News updates

Salam Yamout, who was sworn in yesterday as the new head of the National Bloc Party, held the government fully responsible for negligence in addressing the financial, economic and social crisis in the country. She pointed out that after two months of the revolution, the people and the ruling authorities are still far apart. Yamout uncovered the program of her party to face the disastrous situation from four axes: strengthening the social safety net; curbing the financial spiral down; stopping embezzlement of funds; fighting corruption and recovery of looted public funds, as well as the enactment of a fair electoral law. Yamout said the solutions are there but the predicament lies in their implementation, saying: “We have to put the right team in the right place, meaning a government of technocrats from outside the ruling elite.” In conclusion, Yamout pointed out that Lebanese women have suffered enough from the discriminatory and bigoted laws, stressing that women alone can break down the actual and mental barriers in society and unite their dreams. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, December 19, 2019)
 

CARE International organized yesterday a field trip to Tripoli to present a number of projects the organization implements over Lebanon as part of the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) to help refugees and host communities. On the occasion, CARE country director in Lebanon stressed that the organization has projects for Lebanon for the next five years targeting Lebanese communities in the areas of women’s rights, combatting poverty and protecting the environment. In this respect, a meeting was held with beneficiaries and coordinators of programs related to the protection of women and girls and elimination of violence against them, noting that said projects are funded by the EU- Madad Fund, UN Women and Ford Foundation. The programs provide backing to most marginalized women and girls, basically through awareness sessions, social and psychological assistance and mentoring, as well as through specialized services and capacity building activities, like, first aid and training on self-defense. (An Nahar, December 18, 2019)

In its issue of December 12, An Nahar daily reported that the Egyptian street is discussing the issue of wearing the hijab in public places and government departments or banning it similar to other countries. The controversy was sparked after naming the ‘veiled’ fine artist, Mona Qamah, as director of the Palace of Culture in Buheira Province. In the details, An Nahar wrote that the designation of Qamah has incited a wave of condemnation and criticism in cultural circles, which prompted Ahmad Awad, the head of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, to revoke the decision. Awad explained that Qamah was temporarily managing the work of the director of Kfar Duwar Palace of Culture pending the assignment of a new director. Citing a number of legislature members, An Nahar said they planned to file a request to ban the hijab within public offices, in referral namely to MP Ghada Ajami who earlier submitted a draft bill prohibiting wearing of hijab in public places. Ajami justified this by claiming that the rate of crime has increased especially with the increased use of the veil by extremist groups. For her part, Amna Nseir, professor of philosophy of belief at Al Azhar University, member of parliament, told the newspaper that wearing the veil is not an Islamic custom, hoping it would be banned by law for security and safety reasons. (An Nahar, December 12, 2019)

The Ladies European Tour (LET) announced on December 13 that Saudi Arabia will host during 2020 the first ever golf tournament for women with USD one million worth of financial prizes. The tournament to note, is held within the sports resurgence plan in the Saudi Kingdom and follows the inauguration of the Saudi International men’s event this year. The Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in the Jeddah-based King Abdullah Economic City will host the women tournament between March 19 to 22 next year, with the participation of British golfer Carly Booth. “I am looking forward to be part of history through my participation with other women in the tournament,” Booth said. “I have visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on several occasions, and have been fortunate enough to spend some time instructing local women and girls in golf,” Booth added. (An Nahar, December 13, 2019)
 

Spain’s defense ministry announced on December 14 the opening of vacancies, specifically for women, to join its special forces as part of international efforts to fight terrorism. Spanish defense minister, Margarita Robles explained that the UN has called for more women to help in conflict resolution around the world. She stressed that Arabic-speaking women are among those sought for UN or Nato-led missions in conflict areas. Recalling, that Robles has visited the army’s command for special operations where some women have joined elite forces. During her visit, Robles attended a mock offensive on a terrorist center with the aim to collect intelligence information. (Al Diyar, December 16, 2019)
 

After a meeting with the Gender Committee yesterday, the education minister in the caretaker government, Akram Shehayeb, clarified facts about the circular ordering the termination of service of married female employees. He explained that said directive was issued based on the decision of the Civil Service Council, 5/9/2019 and according to Law No. 22/82 dated 3/8/1982 and Decree No. 58/82. Said laws, he noted, have given the married female civil servant in the educational and administrative departments the right to file a request to terminate her service after marriage if she so wished. Shehayeb maintained that the circular is built around previous legal texts intended to give the married employee the right to choose her career path as she sees fit but never to encourage her to quit work. He pointed out that the Law No. 144/2019 has put on hold the requests for retirement, except in the cases when claimants have reached the legal age of retirement or cases supported by provisions of Article 39 of the Staff Regulations and Amendments Code. The above circular, Shehayeb added, has come to re-claim the right of married female employees to choose. He finally praised the role of women in all areas, expressing his willingness, as a minister and lawmaker, to endorse any draft bill aimed to eliminate gender-based discrimination. (Al Mustaqbal, December 13, 2019)