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English

Minister Raya Hassan’s statement on civil marriage sparks wide controversy

19-2-2019

The new minister of interior, Raya Hassan, told Euronews that she personally endorses a framework for civil marriage and will seek to start a serious dialogue on the issue with religious authorities with the support of prime minister Saad Hariri until it is recognized. Hassan’s remarks have sparked wide public controversy drawing fierce backlash from those who oppose civil marriage or strong backing from advocates of a civil personal status law. Meanwhile, Christian and Muslim clerics strongly criticized the minister publicly on TV. Dar el Fatwa announced in a statement yesterday its absolute rejection of civil marriage as it contradicts the provisions of Islamic Sharia, noting that the issue falls within its responsibility. Al Akhbar newspaper wrote that Dar el Fatwa’s position crisscrosses that of other religious establishments in the country. In the same vein, Al Diyar daily cited Future Movement circles as saying that PM Hariri has asked minister Hassan to ‘withdraw tactically’ from the issue and refrain from mobilizing further discussion on ‘optional’ marriage as the matter prompts unwanted confrontation with Dar el Fatwa which the council of ministers has no ambition to face. Progressive Socialist Party head, Walid Jumblat, entirely supported Hassan in her call for civil marriage, as did the Lebanese National Bloc Party. Also Free Patriotic Party and the Lebanese Forces MPs expressed their personal support to the issue. Nayla Geagea, activist in the field of human rights and citizenship rights, pointed out that respecting the individualities of religions in Lebanon in terms of personal status, is an exception stipulated by the Constitution and is not a monopoly or a privilege. There are scores of draft bills related to civil marriage that are kept in the drawers of the parliament. (An Nahar, Al Akhbar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Hayat, Al Diyar, February 19, 2019)

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French female composer in a male dominated world

19-2-2019

In its issue of today, An Nahar newspaper spotlighted 28-year-old French musician, Camille Pepin, a woman composer in a field almost totally male-dominated with a small margin for females. Pepin will reportedly release her first album ‘Chamber Music’ on February 22 and is preparing her first ballet music, at a time when female shares in concert programs around the world is almost negligible. In an interview with AFP, Pepin said sexist remarks never bothered her, yet she is appalled by the prevalence of gender stereotyping in the music world. Pepin stressed in a statement that she is well aware it will take generations to counterbalance decades of desertion. “There were only men and I was the only woman in the classes I attended at the Conservatoire de Paris,” she said, adding, “I survived despite some bitter memories.” She pointed out that things are slowly evolving and young instructors are coming to the conservatoire, hoping one day this question will not arise again. (An Nahar, February 19, 2019)

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No chances for women in Tunisian presidency

18-2-2019

A BBC report published on February 16 on the chances of Tunisian women reaching the presidency in the upcoming December 2019 elections said women were not optimistic in this regard, at least not for this year. BBC recalled that in 2014, three women sought to run for president but only one, in the history of Tunisia, Judge Kulthoum Kenou, succeeded in nominating herself for the position competing with 25 male candidates, but received the least number of votes. According to the BBC report, professor of international economics, Leila Humami, announced her candidacy for this year, while others are also expected to follow. The report explained that, despite Tunisia’s progressive outlook compared to many Arab countries, however, in women’s rights, the North African country still drags behind, and females have no access to decision-making positions. Noting, that out of 26 ministerial portfolios, there are only three women ministers on the head of ‘non-sovereign’ ministries. On the subject, researcher Rahma el Sayd, said Tunisian law does not exclude women from candidature or from winning in presidency elections. The main obstacle, she explained, lies in the relatively conservative society of Tunisia that shuns the notion of females becoming leaders. Rahma went on to say, that the Tunisian electors are not ready to choose a woman for presidency, notwithstanding the presence, but not obvious presence, of a number of high-profile women- even in the leadership of parties. Women’s political participation of women in the country is ceremonial, Rahma said. Similarly, the feminist activist and educator, Yusra Saghir, pointed out that the partisan leadership in Tunisia is patriarchal, which hence impedes women’s access to politics. For the full report in Arabic, kindly visit the link below: https://bbc.in/2Gtm97s. (Al Diyar, February 17, 2019)

