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The Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA) published on Tuesday its first industrial index after two years of preparation in collaboration with the finance ministry and the contribution of the Banque Libano-Francaise and Indevco Group. The LIA president Fadi Gemayel revealed a decline in the size of activity in the industrial sector by USD 1.8 billion during the period 2012 and 2015 and a fall from USD 10.5 billion in 2012 to USD 8.8 billion in 2015. Some 388 out of 2365 establishments with a total of 78 thousand employees have closed down, Gemayel said. In this respect, according to a study prepared by the LIA, the number of industrial companies in 2015 stood at 1977 companies, posting a 4.4% decline during the period from 2011 to 2015, compared to 2365 enterprises in 2011, that is by a loss of 388 enterprises. These institutions are distributed across 13 sectors, as follows: the food industries boasting the lion’s share (373 factories), noting that these factories embrace the largest workforce (around 33%); followed by chemical and plastic industries (some 272 factories), and paper and cardboard industries (224 factories). Accordingly, affected by this downward spiral, were the food, plastic and metal manufacturing plants at a rate of 56%, whereby, the production of plastic factories fell by (4.6%), followed by food processing plants (5.3%) and the metal factories by (6.8%). Maintaining that this database can be used initially by the Lebanese government to formulate a realistic industrial policy, Gemayel called for stepped up decisions to promote the sector based on two basic elements, protection and stimulation, combined with a rescue plan involving industrial exports. (Al Akhbar, Al Diyar, March 22, 2017)

 

In an interesting review on March 21, L’Orient Le Jour daily shed light on a book by young writer Bilal Salameh entitled ‘Bukra Bi Filloo’ (tomorrow they will disappear) featuring old shops (dakakeen) in Lebanon. Salameh started his journey in search of folklore shops, where he photographed and documented the stories of 9 of those ‘dakakeen’ located in the capital. Later on, he headed to Byblos, Balat, Laklouk and Chouf on foot for inadequate funds to complete the book which seeks to expose and portray the life cycle of each unique ‘dukkan’, as he mentioned. Salameh told L’Orient Le Jour that all the 9 ‘dakakeen’ in Beirut which he photographed and spoke to their owners boast a common trait. Each of these shops has outlived the civil war, Salameh expounded, has been renovated and is still managed by the same owner. Yet, the shelves inside them are empty and engulfed with dust, Salameh lamented, as few street goers appear at their doors. Most shopkeepers are nostalgic to the old busy days, Salameh said, pointing to their doggedness in inviting friends or customers to come share a coffee with them. An invitation, Salameh explained, that was considered a luxury in the old days when these ‘dakakeen’ were the only places that sell products and shop owners too busy to take a break. 

(L’Orient Le Jour, March 23, 2017)

 

In his message on Mother and Child’s Day, the President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, stressed his unyielding support and preparedness to protect women and children and to give family matters his full attention. Aoun’s statement came after a meeting with associations involved with women and children issues. A lot needs to be done, Aoun said, underlining the significance of collaboration in such matters to the end of protecting Lebanese children. Aoun lauded efforts by local organizations and groups concerned, pressing for expanding the scope of their work to cover the whole family. He described as shameful incidents of domestic violence that culminate in the death of family members, calling for making the appropriate legislative reforms, particularly through the amendment of the disputed domestic violence law, which “did not meet our expectations” as he put it and in order to provide better protection to women. Deterring violent acts inside threatened families is inevitable and required for their safety, Aoun noted. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, Al Diyar,, March 23, 2017)

  

 

 

 

Coinciding with International Women’s Day, and as an annual ritual, the Arabian Business magazine published the list of the 100 most influential Arab women for the year 2017. These women represent key female personalities on the global scene in the fields of art, culture, politics, journalism, sciences and economy. Joumana Hadad was among them and has been chosen for the 4th consecutive year for the category of cultural and social activism. (This year, she came 34) along with Manal Cherif from Saudi Arabia (95 place) and Rana Dajjani from Jordan (45 place). It should be noted, that the above magazine selects its candidates based on a thorough research on the regional and international accomplishments of subject women and in view of relevant referenda over a period of 6 months. Among other Lebanese honorees, are Fairuz, Amal Clooney, Raghida Dirghan, Christine Tohmeh and Grace Najjar. (for the full list, please visit the following link: http://m.arabianbusiness.com/the-world-s-most-influential-arab-women-10-1-666101.html (An Nahar, March 20, 2017)

