishek” to that East Asian culture. Through hard work, she has successfully brought up her family and helped her three children to secure homes. (L’Orient Le Jours, 12 March 2015)

The Bureau of women affairs and health centers in Kura Caza in the North held a brunch in Kosba, to commemorate Mother’s Day on March 21. The event was attended by the spouse of former President Amine Gemayel, Joyce Gemayel, President of Kataeb district of Kura, Catherine Kfoori Anjul, and Al Marada Party representative, Hanna Hanna. Gemayel pointed out that women in Lebanese society “are better off than in other societies,” and expressed her gratitude to “mothers of self-sacrificing heroes”. “We should not lose hope despite the difficult conditions in the country; she said while adding: “We need to persevere in encouraging the young generations who are the champions of change, to actively participate in decision making in order to contribute to building the Lebanon that we all aspire to and cherish. For her part, the media officer in the Kura branch of the Kataeb, Michella Sassine, praised the role of mothers who are “the symbol of sacrifice and loyalty,” adding that almost every women in Lebanon has “sacrificed a beloved one on the altar of her country”. In concluding, the local head of the Kataeb party pledged to continue the struggle for women’s liberation.  (Al Mustaqbal, 15 March 2015)

Akkar Network for Development commemorated the completion of its project entitled “Justice for Women”, implemented in the northern mo7afazat of Akkar and funded by Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. The ceremony which was held in Batrun was attended by MP Nidaal Tohmeh, Akkar Governor, Imad Labaki, Political Advisor at the Canadian Ambassy, Somita Deteks and Director of Grants at the Embassy, Nicole Mayar, in addition to mayors and representatives of civil society organizations, the participants in the project and the media. In her opening speech, President of the Network, Nadine Saba, emphasised the need for raising awareness on Law No. 293 noting that the struggle to stop violence against women (VAW) cannot be achieved without the active participation of men and the rest of society members. Selena Sallum from the Network indicated that some 400 women and girls participated in the various awareness workshops organised by the project. Deteks for her part praised the resilience of Lebanese woman in general and of women in Akkar in particular and congratulated the training graduates. The ceremony included also a panel discussion in which Tohmeh emphasized the role of legislators and parliamentary committees in enacting the law for the protection of women and family against violence. In his intervention Labaki focused on his successful personal experience with women in management and local governance. His experience, he stated should encourage a greater number of women to participate in politics, local governance and management. Haitham Kaseer from the media pointed out to the important role played by the media in supporting civil society action to pass the VAW law. The ceremony was concluded with the distribution of certificates and in gifts to participants in the training workshops. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, 15 March 2015)

Upon the invitation from the Women Pastoral Society in Ehden and Zghorta Parish and on the occasion of IWD, a seminar was organized in Zghorta entitled “the rights of women between reality and legislation” at Milad Al Ghazal Moawwad Cultural and Sports Center. Speaking on behalf of the parish committee, Marie Terez AL Kawal pointed out to the disparities that exist between the Lebanese constitution and international conventions on one hand and the texts of the current Lebanese laws. Appellate Lawyer in the North, Judge Amani Hamdan, outlined the various stages in women’s struggle noting the absence of a special legislation on the rights of women and demanding full adherence to international human rights laws and conventions. Hamdan emphasized the importance of introducing the women’s quota in political legislation as a first step to achieve equality. Another speaker, Director of Justice without Borders association, Brigitte Chalabian, said, “We need to acquire a better knowledge of women’s rights in order to reach a more just society. We also stressed the need not only for developing new equalitarian laws but also work to promote the culture of law. For his part, Commander of the Sessions of Specialized Officers in Internal Security Forces, Major Elie Al Asmar, spoke about the role of the judicial police in dealing with domestic violence and how to protect women and combat violence against them. (Al Mustaqbal, March 2015)

Association Najdeh celebrated the International Women’s Day under the slogan “Women together, always forward”. The event which extended over one week took place at all branches of the Association across Lebanon with participation of the women enrolled in its programs. Activities included general debates on the history of women struggle and their social roles with theatric plays depicting the rights and the vital participation of women in public life and in decision making. Celebrations were also held in which flowers and gifts were distributed to women participants, during which interactive plays, recreational trips and creative activities that were organized to highlight the role of women and their rights. It is to be recalled that programs and projects carried out by the association largely focus on women’s empowerment through the necessary means and tools that enhance her educational, social, political and economic participation, as well as women’s contribution to leadership roles in sustainable development that help in the development of society, particularly that of Palestinian women. (Al Diyar, 15 March 2015)

