Other news

The scientific, social and environmental club of Ayruniyyeh – Baddawi organized last week a seminar entitled “CEDAW safeguards your rights”, which focused on women’s rights and legislations covered by CEDAW and attended by the Club’s president, Mr. Moustafa Abulaziz Saadeh , the President of Equality Association Sara2 Dannaoui, the media man Wafiq Houari, and with the participation of a number of Lebanese and Syrian displaced women and activists.

Saadeh begun by welcoming the participants and called for pooling efforts of civil society and the state so as to contribute to the advancement of the nation.  Houari then introduced the Convention and highlighted its importance and its pioneering role in spreading awareness.  He spoke of some mechanisms to address discrimination against women and went through legislation which protects women’s rights.  The seminar concluded with a question and answers session and booklets on CEDAW and on women’s rights distributed to the audience.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 3 March 2014

Rassemblement Democratique des Femmes Libanaises (RDFL) issued a statement yesterday highlighting the very low representation of women in this cabinet despite the persistent demands for a fair representation as well as the adoption of the women quota.  The statement acknowledges the nomination of Minister Alice Chabtini following the intervention and recommendation of the President of the Republic.  RDFL demanded in its statement that the current new Cabinet includes rightful women's issues in its Ministerial statement and work towards bringing justice to women suffering from a historical marginalisation of their rights, and exert pressures for adopting the draft law for the protection of women against domestic violence that still awaits the awakening of the consciences of the parliamentarians, whilst domestic violence cases is on the rise in Lebanon.  The statement further outlines the key demands namely women's right to nationality, reform of the penal code, labor law and national social security provisions, an end to the exclusion of women from active participation in the political and public life, the adoption of a civil law for personal status, and the lifting of reservations on CEDAW.  Furthermore, RDFL highlights the need to address the plight of Syrian women refugees and asked the government to take due responsibility and put in place protection measures to challenge violence and exploitation.
The women organisation concluded by hoping that this new phase will be an entry point for the state to honor its international commitment and to abolish all forms of discrimination and violence against women, as well as ensure that all women in Lebanon are free from injustice and exclusion.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar 28 February 2014

Women organisations from parts of Mount Lebanon issued a statement yesterday congratulating the formation of the new Cabinet with the appointment of a woman Minister, Judge Alice Chabtini, to hold the Ministry of the Displaced.  The statement highlights the general positive climate which reigned over Lebanon and its citizens following the formation of the new Cabinet and acknowledges the efforts of President Suleiman, Premier Tammam Salam, as well as the contribution of MP Walid Joumblat in bringing together people and points of view.  The statement hoped for continued rapprochement for the benefit of the country and thanked the President for nominating Minister Shabtini, a women figure well known for her competence, vast knowledge and integrity.  The statement concluded by hoping that the next Cabinet will be fairer to women so as to achieve equal citizenship amongst all.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 27 February 2014

The President of the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission, MP Michel Mussa, convened a meeting at the House yesterday to discuss the issue of domestic violence.  At the end of the meeting Mussa demanded that the bill to protect women from domestic violence was unanimously endorsed, some time ago, by a sub commission of the Joint Commissions especially that it had met 58 times for that purpose and introduced a number of important changes to that bill.  Mussa hoped that the concerned public institutions will resume normal work following the formation of the new cabinet so that this law can finally be passed. He noted that officials should not await the passing of the law as the present laws in Lebanon de facto penalise anybody who causes harm within or beyond the family.  He added that there are tangible advances in this regard particularly, pointing out to  present training to build capacities of the judiciary system to deal with issues of domestic violence. He also referred to an admin memo requiring those concerned to launch criminal pursuits against perpetrators of domestic violence.  Mussa further added that his Commission discussed the role of forensic doctors and that MP Atef Majdalani confirmed that he will convene a meeting of the Parliamentary Commission dealing with health to discuss all aspects of violence against women and the need to use meticulous and more modern medical technology. This has become a pressing need following the case of Rola Yaakoob and what was relayed in the media about the poor-performance of forensic doctors and the contradictions they exhibited.
Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Nahar 26 February 2014

