Other news

A number of civil, women, human rights, and development organizations from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Tunisia, and Morocco, met in Beirut between 15th and 17th December upon the invitation of the Collective for Research and Training on Development – Action (CRTD.A) and within the framework of the “Sustainable Economic Opportunities for Women” project to review the current political situation in the Arab region and its implications on the rights of women.
The 19 participating organizations launched an appeal in which it reviewed the current situation and areas of concern and highlighted obstacles and challenges affecting liberties and women’s rights in Lebanon notably the deterioration of the security situation, the rise of terrorist operations and armed conflict and the risk these pose on the process of democratic transitions, the various forms of moral and physical violence against women which has reached slavery and murder, the deterioration of social and economic conditions and its negative repercussion on women, as well as the deterioration of liberties notably the right to organize thus impeding the work of CSOs and democratic forces, and finally the rise of various forms of political Islam notably fundamentalist forces which are a threat to human rights and to the rights of women and minorities.
Organisations participating in the Beirut appeal called on governments to adopt public policies which mainstream gender at all level especially in terms of economic and social rights, and which focus on employment and social protection, in addition to ensuring equality between women and men in their access to resources as well as in the enjoyment of rights and to include CSOs in policy dialogue ad formulation.
Source: Al-Nahar 18 December 2014

The current Minister of Labor, Sejaan Azzi, announced that his Ministry is about issue a decree which will define professions that are “exclusive for the Lebanese” and which will be endorsed by next Monday.  Azzi insisted that giving priority to Lebanese nationals is not a racist act and does not target anybody in particular. Azzi further clarified that this decision is due to the increased migration of the Lebanese caused by unemployment and the influx of Syrian labor, adding that this move will protect the Lebanese labor which is subjected to “exploitation and blackmail”. Azzi was speaking during a round table discussion organized by the Lebanese Businessmen Association (LBA) yesterday, which aimed at discussing various social projects suggested by the LBA in addition to reviewing the needed legal reforms for an enabling business environment
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Safir, Al-Diyar, Al-Hayat, Al-Nahar 12 December 2014

Judge Peter Germanos released his presumptive decision in the case of the murder of Nisrine Ruhana and considered that clause 549 of the penal code, which stipulates the death sentence, applies to her husband J. D. now in custody.  The file was referred to the accusatory body for a decision.  The statement noted that on November 25th 2014, an army intelligence patrol called the police station in Ghazir informing it that a body of a woman was found in Naher Ibrahim River.  Forensic physician Elias Saadeh from Kesrwan was asked to examine the body.  He later asserted that the victim died from two gunshots in her right eye and shoulder.  On 26 November 2014, a Military Police patrol surrendered the victim’s husband who confessed to killing his wife when interrogated by the police in Ghazir.  He further repeated his confession during his interrogation and added that he had decided to kill her after the release of the court order by the urgent matters judge granting his wife custody of their children as well as requesting him to pay a monthly alimony of LBP 300,000 as well as a compensation of LBP 1 million.
On a related vein, the women sector of the Future Movement coordination in Juma area of Akkar organized a seminar on family violence at the municipality of Halba.  The event included the screening of a short film on a women killed by her husband followed by a presentation of the various stages of the endorsement of the law to protect family members from domestic violence.  The event concluded with a discussion amongst participants.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal 11 December 2014

The Groact association organized a round table discussion yesterday entitled “how do clubs, associations, and cooperatives benefit financially and in-kind from relevant ministries?”  The event included the participation of Joseph Saadallah representing the General Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Abir Qassiss representing the General Director of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Jamal Qusta representing cooperatives’ association, as well as Rony Lahoud, Chairman and General Manager at the Public Corporation for Housing.
The discussion started with a keynote address by the president of GROACT, George Tannus who outlined the objectives of his organization which seeks to mobilize young people and encourage the creation of associations and clubs.  Qusta explained for her part the ways in which the general directorate of cooperatives helps in training and capacity building, while Qassiss spoke about the departments and directorates within the Ministry of Social Affairs and explained their roles and contributions.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 9 December 2014

The media reported during the past few days the plight of Fatimah Seif Eddine (21 year old) who called the ISF 112 hotline to report the abuse she continuously suffers from by her uncle.  Fatmeh's complaints remained unheard as she was mocked by the policeman who answered the phone.  Fatmeh suffered the same treatment by police agents in both Borj el Barajneh and Mrayjeh.  A policeman blamed her for complaining against her uncle while another one told her "do not call us, we will call you".
Local newspapers lamented the carelessness of the policy as a result of which her uncle continued to hit her and knocked her out till she became unconscious.  Fatmeh’s new complain was treaded in the same manner , whilst having official medical reports in her possession as a physician in the military hospital reported that she was a victim of physical violence. Police authorities noted that the behavior of the police officers is in disregard of the procedures adopted by ISF and assured that violators will be held accountable for their acts, Meanwhile, Fatmeh and other women victims of violence remain under the threat of being denied protection.
Source: Al-Akhbar, 6 December 2014