The International Center for Copyright and Law Studies organized a workshop under the title “Alphabet and Women Growing Together”. In his opening speech, president of the Center, Lawyer Shadi Abu Issa said that despite Lebanon’s partaking in many law-related international conventions, yet still it lingers behind in effective implementation or observation of those agreements. He stressed the significance of commitment to all aspects of these international conventions. Secretary, Andira Zuheiri, highlighted the important role of women in society urging the strengthening of that role away from discrimination, violence or marginalization, while emphasizing the strong relation in education between women and the alphabet. Chairperson of the Child Association, Monsi Haidar, underlined the role of family in developing an innovative society and in enhancing the economic, social and cultural roles of women. For his part, Dr. Fadi Hada tackled the phenomenon of violence against women, stressing the need to support civil society groups and to develop laws to protect women and the family, support awareness campaigns and programs and to train social workers. In conclusion, the International Center for Copyright and Law Studies praised every woman who acts to protect and bring her family together. A number of recommendations were issued at the end of the workshop namely: Develop existing family rights related legislation while making sure that they are implemented; amend discriminatory laws and decisions in line with human rights principles; set up a national family commission similar to the national relief commission; develop cultural campaigns and seminars to educate citizens, politicians, law professionals, members of the security and the judiciary bodies, in collaboration with universities, civil organizations and trade unions; establish a competent jurisdiction to receive complaints about family rights assaults; set up a special liaison office at every ministry to be responsible for family rights issues; organize cultural festivities related to the Lebanese Alphabet, innovation and copyright inside and outside Lebanon; develop the cultural, historical and tourism centers and finally launce media campaigns to reflect Lebanon’s rich historic culture. (Al Diyar, 15 March 2015)

Future Lebanon association, in coordination with the Middle East Office of the Francophone University Agency in the Middle East (AUF), organized a round table to discuss the possibility of setting up a ministry for women’s affairs in Lebanon. The event which took place in UNESCO Palace in Beirut, under the title of “Political Commitment of Women, a Prospect for Democracy”, was run by former Jordanian Minister for Women’s Affairs, Nadia Hashem Al 3aloul, Dean of the Higher Institute of Law in the Middle East, Professor Leila Saadeh, AUF Middle East Office Director, Professor Hervy Saburan, and Chairman of Future Lebanon, Lawyer Patricia Smida, and in the presence of Jordan Ambassador to Lebanon, Nabil Masarweh. In the opening session, Saburan revealed the formation of a network to promote the access of women to leadership positions. The new network, Saburan said, will be headed by Professor Saadeh with the aim to enhance those values which help to support women against general public indifference. For her part, Saadeh outlined two main proposals: the first is commitment to women’s active participation in political life as a prospect for democracy and the second is the creation of a ministry for women’s affairs in Lebanon. Smida emphasised the need for such a ministry, which will be entrusted with the development of equal opportunity policy that will be imbedded in the constitution. She went on to say that most of the current Lebanese laws are discriminatory against women, adding, that Afghanistan, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, France and England, all have such ministries for women affairs. She noted that women have repetitively proven that they are capable of leading the nation, while underlying that the law is not the obstacle, but the absence of a political will is. Finally and in her presentation, Al 3aloul focused on women’s achievements adding that the round table meeting is part of a campaign to support and empower women, politically, socially and economically. She also presented a quick review of Arab women struggles throughout history. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, 13 March 2015)

Lebanese Forces MP, Elie Kayrooz, filed a formal query to the Cabinet through Speaker Nabih Berri demanding clarifications for the delay in enacting some provisions of Law No. 293 dating 7/5/2014 for the protection of women and family members against domestic violence, particularly since the passing of the bill was formally made public in the Official Gazette. The formal request for clarification stated the following: “We ask the Lebanese government, specifically their Excellency, Justice Minister, Ashraf Rifi, Interior Minister, Nuhad Al Almashnuk and Social Affairs Minister, Rashid Derbas to give justifications for the 10 month delay since last May 2014 to date, in the enforcement of Article 5 providing for the establishing of a special unit at the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces (ISF), shall carry tasks similar to the judiciary police and shall examine the complaints submitted before the same and referred thereto according to the provisions of the present law? How long will battered women continue to file complaints as stipulated by the said Law to non-specialized Judicial Police members, and in clear violation of Article 5 of the same Law, thus reversing the validity of the Law and emptying it from its executive power and most basic validations? As such, we put forward this letter, demanding that you refer our above enquiry to the Cabinet of Ministers, namely to ministers concerned, demanding an answer in writing to our query within a period of maximum 15 days from the date of receiving this letter. (Al Mustaqbal, 12 March 2015)