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First anniversary of Lebanese Ministry for women’s affairs: No tangible achievements yet!

12-12-2017

With the closing of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, the minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, outlined in a press conference yesterday his ministry’s accomplishments in support of Lebanese women and girls. This, he said, includes the launch of alliances, advocacy campaigns, research, draft laws and awareness raising in schools and universities. Ogassapian stressed that the ministry sought to create a momentum to help keep women and their cause vibrant on the social and political levels to the end of achieving complete gender equality and transforming the prevailing male chauvinist mindset. Debating sensitive issues, like sexual harassment, violence against women, incest and underage marriage is no longer an untouchable taboo and is open to in-depth discussion, Ogasspian stated. After one year in office, the key challenge remains how to secure a larger and unrestrained representation of women in constitutional institutions, namely the Legislature and the Cabinet, the minister added. In conclusion, he emphasized the responsibility of women themselves to effectively respond to the opportunities when they come and demonstrate determination and will to reach decision-making positions, pointing to political parties as an ideal platform to realize this. (For the complete achievements of the ministry in arabic, kindly visit the following link :http://alkalimaonline.com/Newsdet.aspx?id=239909). (An Nahar, Al Diyar, December 12, 2017)  

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Saudis ban media that denigrates women

12-12-2017

The Saudi minister of culture and information, Awwad Saleh Awwad issued last week a directive “banning the broadcasting of any soaps or programs that contain explicit or implicit insult to Saudi women or to any other category of society”. The ministry warned in an official statement the use of the Kingdom’s name in titles promoting works that are not consistent with Saudi values and ethical standards as stipulated by the information policy. The statement also stressed that any channel that airs works violating said policies will be penalized in line with regulations. According to the new instructions, the decision states that it is obligatory for the media to ensure a positive content in all works of art and TV programs in such that they promote moral values, teach constructive principles and concepts and elevate people’s artistic taste. To note, the above decision came after a wave of disappointment and dissent in the social media following the announcement of the start of shooting the series “Saudi Women” which Saudi activists dubbed as harmful to the image of the Saudi woman. (AL Diyar, December 10, 2017)

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Lebanese NOC supports women in sports

12-12-2017

The Women & Sport - Lebanese National Olympic Committee (NOC) participated last Friday in the first scientific conference on physical culture and physical education organized by the General Directorate of State Security in partnership with the Arab Federation of Physical Culture- Physical Education. On the occasion, Assi, executive committee member and head of the women’s committee, outlined the role, goals and programs of the NOC and challenges facing Lebanese sports in general and the Olympic movement in particular. She pointed out to the results achieved by the NOC at the administrative and technical levels, noting the work plan drawn by the Committee aimed at promoting the presence of women in leadership positions in sports clubs and unions both administratively and technically based on and stimulated by the results of sports competitions here and abroad. In conclusion, Assi noticed the woman’s proficiency in all tasks assigned to her in sports, stressing a greater potential if given the appropriate social and scientific resources and support packages. (AL Mustaqbal, December 12, 2017)

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Ezzedine celebrates women’s empowerment and Hariri stands for women’s rights

11-12-2017

The minister of state for administrative development, Dr. Inaya Ezzedine, sponsored on Friday a graduation ceremony for women who completed training sessions on the ‘safety of food processing’. The activity comes as part of ‘Enhancing the economic situation of Lebanese women in the South’ project implemented by the Lebanon Family Planning Association for Development & Family Empowerment (LFPADE) funded by UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality. Ezzedine underlined on the occasion the significance of women’s empowerment at the moment, pointing out that today’s event brings together essential components leading to empowerment. “We are amidst an evolving training process targeting women aimed to improve their economic status in the area of food processing safety,” the minister said. This means involvement in a sustainable development process seeking, among its prime goals, to expand choices for men and women and offer them equal opportunities, particularly at the economic level so as to ensure the participation of economically-empowered females in making development-related decisions, the minister added. Ezzedine stressed her commitment to the developmental and supportive role of the State which she said “we want to see as the anchor for all its citizens”. On the other hand, prime minister Saad Hariri said in a tweet that, out of his commitment to human rights causes, primarily women, he pledges to put into effect all the country’s international obligations. This includes as he said, combating violence against women, and issuing a decree enforcing and financing the formation of an independent national human rights commission, consisting of a committee for the prevention of torture. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, December 9, 11, 2017)

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BLC honors women and launches a new technology award

11-12-2017

The BLC Bank organized last week its annual Brilliant Lebanese Awards (BLA) event in support of ground-breaking initiatives, particularly targeting women and SME entrepreneurships. The winners for this year’s competition were George el Aily (Spectronite, telecom company) for the category of SMEs, and Nada Ghazal (Nada G) for women entrepreneurs. Each laureate reportedly received a USD 60000 cash prize. The jury selected the winners based on the following criteria: financial performance of the company (30%), innovation (30%), sustainability and growth potential (25%) and social responsibility (15%). Jury members represented Banque du Liban, LAU, Endeavor, Kafalat, IFC, Berytech and the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB). BLC vice president and general manager, Nadim Kassar, seized the opportunity to announce a new technology award to be launched next year. On the other hand, Al Akhbar newspaper wrote that during the Orientation Fair organized by the Islamic Center Association for Guidance and Higher Education at the Lebanese University campus in Hadath area many college-bound students (7 out of 10 students) said they have decided to major in business administration. It is unfair to blame students alone and ignore long years of disorientation to this effect, Al Akhbar said. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Akhbar, December 9, 11, 2017)