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Sexual crimes against women on the rise in South Sudan

18-2-2019

A UN report released on February 15 revealed that sexual violence and rape crimes against women and girls not more than 8 years continue unabated in South Sudan’s northern region. This happens despite the peace agreement signed back in September 2018, the UN report said, noting that the majority of perpetrators are youth militia elements of the pro-Taban Deng, the first deputy president. According to a report by OHCHR and UNMISS, around 175 cases of rape were committed by gangs dressed in security forces uniform between September and December 2018. On the other hand, Doctors Without Borders said this past November it treated 125 women and girls that have been gang raped over a period of 10 days. On the subject, OHCHR Michelle Bachelet warned in a statement that rape and gang rape in the Unity province has continued since the beginning of this year, as assailants likely believe they commit the crimes with impunity and can get away with them. A senior government official in capital of South Sudan, Juba, described the UN report as unrealistic and accused NGOs of manipulating for fundraising. (Al Diyar, February 16, 2019)

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Nadera Fawaz head of media and communication committee of Mediterranean Gymnastics Confederation

18-2-2019

Nadera Munir Fawaz, the president of the Lebanese Gymnastics Federation, was appointed as chairperson of the Media and Communication Committee of the Mediterranean Gymnastics Federation until 2022. Fawaz is best known for her dynamic follow-up of various sports activities and events, besides her special scientific-inclined interest in Gymnastics, according to NNA. Fawwaz accompanied the Lebanon’s national football team during the 29th Asian Cup final tournament hosted by the UAE. Al Diyar, in this respect, hailed women’s leadership role locally and outside, revealing that the general elections of sports federations will be held after 18 months, and hoping it will bring up an unprecedented rise in the number of women running for these elections and seizing senior positions. (Al Diyar, February 18, 2019)

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Introducing new Lebanese diplomats to domestic gastronomy

15-2-2019

The Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Nightclubs & Pastry shops in Lebanon organized on February 13 a training course for economic attaches appointed by the foreign ministry to represent Lebanese economic interests around the world. The aim of the workshop is to introduce participants to the Syndicate and its role and work with the various ministries and public departments, as well as its achievements in the past few years. These include, its participation in the gastrodiplomacy (diplomacy of culinary arts) initiative launched during the Lebanese Diaspora Energy conference (LDE) in Beirut and Montreal with the view to promote the culture of the Lebanese cuisine. During the workshop, Syndicate members underlined the importance of Lebanese culinary at home and abroad as an attractive contributing factor to the sustainable tourism for GCC and foreign countries. Participants deliberated the standards and specifications that should be observed in the classification of a Lebanese eatery in expatriate countries. The economic attaches attending the workshop expressed willingness to coordinate with Lebanese emigrants to organize a Lebanese day at the various embassies and to market made-in-Lebanon products, as well as build bridges of cooperation with local exporters of rural, raw and food goods. (Al Diyar, February 14, 2019)

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Southern Craft Fair in Shama’, Tyre

15-2-2019

UNIFIL Civil Affairs’ Office and the Italian Battalian organized on February 13 a craft fair at the Shama’ headquarters, Tyre, with the participation of a number of charities and women associations from the Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts. During the event, UNIFIL Western Sector Commander, Italian General Diodato Abaniara, said the exhibition aims to build solid relations with the local communities and put the economic wheels in motion for the southern villages and towns. It attracts new clientele and helps support exhibiting charities and associations, he maintained, in addition to boosting interaction between local southern traditions and the multi cultures of the UNIFIL nations. (Al Diyar, February 15, 2019)
 

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Women protest outside Bkerki in support of a woman on hunger strike