Finally, the Parliamentary Commission for women and children headed by MP Gilberte Zouein, met yesterday to discuss the conditions of women in prisons.  Notwithstanding the importance of this subject, one cannot help but noticing that this Commission has been noticeably silent in regards to other key issues related to women notably women’s right to nationality, personal status laws, the penal code, violence against women, etc… and has made little contribution to protect women and secure their rights.  Furthermore, it is to be reminded that previous interventions made by this Commission have mostly served to reinforce patriarchal positions and mindsets.  This time the Commission dwelt for five hours on the matter at hand and decided to postpone the discussions to ulterior meetings.
Source: Al-Nahar 5 December 2014
 

YWCA in Merjeyoun honored Linda Issa Hurani who offered her house to host the YWCA premises in Marje3yoon for many years during which a number of developmental activities for young women and children in the region were implemented.  YWCA presented a shield to Ms. Hurani with wishes for a long life rich with philanthropy.
Source: Al-Nahar 2 December 2014

On the occasion of the International Day to Combat Violence Against Women (November 25th), and as part of the activities to mark the international 16 days campaign, LECORVAW launched two projects to protect women and girls under the slogan of "unite to end VAW".  The first project is called "secure women and girls" and targets Lebanese and Syrian women and aiming at empowering them economically through a vocational training that extends over 10 months in addition to language training.  The project is implemented with Heartland Alliance with funding from UNICEF.  The second project is entitled "supporting and empowering Syrian women refugees" and will be implemented with funding from Kvinna till Kvinna.  It targets key women leaders and seek to support them with knowledge about early marriage, sexual harassment and peace building so that they contribute to raising awareness of their communities.
RDFL issued for its part a statement indicating that the association will launch two movies during the 16 days campaign and which will be viewed throughout Lebanon.  The first addresses the issue of sexual violence and the second focuses on the image of women in the media.
For its part, Kafa, Enough Violence and Exploitation, launched a new cartoon character called Zalfa, with her own webpage which includes queries and answers about the recently approved domestic violence law and a sample of a demand form for protection addressed to official authorities, and that any woman can use.  Faten Abu Shaqra, the projects’ coordinator of Kafa, noted that the association chose Zalfa as a new vector to reach women and raise their awareness on rights and laws that can protect them. Abu Shaqra also noted that Kafa will organize a round table on the 5th of December in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, to develop procedures for action to protect women that will be thereafter addressed to judges. Within the same vein, Abaad association also launched a new campaign entitled: “Through Violence, No One Comes Ahead. The ultimate responsibility is putting an end to violence against women”. In a statement about the campaign, the association noted the important role that decision makers can play to stop violence against women, adding that the campaign came to sharpen the political will to handle violence against women in a more inclusive and sustainable manner, noting that this fight is not one of women alone.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar 26 November 2014

Household violence against women continues unabated with more women being killed in cold blood for a variety of reasons.  The most recent of these victims is Nisrine Ruh7ana killed in cold blood by her husband who fired a gun at her and then proudly called his mother to tell her the news.  The victim's sister told the media that Nisrine left home with a colleague of hers.  Nisrine worked at ABC and since she separated from her husband some eight months ago, she always went to work with a friend as she was afraid of her former husband.  On her way to work, she was accosted by her husband who threatened her with a gun whilst her colleague screamed.  The violent husband took her in his car and shot her twice before throwing her in the Nahr Ibrahim River after making sure that she is dead.  According to Nisrine's family, her husband beat her every day during their ten years of marriage.  He was unemployed and always took her money as she was the family's breadwinner.  Nisrine had to go to the hospital once because of the beatings and after that, she separated from her husband, gained custody f the children whilst her husband was order to seek psychiatric treatment.  To be noted, Nisrine's family has filed a law suit against Nisrine's husband for premeditated murder.
Source: Al-Akhbar 27 November 2014

The international ICan network of CSOs organized its third regional forum last week in Turkey with the participation of women from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Iran, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The seminar focused on combating fundamentalism and militarism.  In covering the event, An Nahar newspaper failed to take notice of the contribution of the Lebanese participants saved for a fleeting mention of the impact of the Syrian displacement and the growing role of parties amidst dysfunctional state institutions and growing power of fundamentalist groups.
The newspaper covered however a number of contributions from other participants who spoke about what their countries were experiencing as a result of the outbreak of extremism and the growing support to ISIS particularly in Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Participants from Arab countries also spoke of the realities of their countries.  Libyan women in exile said that they were on the hit lists of the country that has two cabinets, two parliaments and several powerful militias.  One woman called for the intervention of the international community to stop the inflow of armed terrorists and to support the army and the police so that Libya does not turn into ISIS-land.  Tunisian women also called for support to their army whereas Egyptian women complained from detentions currently taking place, according to an anonymous speaker who feared being detained herself.   Similar positions came from Gaza who continues to suffer from Israeli aggressions and their devastating impacts, as well as similarly as in the case of Tajikistan and Pakistan, from growing support to extremist parties.  According to Syrian participants, women are paying the price of violence and war as they become widows or lose their children or are subject to rape or prostitution to feed their children.  According to the newspaper, and despite the growing action of women in Syria, participants from that country chose to focus on immediate needs, thus giving the impression that their role is limited to humanitarian assistance and that they lack any political vision of the future.
Source: Al-Nahar 18 November 2014