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Saudi Shura bans marriage of girls under 15 years

14-1-2019

The Saudi Shura Council approved on Wednesday a draft bill banning the marriage of girls under 15 years and linking the decision in marriage contracts for those under 18, male or female, to the competent court. According to Ukaz newspaper, 79 members voted in favor of the ban, while a total of 103 members agreed that restrictions should be observed for the marriage of minors under the age of 18. Some of these restrictions adopted by the Shura Council require: the consent of the girl and her mother; submission of a medical report from a competent party confirming the soundness of the bride’s physical and mental conditions, and that the groom’s age be not more than twice the age of his future bride. On the legislation, Shura Council member, Latifa Shaalan, described it as a good step forward that was not easy to reach. For her part, UK-based feminist academic researcher, Arij Jouhani, said it is promising, but added that the challenge remains in publishing similar decisions if ratified by a royal decree in such that they be accepted by the different regions of the Kingdom. In Lebanon, MP Roula Tabsh stated that the Saudi resolution is a necessary step towards the protection of girls from violence and exploitation. Recalling, that the Saudi Shura has no legislative power, but it submits proposals to the King, that are often welcomed locally. (Al Diyar, January 13, 2019)

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Mashreq Conference on women’s economic empowerment

14-1-2019

Under the patronage of premier Saad Hariri and with the attendance of representatives of the governments of Jordan and Iraq, heads of international organizations and ministers, as well as public sector and civil society reps, Lebanon will host the Mashreq Conference on Women’s Economic Empowerment on January 19, 2019. The conference is expected to discuss ways to empower women and girls to play a key role in the promotion of more comprehensive institutions, sound policies and effective development results, according to Hariri’s Press Office. Noting, that while Middle East countries have made significant progress in women’s access to in education and health, yet challenges continue to exist in terms of economic prospects, voting and representation of women. The conference aims to elevate the dialogue and awareness on the importance and benefits of enhanced economic participation of women and create a space for the governments of Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, in collaboration with the private sector, civil society and development partners to share their commitments to this agenda. The World Bank, IFC and the Government of Canada seek to support Mashreq governments in their efforts to enhance women’s economic empowerment as an incentive to achieve more inclusive, sustainable and peaceful societies, where economic growth benefits everyone. (Al Mustaqbal, January, 2019)

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Parliamentary committee for the amendment of domestic violence law

11-1-2019

The joint parliamentary committees, headed by Deputy Speaker, Elie Ferzli, formed yesterday a subcommittee to study a proposed amendment of the Law No. 293/2014 on the Protection of Women and Family Members from Domestic Violence. The subcommittee is led by MP Samir Jisr with the membership of Paula Yacoubian, Shamel Rukuz, Nawaf Mousawi, Ali Bazzi, Elias Hankash, Bilal Abdallah, Dima Jamali, Fouad Makhzoumi and Michel Mouawad. Recalling, that on November 26, 2018, which coincidesg with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 10 lawmakers submitted a draft bill to the Legislature aimed to amend the above law (https://goo.gl/CmiBp7). (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, January 11, 2019)
 


Related news: 
Amendments to reinforce domestic violence law in Lebanon
Campaign to raise age of marriage, proposal to amend law on domestic violence
 

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Bankmed financially supports seven associations

11-1-2019

Bankmed released its gift exchange program at the end of each year to 7 Lebanese associations, in the form of USD 30,000 for each, USD 210,000 in total. The bank announcement stated that this step is in line with Bankmed’s community support principles within the framework of its CSR initiatives focusing on health and social programs. The beneficiaries are associations distributed across Lebanon whose goal is to address social, health, educational and even cultural challenges and problems through provision of necessary aid to underprivileged households, orphans and elderly communities, in addition to empowering women and persons with special needs. The targeted associations are: Orphan Welfare Society- Saida, Dar al Ajaza al Islamia, Ajialouna, Oum el Nour, Mar Mansour Association, Ahlouna Association and Institut de Reeducation Audio-Phonetique (IRAP). (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, January 11, 2019)

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SmartEx 2019 in Beirut next April

11-1-2019

The organizers of the leading international technology exhibition, SmartEx, announced on Tuesday that the upcoming 2019 event will be held on April 10 until April 13 and is expected to deliver a bigger and better innovative platform for the IT industry in the region. SmartEx comprises hundreds of international and local brands representing different aspects of the technology sector, including, security, administrative information systems, automation, retail e-commerce, communications, accounting technology, education technology and many others. On the sideline, the exhibition will host several free educational workshops and seminars. Jason Rizk, the executive director of MICE Lebanon explained that the vision of the organizing firm is to re-establish Lebanon as a technology hub in the region through SmartEx. Year after year, he said, the expo provides an annual meeting venue for the industry and professionals allowing them to exchange ideas and learn about the state-of-the-art trends in the sector. (Al Mustaqbal, January 9, 2019)

