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French support for strengthening municipal capacities

4-12-2018

A training workshop was held on Friday under the title, ‘Dialogue and consultation of local development projects’ with the participation of social activists and representatives of the Federations of the Municipalities of Sahl, Qalaa and Hasbani as well as the municipalities of Tabnin and Brital. The 2-day activity aimed at building and strengthening the capacities of Lebanese municipalities, training local development officers and laying the groundwork for sustainable local development. To note, ‘Promoting the capacities of Lebanese Municipalities and provision of training in local development 2016-2018’ program was implemented in partnership with the committee of Lebanese mayors with the technical support of the French National Center for the Training of Local Authority Personnel and financial funding from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. During the workshop, trainer Pierre Falfali explained the goals, methodology, axes and techniques of dialogue and consultation within working groups, as well as, the study of societal needs and how to determine the identity of a development undertaking and the role of key players in civil society before, during and after the project. (Al Mustaqbal, December 3, 2018)

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Syrian women @ war break stereotypes

3-12-2018

Yezidi women survivors of ISIS in Syria and Iraq have sued the French cement company, Lafarge, which is accused of financing the terrorist organisation.  The lawyers acting on behalf of the plaintiffs noted that as civil parties in the court case, they are accusing Lafarge in June 2018 of participating in crimes against humanity and in financing a terrorist organisation indicating that this is a rare occurrence in the world of business.  Attorney for the Yezidi women, Amal Clooney, said in a statement that the victims will receive fair compensations.  In a related vein, Al Diyar highlighted in its issue of today the story of Nujeen Mustapha, the 19 year old Kurdish woman from Kobani in Northern Syria who was chosen amongst the BBC list of the 100 most influential women in the world.  According to the newspaper, Mustapha was chosen following the release of her compelling memoirs in which she tells her story of her journey on a wheelchair from Syria to Germany.  Moreover, Mustapha wrote her book with herself taught English thus becoming a role model of power and will as well as an inspiration for millions.  (Moustapha's story can be accessed in Arabic via https://goo.gl/fLntYq).  On another vein, 30 women officers graduated from military school in Syria, according to the school commander, General Victoria Youssef Ibrahim, the academy provides military training to women who desire to defend their country as men. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Hayat - December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.2018)
 

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Empowering Syrian women to face the tragedy of war
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Mooneh bazaar to strengthen women's role in sustainable rural development

3-12-2018

The Chamber of Commerce in Saida and South Lebanon inaugurated jointly with UNDP an exhibition of home made traditional Mooneh and handicraft. The event which was held on December 1st, included more than 100 organisations involved in the production of Mooneh and handicrafts in Saida and South Lebanon. The said event will go on until December 4th and is under the auspices of the Minister of Economy and Trade, Raed Khouri, represented by DG Alia Abbas. In her keynote address, Abbas said that this exhibition is key in supporting rural producers and in introducing their products to consumers. She also added that such activities invigorate the economy especially in rural areas especially by bridging the gap between producers and consumers and supporting farmers in staying in their land. Abbas also highlighted the importance of such initiatives in strengthening the role of women in sustainable rural development via linking the private and public sectors as well as protecting the role of women in the management of natural resources. According to Abbas, women's economic empowerment should be a priority of policies and programmes seeking to support agricultural development as well as the economy. Abbas finally said that this is further justified by the fact that women's agricultural productions are a key catalyst of the economy as well as a main source of livelihoods in rural areas. Ad Dyar, Al Mustaqbal, December 2nd, 2017)

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"Breaking all barriers" to condemn discrimination and gender inequality

3-12-2018

UNDP's programme to support elections (funded by the EU) and Women in Front organised on November 30th an art exhibition entitled “Breaking all Barriers”. The exhibition was hosted in Beyt Beyrouth Sodeco, and included original works by 30 artists who used their talents to take a stand against discrimination and gender inequality and showcase the power of women who challenged difficulties and reached decision making positions in public life. The exhibition also sought to challenge gender stereotypes and misinformation around these. The event was held under the auspices of the Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, and kicked off with a keynote address by the EU ambassador to Lebanon, Kristina Lassen, who noted that women's political participation in Lebanon remains very low. Lassen also added that the new electoral laws failed to take into consideration the need to improve women's participation especially since there were only 86 women candidates of whom, only 6 won. Lassen demanded a women quota in politics hoping that the new upcoming cabinet will include women in key position such as the ministries of defense and finance. The UN representative to Lebanon, Philipe Lazzarini, noted for his part that Lebanon's society is male dominated as men have overwhelming economic, political and social power despite the fact that half of the university graduates are women. Lazzarini hoped that obstacles to women's participation in politics will soon be addressed especially through the reform of discriminatory laws. (Al Mustaqbal, December 1st 2018)

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Awareness raising on sexual harassment and rape in Sh7eem

