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Funds earmarked for summer festivals may not be spent this year

17-8-2018

In its issue of today, An Nahar spotlighted the many touristic festivities held this summer across the country. Nada Sardouk, the director general of the ministry, outlined three main types of cultural touristic activities, and they are: the first, are the seasonal events in the form of initiatives by municipalities, and they are not typical festivals; the second are in the form of shows and concerts by Arab and foreign performers organized by production companies around the year, and thirdly, the international festivals, namely Baalbek, Beitiddine and Byblos festivals. To note, since the beginning of this summer, our portal monitored about 11 festivals in the different Lebanese regions (for more information about the festivals, see links below), and they are mostly first class, according to Sardouk, who clarified that the rating of said events is the job of the ministry of interior. Elucidating on financial issues, including the high taxes on revenues which soared by nearly 33% this year, she disclosed that the parliament has turned down a request by festival organizers to exempt them from taxes on the pretext that the concerts’ ticket money can be a great financial resource for them. In conclusion, Sardouk revealed that no decree has been issued to date for the disbursement of allocations from the ministry to festivals and events, noting that the ministry annually earmarks roughly LBP 4 billion to sponsor such activities, with a part allocated to local events in the different Lebanese regions. (An Nahar, August 17, 2018) 
 

Previous related news:
Summer festivals in Habbariyeh and Dhur Shuwayer
Qartaba Festival kicks off August 25
Summery festivals in Sawfar, Qubayat

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Gender discrimination: Girls school sports in underground halls

17-8-2018

Al Akhbar published a feature on sports classes at schools drawing attention to a group of female students who spend the class in a hall in the basement, away from their male peers. The sport hall where the female students are forced to stay during the sports classes, do not look like a playground, Al Akhbar wrote. It is not originally a play area, as the concrete floor is not fit for jogging, which could expose students to permanent injuries. The view is not fitting for students who can feel they are besieged and delimited, the newspaper said. The separation in sports classes is enforced by religious rules, which prohibit coeducation in physical training, as is the case in general high school classes, according to Al Akhbar. Besides, such regulations which are considered standard and normal for the administration of an Islamic school in the southern suburbs of Beirut, are unwelcome by the female students themselves. The separation of boys and girls in PE classes has sparked a row between the administration and the students, Al Akhbar said, explaining that the separation for religious reasons reflects a growing religious culture in society at the cost of civil education. Some of the female students the newspaper spoke to criticized the stereotyping of girls, asking, “Is soccer exclusive to boys and men?”. For his part, the head of the Sports and Scout Activities Unit at the ministry of education, Mazen Qubeisi, pointed out that the separation is mainly due to physiological reasons at certain age groups. (for more on the article, kindly visit the link below: https://goo.gl/oK7trz). (Al Akhbar, August 17, 2018)

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Cannabis legalization: Concerns in Beqaa over licensing and profit distribution

16-8-2018

Al Diyar newspaper reflected in an article the fears and concerns in Beqaa on the fate of the cannabis after recent calls for legalization of the crop, given the reluctant and supporting stances to the issue. Quoting sources close to large farmers, heads of agricultural coops and regional clans, Al Diyar wrote that the marijuana has been widely grown in the area come rain or shine not requiring any support or decree to legalize it. The newspaper voiced speculations about the purpose behind its regulation and concern over the fate of the crop in the Beqaa region, especially with the mounting rumors of the cancellation of 700 to 800 licenses and confining the process in the Beqaa area while restricting the tobacco to the South. The newspaper anticipated that the marijuana licenses will be released in accordance with the rules regulating the tobacco and tombac licenses (c.f : https://bit.ly/2nHtZ1S), but wondered about potential beneficiaries, be them the land proprietors or farmers. On the subject, Abbas Asadallah Shams, stressed on behalf of the local clans, that ordinary farmers should be the primary beneficiaries, referring to what’s been circulated about the limited number of licenses and the modest profit shares allocated to farmers, which, he warned, encourages area residents to keep their mafia work. For his part, the Beqaa Farmers Union head, Ibrahim Tarshishi, pointed out that the Union backs the legalization of marijuana if it is controlled by the State only, demanding the setting up of a special entity to fully run and manage the delivery of supplies. He said the Union is against the cultivation of thousands of dunums which might cause harm to the agricultural sector on a whole, and expressed fear that the legalization could be a compromise involving the preferential distribution of shares among political parties. (Al Diyar, August 13, 2018)