 

The Arab Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology Societies held a conference on March 7 entitled ‘Transformations in Women's Health in Lebanon and the Arab World: Reality and Challenges and the Impact of Policy and Legislations’. The event which was organized in collaboration with the School of Health Sciences, Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) tackled problems and presented solutions to the end of promoting the general health of women. During the conference, Dr. Faysal El Kak, president of the Association, pointed out to huge disparities in maternal mortality rates which while posting a decline in some Arab countries, including Lebanon and the GCC states, remained high in some 8 other Arab nations. El Kak warned that the increase in birth rates among refugee women in Lebanon and neighboring countries is higher than the mortalities, particularly those caused by chronic diseases and not childbirth problems. He mentioned the surge by 20% in marriage rates among women aged 18, which sometimes reaches 40% in certain countries, as he said. Dr. El Kak noted that the use of birth control pills is still low, barely reaching 50%. For her part, the director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Office in Lebanon, Dr. Alissar Radi, considered that over more than half of women suffer from weight gain and other factors, like smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and lack of mobility. Some of these factors, she explained, contribute to the spread of breast cancer. Likewise, the director of the Arab Institute for Human Rights, Joumana Merhi, said that the right to health and freedom is a fundamental human right, similar to the right to determine the timing of pregnancy and the right to access medical services which is also an essential right for women. (An Nahar, March 22, 2017)

 

On the occasion of Mothers’ Day which falls on March 21 of each year, the Lebanese regions held a series of activities and events combined with public statements from politicians and officials. The First Lady, Nadia Chami Aoun, underlined the need to promote the values of peace, democracy and the power of acceptance and tolerance inside the diverse Lebanese society. Aoun who was speaking to a delegation of the World Movement of Mothers- Lebanon, said those values are badly needed during this time in the country’s resurrection at all levels. She emphasized the role of women in general and mothers in particular in bringing up of generations devoted and committed to Lebanon. Likewise, the Roman Catholic Patriarch of Tyre, Michael Abras, appealed, from the Roman Catholic Cathedral, to the government to extend its support to Lebanese women by giving them their rights, particularly the representation quota. For his part, former minister, Wadi el Khazen, questioned if the said quota is adequate for women who are marginalized and deprived of their civil rights, while in reality, they are influential constituents in life and work and at part with men partners. The Progressive Women’s Union sent its greetings to the mothers of Lebanon noting that celebrating the occasion remains void unless women are given their full rights and all forms of discrimination eradicated, and that can be realized through the amendment of unjust legislations. Say No to Violence association also congratulated mothers on this special day demanding through its emigration officer, Abeer Ghanem, the enactment of the nationality law which gives a Lebanese mother married to non-Lebanese the right to pass nationality to her family members. The Future Movement in West Bekaa and Rashaya organized a health mentorship session in Jib Janin, which included conducting medical and lab tests and the distribution of medications, enfant milk and gifts among the beneficiaries. The Lebanese Charity Association for Reform and Rehabilitation held a ceremony for the wives and mothers of the Lebanese Army martyrs. And, last but not least, the National Orthodox School in Shiktabah-Akkar honored the mother teachers at school. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, March 22, 2017)

 