The Lebanese Council for Women convened yesterday its conference entitled “Human security: freedom from fear and need” under the auspices of former PM, Negib Mikati, and with the participation of several key social and political figures.
In her opening address, the president of the Council, Ms. Jamal Ghabril, spoke about politicians who are fully aware of global state interests but who nevertheless lead their people to carry out futile religious, sectarian and confessional wars for which they pay the price.  She added that women have paid the price of the collapse of the global economic and security system in terms of unemployment, poverty, death and insecurity.
May Mikati spoke on behalf of former PM Mikati and emphasized that the only solution for Lebanon is via an electoral law based on proportional representation and  which will ensure the proper representation of women at all levels in Lebanon society.
The chair of the directorate of women, family and childhood at the League of Arab States shared that the LAS has just launched the Women and Security strategy (http://wfclas.org/ar/Pages/Page/176 )and is now working on an optional plan to ensure that all members of the League of Arab States will bear the responsibility of protecting women during conflict and unrest.  
For her part, the president of the International Council for Women noted that any country cannot advance unless women are active and represented.  She also saluted the resilience of Lebanese women during the war and compared them to a role model who could make change happen together with men.
Source: Al-Diyar 25 February 2014

Fekr Wa 7ayat Association organized yesterday and in collaboration with Partnership Center for Development and Democracy a workshop entitled “when women talk CEDAW” targeting women participating in the USAID funded programme entitled “economic empowerment for Lebanese and Syrian women”.
The workshop introduced the participants to the various components of the Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and highlighted the various clauses to which Lebanon expressed its reservation namely in relation to family laws, women’s right to transmit nationality as well as state arbitration.  The workshop also included the viewing of a film on cases of women denied the right to transmit nationality to their children followed by a general discussion and was concluded with the distribution of awareness raising material.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 25 February 2014

The National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) launched its new Gender Equality Program during a public event which was held last week at the NCLW training centre in Baabda.  The program which has received a grant of Euros 1.5 million from the European Union, seeks to strengthen gender equality in Lebanon through building the institutional capacity of the NCLW in addition to supporting the role of CSOs in advocacy for women’s political, social and economic rights as per the provisions of the NCLW ten year strategy for 2011 – 2021 that was launched back in 2013.
NCLW’s president, First Lady Wafa Suleiman emphasized that women are key in the process of social development as they represent half the society.  Thus, failing to include them in development processes is a major failing that is condemned internationally.  She continued by saying that she hopes to see women in decision making position, able to transmit her nationality to her husband and children, and legally protected from violence.  She hoped that Lebanon will achieve full and substantive gender equality through removing all forms of discrimination in law and in practice.
The Secretary General of NCLW, lawyer Fadi Karam, noted that the reason for launching this initiative which is in the form of a collaboration between the NCLW and the EU is to move forward with the institutionalization process of NCLW, to strengthen collaboration with NGOS/CSOs and with the gender focal points network in Ministries and public institutions.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Diyar 24 February 2014

Al Akhbar newspaper published last week a report on the phenomenon of marriage of under age girls by journalist Rajana Hamieh.  The author highlights the absence of official statistics which would have shed some light on this matter.  As such, the only data available pertains to a study conducted by CAS and UNICEF on the situation of women and children in Lebanon and which dates back to 2009.  Hamieh notes that despite its importance, this study does not reflect the current realities with the obvious rise in the marriage of under age girls especially amongst displaced Syrian families as well as poor local families.  The CAS study which covers a sample of 7560 women indicated that 2.1% of the women who were aged between 15 and 49 during the time of the study married before the age of 15 whereas 13.4% of women who were aged between 18 and 49 during the study married under 18 years of age. Some 10.5% of women who got married before the age of 18 were mostly residents of the Beirut suburbs, followed by 7.7% in Mount Lebanon.  North Lebanon scored the higher percentage of women who were married before the age of 15 (3.3%) which is consistent with the situation today and the recent reporting of three cases of young girls married at 14 years of age.