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Ethiopian domestic worker in Ballooneh commits suicide

16-8-2018

The local media broadcasted yesterday the news of the fall and death of an Ethiopian MWDW (in her thirties) from the third floor of an apartment building in the Keserwan town of Ballooneh. As usual, the news came within the context of common security news, reporting that the police arrived at the scene of the incident for investigation and the victim’s body was examined by a forensic expert and rushed to the Baabda Government Hospital. To recall, our portal has monitored the suicide of an Ethiopian migrant domestic worker in the southern town of Abba the beginning of this year, and reported four suicide incidents by MWDWs during the past year ( c.f:https://goo.gl/2unzEs)/ (Al Mustaqbal, August 15, 2018)

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My Nationality is a Right for Me and My Family cooperation with Democratic Gathering

16-8-2018

A delegation from My Nationality Is A Right For Me And My Family Campaign visited on Monday the Democratic Gathering MP Hadi Abul Hassan to coordinate and cooperate during the coming period in view of the draft bill submitted by the Gathering to the Legislature to this effect (c.f: https://bit.ly/2MhluJH). The meeting tackled various legal implications of said proposal, as well as the current arguments against adjusting the nationality law and discussed facts that disprove them and impede the ratification of the suggested bill. Both sides agreed on a number of steps, notably monitoring the stances of the different political parties and parliamentary blocs to motivate them to vote in favor of the proposal. During the meeting, Abul Hassan said it is inadmissible that a mother who keeps her baby in her womb for nine months is separated from him/her by nationality after his/her birth as the child becomes a foreigner. Reiterating his refusal and denunciation of the recent naturalization decree, Abul Hassan disclosed that the amendment submitted on behalf of his bloc will be referred to the Administrative and Justice Committee. The Gathering is ready to defend this right, Abul Hassan stated, concluding that justice shall prevail based on giving the right to those who really deserves it.

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Festivals boost tourism which lost half-a million visitors

16-8-2018

The head of the tourism committee at the Economic and Social Council, Wadi’ Kanaan, confirmed that the month of June has seen a surge in the number of Arab visitors to the country by 20% and of Europeans by 10% compared to last year, according to tourism ministry figures. The hotel occupancy rate has risen by 8% to 10% against last year, Kenaan told Al Mustaqbal, noting that the festivals held in the different Lebanese regions have been successful and contributed immensely to the rural tourism industry. The Lebanese expatriate, he said, was again a key player in the equation. Kenaan stressed that the reopening of Nassib Crossing will positively impact on trade and tourism, especially that Lebanon lost some 500,000 visitors due to the Syrian crisis. Tourism ministry statistics put the total number of incoming visitors at 262,779 persons during last July, up by 6.13% from the same period of the past year, with Europeans making nearly 38.07% during July, Arabs 24.24% and 22.41% visitors from the Americas. In the latest summer festivities, the tourism minister in the caretaker government, Avedis Guidandian, at the invitation of Al Safa Touristic Investment Group, inaugurated on Monday the newly refurbished Grand Nabeh el Safa Casino restaurant. On the occasion, the general manager of the Group owner of the restaurant, Ghassan Naaman, said the renovation of a prominent touristic establishment shall have its positive impact on the restoration and development of similar touristic businesses in the area. Guidanian for his part, said a touristic region is excluded only if it is overlooked by its own people. (Al Mustaqbal, August 14, 15, 2018)

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MoU to strengthen the role of women in industry