Al Hayat daily featured last Friday the 10th edition of the Cairo International Women’s Film Festival (CIWFF) which was held in Cairo between March 4 and 9 with the participation of 59 films from 23 countries. Being a non-competitive event, the newspaper said the festival does not assign an award to participating films, but rather a single award is given based on an audience vote following the screening of each film. Al Hayat described the event as a rally showcasing independent movies created by women from all over the world. It was kicked off back in 2008 by director Amal Ramsis to highlight women’s cinema and films that largely boast a touch of humanity, Al Hayat wrote. The founder and director of CIWFF told the newspaper that the festival is dedicated to cinematic productions by women everywhere, describing it as a true adventure. It is the first of its kind festival in the Arab World, and it remains an independent initiative by a group of women, an event that is not supported by any public institution to ensure its success, Ramsis asserted. She said the festival presents films that are uncommon to the audience and are different from the ones screened in commercial cinemas or television. From the start, Ramses explained, the decision was to screen the films free of charge in order to be accessible to a wider audience. It is in fact, the first festival in Egypt that is free and that is screened with Arabic subtitles. (Al Hayat, March 17, 2017) 

 

The minister of economy and trade, Raed Khury, launched last Friday the strategy of his ministry for 2017 to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lebanon. The launch took place during a press conference attended by heads of some economy sectors and owners of SMEs. The said plan reportedly seeks to achieve the following: stimulate communication and coordination between all partners involved with the development of the entrepreneurship sector in the country; strengthen constructive and sustainable cooperation between the private and public sectors and enhance and support the legal, administrative, funding and services-related infrastructure to the end of improving and protecting the SME environment. On the occasion, Khury emphasized the vital role of SMEs in national economy, as they represent more than 95% of companies in Lebanon. Moreover, Khury added, these enterprises promote innovation, creativity and technology transfer, as well as, contribute to the creation of jobs, downscaling emigration and realizing an inter-regional economic development. Starting from this point, Khury expounded, the ministry has set a plan of action with a set of initiatives and activities which are: 1) organize roundtable workshops in all regions in collaboration with diverse concerned groups to tackle problems, obstacles, challenges, solutions and aspirations and resulting in recommendations that help in boosting the sector; 2) stimulate and step-up the work of so-called Lebanese Observatory for Small and Medium Enterprises in the development of a relevant database; 3) set-up and expand the android application and the website of SMEs linked to the ministry of economy, and 4) launch in May of the first edition of the National Forum for Small and Medium Enterprises. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, March 18, 2017)

 

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the American University of Beirut (AUB) launched the Randa Bdeir Leadership Award in recognition of remarkable leadership in support of women’s careers. The award will be handed every year to one person for his/her outstanding accomplishments and contributions in backing women careers at AUB, in Lebanon, the region and the world in general. The awardees are selected from a group nominated by the AUB. Randa Bdeir, an AUB alumna currently heading Bank Audi’s electronic payment solutions & card services department. Bdeir underlined in her words that the award does not only honor women, but also acknowledges the efforts made by other people who support them. “Despite the fact that men and women can be equal in their qualifications and capacities, yet women are faced with tougher challenges,” Bdeir noted. “In our society,” she said, “women have to cope with unjust civil laws and banking laws, as well as, with the way society looks at them and their obligations to their families,” she added. Women, she concluded, need every possible support to be able to realize their dreams and goals. For his part, AUB President, Fadlo Khury, thanked Bdeir for her initiative stressing the significance of the award in the development of the professional and career life of women. (Al Diyar, March 19, 2017)

 

The latest case of violence against women was the sexual assault on Friday against a girl inside a taxi. According to a statement by the Internal Security Forces- Public Relations Department, the ISF managed to arrest two men suspects on charges of raping a 22-old woman in Rmeileh. The incident took place on March 16 when the victim took a taxi from Zaitouna Bay in Beirut Water Front area to where she lives in southern suburb of the capital. But instead of taking the girl to her destination, they drove her to Rmeileh south of Beirut where they beat her, stole her cell phone and raped her before dropping her in nearby town of Jiyyeh. The ISF statement went on to say, that the two perpetrators, identified as Lebanese nationals (aged 22 years) from Qoreitem and Basta neighborhoods of Beirut, were arrested and referred to the competent judiciary. (Al Mustaqbal, March 20, 2017)