The author concludes by demanding that the state enacts a law for minimum marriage bringing up the marriage age to18. She highlights that 18 year olds are not allowed voting because they did attain legal eligibility whereas determining the age of marriage is left to confessional authorities who condone under age marriage.  She also points out to the Human Rights Convention which guarantee the right of every individual to enter Marriage only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses, as well as to clause 16 of the Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women which stipulates that “The betrothal and the marriage of a child shall have no legal effect, and all necessary action, including legislation, shall be taken to specify a minimum age for marriage and to make the registration of marriages in an official registry compulsory.”
Source: Al-Akhbar 14 February 2014

As-Safir newspaper published, last week, a report focusing on both issues of crossing the confession from the civil registers, contracting and registering civil marriages in Lebanon.  This report came after the conclusion of a six month process during which the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities studied six civil marriage files resulting in their registration in the civil registers.  With this, twelve cases of civil marriages contracted in Lebanon would have been processed successfully.
As Safir also refers to a number of cases in which Lebanese citizens faced difficulties after choosing to cross the reference to their confession from their civil register. Difficulties were particularly encountered when applying for jobs, registering civil or religious marriages as well as divorce and inheritance.  All cases talk of the frustrations they have felt and the inflexibility of many a civil servant.
Within this framework, public notary Joseph Beshara noted that there are no longer any real obstacles facing any couple as the solution is in the law and judges enjoy the flexibility of interpreting the law.  He also added that the Constitution as well as International Convention have precedence over local laws and they safeguard the principle of equality as well as the right of children.  Lawyer Nayla Geagea noted for her part that the struggle for civil marriage as an alternative for all Lebanese is far from over, however, there are now laws and decisions which will challenge any civil servant who decides to be an obstacle in such cases.  She added that the cases picked up by the media, in case of employment or registration of civil marriage, all have legal solutions.  Lawyer Bassel Abdallah of the Civil Society Movement noted that things are moving in the right direction and that obstacles are being removed in terms of registering civil marriage, employment and even in terms of inheritance eventhough he believes, that the campaign to cross the confession should have required more efforts.
Activists who celebrated last week the official registration of civil marriage do not know for sure how many citizens actually scrapped their confession from their civil register.  However, according to LUDY activist, Arabi Andary, some 2000 individuals have taken this step since the start of the campaign.  He also noted, as per Geagea, that the law protects all those who take this step.
Source: Al-Safir 17 February 2014

With the seemingly increase in domestic violence crimes in Lebanon, An Nahar newspaper published a report on the reactions of civil society and women organizations.  Activist Linda Matar told the newspaper that throughout her journey, she has never witnessed that sharp level of domestic violence in Lebanon and which is leading to the death of several women.  According to Matar, the absence of a law protecting women coupled with a patriarchal system have both contributed to the victimization of women.  Matar adds that laws actually protect men and not women although the latter are citizens who work hard to secure the livelihood and education of their children.  The director of Kafa, Zoya Ruhana, noted that there is no statistical rise in the number of domestic violence incidents.  What is different is the fact that the media is playing a more important role in highlighting these crimes.  In the past, families of the victims were part of a conspiracy of silence leading to considering these crimes as accidents.  Families are now more aware of domestic violence as a crime.  Ruhana added that Kafa is currently preparing for a public action on March 8th consisting of a march from the Museum to the Ministry of Justice so as to raise awareness on this issue and on the need to enact the law.  She added that invitations have already been disseminated on social media and asked for the collaboration of all in this action.
On the other hand, the press offices of MPs Strida GeaGea and Elie Keyrouz issued a statement condemning the murder of Krystel Abi Chacra who suffered from domestic violence for many years and as the judiciary to perform an in depth investigation to uncover this crime.  Both reaffirmed their support to the domestic violence protection legislative bill under consideration.
Source: Al-Nahar 19 February 2014