3-12-2018

"Together for Sh7im" association organised on November 25th an awareness raising seminar on sexual harassment and rape at its premises in the village. The event was attended by local personalities and key individuals. Forensic expert Jinan al Khatib presented a definition of sexual harassment and rape as well as its causes and various forms it takes. Al Khatib highlighted the indications that victims would exhibit whether they are women, children or people with special needs. Al Khatib further discussed material evidence that can be found in such crimes and how to preserve these for the sake of pursuing an investigation. She also reiterated the role of forensic technology which seeks to aid in unmasking perpetrators. The session ended with a Q&A with the audience. (Al Mustaqbal, December 1st, 2018)

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“Ginwar”, a women only village in Syria

30-11-2018

A women only village called Ginwar was inaugurated in North Syria on the occasion of the 16 days campaign to counter violence against women. The village is located in the Derbassyeh region in the Caza of Hassakeh and has been in preparation over the last two years. According to Rommel Haffet, the woman responsible for this initiative, the village was inaugurated as a result of the humongous efforts exerted by the women themselves. She further added that the village is not intended for Kurdish women only but will host any woman wishing to live there. Ginwar is equipped with all needed services and includes 20 dwellings for women coming from shadadi, Tal tamr, Ain Al Arab. Most women are either widows, divorced or have lost their husbands in various ways. The village also includes a medical facility where women have secured a variety of medicinal herbs, as well as a kindergarten and a 200 sheep owned and used by women. Haffet noted that men can visit their women relatives in the village but are not allowed to live there. (Al Diyar, 30 November 2018)

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Gender pay gap in the US

30-11-2018

A new study entitled “the job market is still for men” highlighted that women in the US received half of men’s income over a 15 year span taking into consideration the interruption in women’s career because of reproductive and care work. According to this study, the gender pay gap is wider than what is expected. To note that this study was carried out between 2001 and 2015. The Institute for Women’s Policy Studies in DC noted that, overall, women earn 51% less than men including time women spend without earning income. The president of the centre, Heidi Hartman, who participated in the study noted in a statement that the metric used to describe the gender pay gap, namely 80 cent for every dollar, is not accurate because of the various professional diversity and what is known as “women’s choices”. Hartman further added that that their “analysis showed that they have underestimated the gender pay gap in the job market”. The study noted that what is likely to lessen the gender pay gap is to ensure diversity in women’s employment as well as encourage men to do more unpaid care work as well as instating strict criteria against the gender pay gap.(Al Diyar, 30 November 2018)

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Equality in inheritance law in Tunisia criticized by Muslim clergy

30-11-2018

Following the Cabinet endorsement of the new family law which includes provisions for equality in inheritance (https://goo.gl/Dmbyts),the secretary general of the national coalition of Islamic scholars, Ali Korra Daghi criticized in a twitter the demand for gender equality in inheritance. Daghi noted that equality in inheritance does not always result in justice.  Daghi used the verse from the Coran saying “A male shall inherit twice as much as a female”and reiterated that this is a straightforward diktat for all Muslims.   He further added that discussing this matter in the first country witnessing the Arab Spring is a humiliation to the revolutionaries who cause the downfall of Ben Ali and brought about the current president!  Overall, Tunisian citizens had various opinions regarding the new law as some felt that it safeguarded equality whilst others felt that it challenges Islamic sharia law.  (Al Diyar, 30 November 2018)
 

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Australian and Canadian Ambassadors support campaigns against gender based violence

29-11-2018

Within the framework of the 16 days campaign to combat violence against women, the Australian Ambassador to Lebanon, Rebekah Grindlay, and her Canadian counterpart, Emmanuelle Lamoureux, visited a community centre in the North and met with women who benefited from training workshops organized by the International Medical Committee as well as by Plan International. During her visit, Lamoureux noted that gender inequality is the main cause of gender based violence and insisted that women and men should work together to combat GBV and transform societal norms and traditions which reproduce inequality and suppress the voices of victims. Rebekah grindlay for her part noted that challenging violence against women is a priority for both Australia and Canada at the local and international levels. To be noted that IMC and Plan International have implemented more than 15700 session to provide advice on gender based violence to vulnerable women and girls as well as men and boys since January 2017. In addition, 20400 people have participated in awareness raising sessions on gender based violence according to a statement by both embassies who are funding this initiative. (Al Mustakbal, 29 November 2018)

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Ogassapian also criticizes condoning violence against women

29-11-2018

The Minister of State for Women’s Affairs in the caretaker government, Jean Ogassapian, issued a statement yesterday expressing his regrets with the turn of events related to the murderer of domestic violence victim, Manal Assi as the matter has now become a media circus. The statement was made in relation to a talk show aired on MTV on November 27th and which hosted Assi’s murderer, her husband Mohammad Nhayli. Nhayli was given a platform to rant about his wife’s infidelity to justify his heinous crime. A reminder that Assi lost her life in February 2014 following physical assaults by her husband. The judiciary tried to mitigate the verdict but the court of cassation issued on November 2017 a verdict of capital punishment reduced to hard labour for 18 years (c.f. ly/2E4TFQq). Ogassapian lamented that MTV chose to air this show on the occasion of the 16 days campaign against violence against women. He further called on the national council for media and information to act against a culture that condones violence against women in the media and to be aware of the negative impact that such shows have in normalizing violence against women in society. (L’orient le Jour, 29 October 2018)

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