14-8-2018

The Association of Lebanese Industrialists, represented by its president, Fadi Gemmayel, and the Women Leaders Council of Lebanon, represented by its president, Madiha Arslan, signed yesterday an MoU which aims at strengthening the role of women in the industrial sector and secure their access to strategic decision making. The MoU also includes provisions for the creation of a joint and effective support group in order to influence public opinion to that effect in addition to organizing special workshops for women executives as well as women working in the industrial sector. Both concerned parties seek to support the mainstreaming of Lebanese women in in the job market as well as providing them with opportunities as employers, executives and employees on the sector. Gemayel further noted that this MoU is guided by the association’s deep belief in the importance of women’s role in society and the need to strengthen this role through providing various forms of support to women and helping them engage with various economic sectors especially the industry. Arslan for her part hoped that the MoU will be the basis for strengthening the role of women in the industrial sector. (Al Mustaqbal, August 14th 2018 )

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Tunisian President refers the gender equality inheritance law to parliament

14-8-2018

Tunisian President, Beji Caid Essebsi, forwarded the COLIBE law reform proposal to the Tunisian Parliament.  The said proposal includes a number of relatively controversial clauses namely equality in inheritance rights as well as individual freedoms.  Simultaneously, feminist and secular movements demonstrated and called for full gender equality and for the ratification of the reformed family law bill.  According to Al Hayat newspaper, President Essebsi made a public statement from Carthage palace yesterday, in commemoration of Tunisian Women’s National Day and the 62nd anniversary of the drafting of the Tunisian Personal status law.  In his address, Essebsi confirmed that the requested reforms do not go against the will of those individuals who wish to apply Islamic Sharia law.  Essebsi further indicated that gender equality in inheritance is in line with the provisions of the Tunisian Constitution as well as the characteristics of a civil state.  Essebsi added that the “report issued by COLIBE is not a law per se but rather an intellectual, ethical and technical effort which can be used as a reference”.  To be noted that these developments brought back divisions in the public space where feminist and secular demonstrators took to the street in response to the actions of those against gender equality in inheritance laws and who had demonstrated last Saturday in front of the parliament”. (Al Hayat, August 14th 2018)
 

Previous related news:
Gender equality in inheritance in Tunisia
Tunisia defers debate on gender equality in inheritance
Gender equality in inheritance rifts Islamists
Tunisian president’s call for gender equality questioned
Call for gender equality in inheritance in Tunisia steers controversy
 

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May Tabbal, Future Movement activist, bestowed the “Exemplary Youth Award”

14-8-2018

The President of the Arab Youth Council for Comprehensive Development at the League of Arab States, Dr. Mushira Abou Ghali, honored the coordinator of the Women sector at the Future Movement, May Tabbal, and bestowed her with the “Exemplary Youth Award”. This move is in recognition of Tabbal’s efforst in advocating for women and youth issues. This award was granted during the International Youth Day celebration held yesterday in Cairo. The slogan of the event was “Our Strength is in our Unity in promoting citizenship, development and peace”. The said event was attended by 150 young women and men representing 20 Arab states. To be noted that the Arab Youth Council launched this celebration as a pillar of its programme entitled “Arab Youth for positive movement… citizenship… development .. peace” and which kicked off last June and will extend over a year period along with other related initiatives( Al Mustaqbal 14 August 2018)

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Touch and Fe-Male partner on rural women empowerment

13-8-2018

The leading mobile operator in Lebanon, Touch, managed by Zayn, announced in a statement on Friday that its partnering with Fe-Male association has resulted in the launch of a joint venture for women and girls’ empowerment in the Bekaa and Akkar regions. The partnership, the statement said, is part of the Positive Touch for sustainable development program which provides a 9-month local training, covering part-time courses focusing on the introduction of ICT related topics, such as, computer literary, use of smartphones and social media networks. Female beneficiaries are expected to receive education on cybercrimes and how to deal with them. In addition, the program includes awareness sessions on the rights of women, building action plans, and mentoring on entrepreneurship, leadership, public speaking, decision-making and the capacity to express oneself confidently. The participants will benefit as well from intensive workshops aimed to improve their language skills, particularly in English. The Touch statement concluded by saying that because generally women in rural areas are totally incognizant of their rights, they will be trained to think critically, become leaders in their communities and improve their skills in motivating decision-making and communication. (Al Mustaqbal, August 11, 2018)

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