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Badaro Magical Christmas to promote tourism

11-12-2017

Within its Christmas festivities for this year, the Badaro Traders Committee kicked off the Badaro Magical Christmas (Badaro main street, December 9-10) inaugurating the holiday season. The aim of the event is to spread joy, strengthen relations among residents of this Beiruti neighborhood and promote touristic institutions as well as social, commercial and economic establishments, a statement by the BTC said. The event included a food court and a kids’ area. The minister of tourism, Avedis Guidanian, toured the venue’s different sections accompanied by an ISF cavalry and music squads and a cycling parade. One part of the street ‘the art street’ was dedicated to art, and hosted some 50 artists who showcased their paintings or sketched live in front of passers-by. (Al Diyar, December 9, 2017)

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A model legislation to combat violence against Arab women

11-12-2017

At the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation launched on Saturday ‘the model legislation to combat violence against women and girls in Arab states’. The launch was made during a regional conference in Beirut under the patronage of justice minister Salim Jreisati and the participation of the president of the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), Claudine Aoun Rukuz. On the occasion, Kafa director, Zoya Rouhana stressed that the Arab region is in constant war against women, under various titles, like direct violence, outdated traditional and tribal laws, marriage of underage girls, polygamy and honor crimes. Rouhana drew attention to gender-based stereotypes and discrimination against women in legislations, notably seen in the personal status laws and the penal codes as well as in their marginalization in the public life. For her part, Rukuz pointed out that the adoption of a unified Arab draft to fight violence against women and girls is inevitable and key. However, the protection of women in the Arab region should not be limited to the ratification of relevant laws, but requires judges and emissaries of justice to apply such laws and provisions, Rukuz added. Jreisati said that the launch of the model draft bill aims to protect women from violence practiced against them in the Arab societies. (Al Mustaqbal, December 11, 2017)

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The national alliance to protect children from early marriage

8-12-2017

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering (LWDG) yesterday launched the National Alliance for the Protection of Children from Early Marriage, in the presence of the minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian and the chief of the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), Claudine Aoun Rukuz. On the occasion, LWDG president, Leila Mroweh, said the Alliance embraces around 54 institutions and local and international NGOs active in the field of human, children and women’s rights, in addition to the backing of the ministry and NCLW. The alliance is born out of a deep conviction in the rights of women for equality, and in the State as the only entity that ensures the protection and rights of Lebanese citizens, both men and women, and is intended to legitimize the protection of children under 18 years from early marriage, Mroweh stated. She stressed the need to unify all efforts to pressure officials to adopt and apply across the country the law that sets the age of marriage at 18 years. Similarly, Ogassapian maintained that any relevant debate in the Legislature should stem from and relate to cases of girls who experienced and endured the repercussions of underage marriage. Rukuz for her part, lamented the fact that “in Lebanon, which we perceive as a guarantor and guardian of human rights, we still need to form an alliance to prevent early marriage,” as she put it. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, December 8, 2017)

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Field training in Beqaa on water saving technologies

8-12-2017

As part of its Lebanon Water Project (LWP), and in partnership with private sector agriculture companies, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched field days targeting corn and potato farmers in the Beqaa region. The activity is aimed to offer local farmers incentives to apply water-saving technologies available in the domestic market, like the drip irrigation and sprinklers. Some 40 farmers participated in the Incentive Rebate Program intended to connect farmers with providers of water-saving technologies, namely, Robinson Agri, Debbane Agri and Unifert. USAID project head, Rana Maalouf, pointed out that as the agricultural sector is responsible for more than two thirds of water consumption across the nation, hence every measure that contributes to conserving water resources in agriculture will have a remarkable impact. This is why LWP cooperates with agriculture establishments to encourage farmers to switch to water-saving technologies, Maalouf said. (Al Diyar, December 8, 2017)

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SMEs need the support of accelerators and incubators

7-12-2017

A study published recently by Fransabank Group underlined the importance of business incubators and accelerators in backing startups and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), showing that nearly 90% of economically active projects and companies are startups and SMEs. This means, according to the study, that such entities constitute the backbone of the social and economic growth and development in the country. The study also pointed to several challenges currently facing the sector in terms of the business environment in Lebanon, access to markets and finance, the need for advanced and modern technologies and for a larger number of business incubators and accelerators that provide adequate support services at all levels. The Fransabank study maintained that such incubators are crucial in propping up growth, sustainability and success of SMEs and startups as they serve as a launching platform offering significant resources and services during their startup stages. Such services include rent-a-desk, mentoring and coaching, technical support, legal and management consulting, development of marketable products, in addition to access to markets, finance and service providers. The above study named 9 leading business incubators and accelerators in Lebanon, notably, Berytech, BIAT, South BIC, ALT City, UK Lebanon Tech Hub, SpeeD @ BDD, FLAT 6 LABS, SMART ESA and BADER. (Al Mustaqbal, December 6, 2017)


Previous related news:
Nine of ten companies in Lebanon are SMEs
Recommendations for supporting SMEs in Lebanon
Women’s experience in borrowing to set up SMEs
SMEs conference for promoting expansion
 

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