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Twenty Lebanese companies present at Saudi Horeca 2017

7-12-2017

More than 20 Lebanese food and beverage producers as well as equipment and services companies took part in the 7th edition of Saudi Horeca 2017 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center- RICES (Riyadh, from November 27 to 29). The exhibition brought together some 150 companies from 20 countries around the world, including Jordan, Turkey, Kuwait, UAE, Italy, India, Sri Lanka and Australia participated to promote their trademarks and latest goodies and services in the food and non-alcoholic beverage industries, hotel supplies, restaurant equipment, kitchens sterilizers and hospitality technology. (Al Mustaqbal, December 7, 2017)

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Revival of the carob tree in Cyprus, what about Lebanon?

7-12-2017

After long years of neglect, the carob tree cultivation is being revived for its multiple health benefits. In its efforts to restore the abandoned tree in antiquity and as part of an all-out program to plant some 40,000 trees, Cyprus launched last week a huge campaign where it planted nearly 6 thousand carob trees. The project, carried out by the University of Cyprus in collaboration with Cyprus Agricultural Research Institute, aims to breathe new life into the traditional role of the Mediterranean island in producing carob. To recall, before World War 1, Cyprus was the third carob producer in Europe after Italy and Spain, with an output of 50,000 tons a year. The project seeks to bring back the culture of carob agriculture, particularly to enhance the local production of innovative carob foods and beverages aimed to create an alternative economic model. The president of Cyprus University heading the project, disclosed that tests are being conducted to develop new carob-based drinks and drugs given the carob’s beneficial properties, especially for digestion. She mentioned several attributes of the crop, notably that it is an organic substitute for cocoa and a key source for gluten-free wheat. (L’Orient Le Jour, November 27, 2017)

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Bottlenecks of Lebanese olive industry

6-12-2017

With the closing of the olive season, and despite a bumper year, farmers are concerned with the disposal of the harvest, external competition and inability of presses to take in the needs of the villages. In this respect, olive growers in the districts of Tyre and Bint Jbeil said they had to wait days at the local press where olive bags are mounted up, which forced them to seek presses outside their towns, namely in Hasbaya and Rashaya. Olive growers in West Bekaa decried the high cost and competition involving the care for the crop then picking the harvest to extract the oil. This requires them to sell one oil dispenser at LBP 150,000 – 170,000, which is not easy on the pocket of the Lebanese consumer or dealer for several reasons, most importantly the excess of cheap Syrian-made oil (sold between LBP 50,000 to 70,000) dumping the domestic markets. In Hasbaya, Al Ittihad newspaper wrote, where the harvest is abundant this year, olive growers agree that were it not for the Syrian workforce, a large amount of olives could still be hanging on the trees. Syrian refugees represent between 75% to 85% of olive picking workers. On the other hand, Al Diyar referred to a comeback of olive cultivation in the Bekaa area, particularly in Hermel and Northern Bekaa, where it is flourishing because of the favorable climate conditions, unlike Baalbek, where it has been obstructed by the successive frost storms that hit the region. On the subject, the minister of industry, Hussein Haj Hassan, praised the distinctive quality of Hermel olive oil, pointing to studies that have shown its special taste and its physical and chemical attributes as branded by Claudio, the Italian extra virgin olive oil expert. According to Claudio, one olive oil gallon can be easily sold at USD 400 provided it adopts a brand, a unique method of marketing and glass packaging along with the Italian certificate to verify the quality of the product. This, Haj Hassan said requires the cooperation of some 100 farmers under the umbrella of a cooperative, which was never contemplated. (Al Diyar, Al Ittihad, Al Mustaqbal, November 30, December 4 and 6, 2017)

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Life for Life campaign to reform Lebanese penal code

6-12-2017

On the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, and in partnership with the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) and UN Women, ABAAD organization launched its ‘LifeForLife’ campaign. The latter aims to amend Chapter 7 of the Penal Code whereby it maximizes the imprisonment to life sentence of the perpetrator of incest rape, specifically he who have sexually assaulted his daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece or any person of whom he has physical or legal custody on. According to ABAAD statement, the above campaign also aims to raise women’s awareness to report sexual abuse incidents, given the detrimental psychological damage incest crimes leave on girls and women which might lead to suicide. The latest figures have shown that rape reporting in Lebanon has increased in recent years, ABAAD statement said. The number of reported cases has increased from 11 in 2009, 33 in 2011, 42 in 2012, 36 in 2013, 52 in 2014 and 27 in 2015. In the first six months of 2016, there were 18 rape crimes, the statement went on to say. Finally, it appealed to citizens to show solidarity and pressure officials through demanding ‘life for life’ on ABAAD website http://www.abaad-lifeforlife.com (An Nahar, December 6, 2017)

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Wage disparities between men and women also prevalent in France

6-12-2017

A study published this week by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) indicated that in 2015, women in every family in France, received a wage lower by 25% than men. The annual pay rate for a female stood at 17,740 Euros, against 27,702 Euros for a male, the study said, noting that the gap was mainly in the difference in wages and the rest in the number of working days during the year. According to INSEE figures, the annual income increases with age up till the age of 54, where employees aged between 50-54 years earn 3.5 times higher than workers under 25 years. As for the wages of public sector employees, they are relatively higher than those in the private sector (the annual pay of a state employee is 21,920 Euros against 20,140 Euros for private sector staff. (L’Orient Le Jour, December 2, 2017)