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Al Quds medal to Nadia Lotfi

11-1-2019

During a visit to her at the Maadi Military Hospital in Cairo, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas bestowed the Al Quds medal to Egyptian actress Nadia Lotfi in recognition of her illustrious career in service of the Arab drama and cinema industry. Abbas congratulated Lotfi on her birthday which she celebrated few days ago, voicing his deep appreciation for her artistic contribution to the Arab world. In turn, Lotfi welcomed the medal stating that it is the sweetest gift she has received on this special day, in addition to the honoring by the Egyptian ministry of culture. (Al Diyar, January 8, 2019)

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Doctor sexually harasses his patient while in hospital

10-1-2019

In the latest incidents of violence against women, a female patient sued the anesthetist after being discharged from the hospital for sexually harassing her. She said that she woke up from anesthesia after the surgery to find the anesthesia physician harassing her believing she was still sedated. The doctor during investigation denied the plaintiff’s claim, pointing out that he was threatened by the patient to harm his reputation. Hence, and to avoid slander, he agreed to pay her USD 5,000 for a felony he claimed he didn’t commit. On the subject, Al Mustaqbal newspaper reported that the indictment requesting referral of the defendant to the Criminal Court for trial, possibly assumes that the physician has committed the act of harassment. The indictment, to recall, was based on a statement by the claimant during a conversation with her attorney when she mentioned that the anesthetist agreed to pay the sum to settle the case outside the court and on the attitude of the nurse who did not confirm that the defendant did not visit the patient’s room while she was not there. (Al Mustaqbal, January 4, 2019)

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Mango shipment seized at Beirut Airport

10-1-2019

As part of the food safety campaign, the minister of agriculture in the caretaker government, Ghazi Zeiater, announced yesterday that mangos coming from Ghana and infested with insects were seized at Beirut International Airport. Zeiater pointed out that the insect, which can only be detected after opening the fruit, is not harmful but can infest other crops. Zeiater pressed for collaboration between the various concerned departments, including the customs and the health ministry quarantine, stressing that the shipment will be returned to Ghana. It is a matter of ethics, he said, warning, “We don’t want people to bring the dirt of the world here.” Imports are processed in accordance with plant health inspection standards and certifications from the country of origin, the minister maintained. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, January 10, 2019)

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Joanna Dabbas’s delights & hospitality in Sursock

10-1-2019

In its edition of today, L’Orient Le Jour spotlighted the career path of Joanna Dabbas, who started the Sursock Museum Resto back in 2015 and will soon launch her own catering service, ‘The New Kitchen by Joanna’. The Sursock Resto offers a diverse range of Lebanese dishes renovated by Dabbas herself, in addition to live oriental music played by a band in addition to activities for children. Dabbas told L’Orient Le Jour reporter that she wanted to keep the level and improve constantly, pointing out that the opening of the restaurant was a very risky adventure in the beginning, but that she persevered and was determined to carry on. Dabbas said it is important to be able to accept feedback and complaints from customers to enhance services. Opening her own eatery was a childhood fascination, she said, noting that she ventured into the industry belated. Dabbas recalled that she started cooking from home and later in 2012 joined the Kitsch concept kitchen in Gemmayze but wanted to be on her own, so she started the Sursock Museum Resto. Besides daily management chores, Dabbas has a passion for agriculture, and in fact she runs the land owned by her father, where she plants, picks and sells organic products to Souk el Tayyeb and some restaurants under the label Joanna’s Fresh Greens. (L’Orient Le Jour, January 10, 2019)

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‘Your small project’ in Tripoli

10-1-2019

In collaboration with the Arab Planning Institute (API) and Dar al Ilm lil Malayeen, Al Azm wal Saade Association organized yesterday a series of training activities in Tripoli, entitled, ‘Your project: from idea to planning’. Lecturing at the workshop, were API director for SMEs, Ihab Moukabala, and the former Egyptian minister of planning, Ashraf Arabi. The workshop addressed several topics, notably: entrepreneurship, innovation and small enterprises in terms of concept, characteristics, significance, course of action and resources of innovation from the idea to the market, in addition to an introduction to small enterprises and the differences of terminology and definitions involved. Lecturers also outlined the course of development of a small enterprise from an idea to implementation and the various obstacles it encounters as well as ways to overcome them, up to the marketing and end product phases. In conclusion, the presenters stressed the importance of entrepreneurship in today’s world, as compared to the routine life of a job, pressing for a sound and healthy environment for the growth of startups. (Al Diyar, January 10, 2019)

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