15-2-2019

A number of women staged a sit-in yesterday in front of the Maronite Catholic Patriarchate in Bkerki in solidarity with Dolly Khabbaz who has been on hunger strike since February 12 protesting a religious court ruling depriving her of the custody of her children. To recall, the court ruling issued on January 15, gave the father the full custody of his two underage children, establishing the ‘invalidity of marriage’ (divorce as recognized by Christian communities). The alleged reason is ‘psychological’, in reference to the mother’s mental status, who, allegedly cannot commit to the basic duties of marriage, according to Law 818, Paragraph 3. On the text of the decision, Khabbaz attributed the reasons of ‘psychological nature’ to a female psychiatrist’s report that she has never seen or met in her life, stating that her attorney will appeal before the judge who released the verdict during 15 days. Khabbaz said she preferred to appeal in front of Bkerki itself, and refused to eat unless her boys were with her. She wanted to draw attention of the Patriarch to intervene directly on her behalf, as the issuance of a court ruling drags. According to Al Akhbar newspaper, Khabbaz who, until yesterday, was not able to meet Rai, addressed an open letter asking the Patriarch to repeal the decision himself. Meanwhile, Curial Bishop Hanna Alwan announced that Khabbaz ended her strike yesterday, noting that the only way to protest is to appeal the preliminary verdict, as Patriarch Rai by virtue of the law cannot abolish the rule. (Al Akhbar, Al Diyar, February 15, 2019)
 

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‘Your path; your decision’ women’s race at Beirut Port

15-2-2019

In collaboration with NCLW, the Beirut Marathon Association launched on Wednesday its 6th edition of the women’s race to be held on March 31st within the Port of Beirut. NCLW president, Claudine Aoun Rukuz, wondered on the occasion how many years and decades “do we need to recognize women as full citizens, and how much effort ought to be exercised by women themselves to claim an equal position in decision making with their male peers.”? The race’s slogan, ‘Your path; your decision’, Rukuz explained, is one of many initiatives targeting and inspiring women to draw their own dream path, while nothing should impede them to realize themselves. The law, she stressed, is the quickest path to justice, requiring the adaptation of unfair legislations and the enactment of new ones to the end of protecting the rights of women on par with men. For her part, Zeina Kiriakos, representing Saradar Bank, said the race is more than a sports event. It motivates the woman to overcome all roadblocks to reach her goals. (Al Mustaqbal, February 14, 2019)
 

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Livestock farmers in Hermel, beekeepers of Upper Metn demand end to foreign competition

13-2-2019

The anguish of Lebanese farmers continues as a result of the State’s slackness in helping them market their produce and end the fierce foreign competition. In its issue of today, An Nahar newspaper wrote that, due to the harsh economic conditions, Beqaa-Hermel livestock farmers are selling some of the cattle they depend on for their living to feed the remaining cattle. The main hitch or challenge is their inability to dispose of or market the fresh milk produced daily by scores of cows they breed on their farms. Cattle breeders, the newspaper said, are left with two bitter choices: either to sell milk at slash prices or sell the cattle to alleviate financial costs from accumulated debts. On the subject, the secretary of the agricultural unions in Lebanon, Ali Shuman, attributed the direct factors contributing to the slumping milk prices to the large amounts of imported milk powder entering Lebanon (13,000 tons in 2018 as compared to only 4,000 tons in the past). In addition, to licensing the entry of some 40,000 imported cheese packs, as well as smuggled made-in-Syria dairy products. On the other hand, a delegation from the Association of Beekeepers of Upper Metn visited on January 11 the member of the Democratic Gathering, MP Hadi Abul Hosn, to discuss problems facing the sector. Some of these problems are: imported bees, competition, lack of specialization, shrinking prairies, absence of agricultural extension and the arbitrary and unorganized import and use of toxic pesticides. The delegation asked Abul Hosn to work to develop a law that bans the importation of bees, apply taxes on imported honey, ban the import of toxic agricultural insecticides, promote and encourage the cultivation of aromatic crops and construct roads in the oak lands and forests to help in the provision. of spaces for bee colonies and to facilitate the extinguishing of fires. (An Nahar, L’Orient Le Jour, February 12, 13, 2019)

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