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Let’s play for [gender] equality

6-12-2017

The office of the minister of state for women’s affairs and the ministry of education jointly with ABAAD organization launched yesterday the ‘Let’s play for equality’ program at Wata Mseitba public school. The program adopts friendly and interactive ways to promote the notions of participation, partnership and teamwork among children and increase their knowledge of gender roles and gender-based violence, in addition to introducing conflict and emotional management methods through non-violence. The pilot program will be carried out in 18 public schools across the country to be developed and streamlined at the national level in order to build generations in observance of principles of citizenship and equality between the sexes. On the occasion, the head of the Educational District of Beirut and the Environs, Mohamad Jamal, made clear that “gender-based prejudices to which kids are often exposed at some schools and in society at large could have long-term effects on their career choices at a later age.” The priority should be given to protect the children in the first years of schooling from being influenced by gender stereotypes which remain a key challenge in the struggle to achieve gender equality in education and other areas. In conclusion, Jamal advised against gender bias in elementary schools. (Al Mustaqbal, December 6, 2017)

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The health of domestic workers not okay

5-12-2017

Al Akhbar newspaper published an article by Dr. Faisal Qak portraying the health conditions of migrant domestic workers in the country. He said that while the overall number of migrant workers in the world stands at 11.5 million persons, nearly three quarters of them are women, with domestic service being the main occupation of girls under the age of 16 years. Qak pointed out that the total number of migrant women domestic workers (MWDW) in Lebanon and Arab countries has reached about 2 million women, noting that the refugee crisis resulting from war in Syria has increased the rate of employment among females. Al Akhbar feature also highlighted a report issued recently by the World Health Organization (WHO) which shows that working women contribute to the economies of states where they work despite poor work conditions in terms of low wages, long working hours, malnutrition and inadequate housing, in addition to their suffering from discrimination and social segregation. The WHO report has maintained that notwithstanding the validation by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 of the rights of MWDWs, yet the latter’s health conditions is not okay (For full article in Arabic please check: al-akhbar.com/node/287114). In a related vein, and as part its program launched in 2011 to support MWDWs, Amel Association International is holding today at Commodore Hotel a national conference entitled, ‘Towards a national protection mechanism for migrant domestic workers victims of human trafficking in Lebanon’. ( Al Akhbar, November 29, Al Ittihad, December 5, 2017)

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Continuing interest in journalism despite unemployment in the sector

5-12-2017

In a special feature today, Al Ittihad newspaper focused on the challenges and hitches facing the schools of journalism and media studies in Lebanon amidst a profound crisis in the press industry, particularly in the past two years which saw the closing of several institutions and the downsizing of media staff. In this respect, the director of the Lebanese University School of Information, First Brach, Dr Rami Najm, told Al Ittihad that while the media sector in the country, namely the press industry, is going through a terminal crisis, students are still passionate about majoring in journalism, pointing to a steady pace of registration and attendance at the school. Like all journalism graduates, students toil to find jobs, Najm explained, noting that despite the declining market, the college does not intend to reduce its regular number of students, but will identify the courses and disciplines as needed by the labor market. A large number of students dream of becoming big shots after graduation which explains their desire for power, fame and recognition, Najm stated. However, the school is directing them to make flexible choices, which are not exclusive to the anchor/presenter specialties, like for example photojournalism and electronic media. (Al Ittihad, December 5, 2017)

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A training day for wives of Lebanese Army martyrs

5-12-2017

In cooperation with the Western Sector Command- the Italian Battalion, Paratroopers Brigade Folgore, the Association of the Martyr Lieutenant Colonel Sobhi Al Akoury organized last Friday a training day dedicated to the wives of the Lebanese Army martyrs at the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura. Some 50 women partook in the event which included joint activities with UNIFIL female troops, as well as courses in first-aid, military combat and Italian cooking under the supervision of Italian trainers. Women beneficiaries interacted with the activities demonstrating extraordinary aptitudes. Nadine Maalouf, a martyr’s widow, said this vivid day brought her back to life. On the occasion, the Commander of the Western Sector, General Rodolfo Sganga, described women as shadow armies, in relation to their role in bringing up and preparing soldiers in the Army. Al Akouri Association to recall is a non-profit organization supported by the Lebanese Army in the name of the army officer martyred in during the Nahr el Barid battles in 2007 and founded by his wife Lia in 2008 to help the children of martyrs. (L’Orient Le Jour, December 5, 2017)

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Economic cost of violence against women project

5-12-2017

As part of the annual campaign to combat gender-based violence, the minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, launched yesterday a project to estimate the economic cost of violence against women in the Lebanon. Carried out in cooperation with ESCWA, the Central Administration of Statistics and UNFPA, the project aims to introduce a comprehensive reform of relevant policies through setting up a scientific foundation to upgrade the status of Lebanese women and reduce the rate of violence against them in line with international agreements. The initiative also supports national efforts to address gender-based violence under the umbrella of national action instruments and institutional structures highly committed to combat violence against women. This will reportedly impact, not only women, but also society and economy as a whole, in consistence with the government’s efforts to develop the first national strategy for combating violence, amend laws and provide services and response mechanisms to violence incidents. To note, the project is implemented in two phases: the first consists of a procedural plan to determine the executive steps based on broad national consultations. The second phase, results in an estimate of the cost of violence against women in Lebanon that can be calculated using an economic model which takes into consideration facts on the ground. (Al Mustaqbal December 5, 2017)

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