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Civil society celebrations on the International Women’s Day continued unabated. The latest was a ceremony held yesterday at Bassel Fleihan Institute of Finance and Economy ending the training program on ‘Mechanisms for the Empowerment and Promotion of Development Role of Women’. The said program, to note, was organized by the Arab Planning Institute under the theme  ‘closing the gender gap’. On the occasion, the president of the Institute, Lamia Bssat, pointed out that helping women access decision making posts starts with an anticipatory planning for jobs and facilitation of prospects of promotion for women though the adoption of a “gender diversity quota in senior positions,” as she said. Similarly, the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) held yesterday a celebration for honoring some 20 female directors in the public departments in the presence of the minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian. The minister reiterated the need to promote women to become key partners in the making of political decisions at the national level. (For the full names of the honorees, kindly visit the following link: : http://nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/show-news/273058/20). 

Furthermore, the Lebanese Council for Women staged a symbolic sit-in in front of the Grand Serail in Riad el Solh with the participation of several civil society organizations. Participants hoisted banners calling for the involvement of women in the discussion of elections laws, the inclusion of the women’s quota and introduction of an optional civil personal status law. In the same spirit, the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund, organized a seminar yesterday on ‘ways to help women access leadership positions’ and during which Abeer Shbaro, NCLW officer, outlined a key suggestions. In the same context, the Maronite Patriarch, Besharah Al Rai held a celebration in Bkerki on Wednesday carrying the title ‘I am a woman, present and ready’ that was organized by the Pastoral Office of Women in the Patriarchate. Al Rai stressed the essential presence of women in every household, hailing the role of female Church pioneers and their good impact on schools, hospitals, and on the humanitarian and social fronts. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, March 9 and 10, 2017 )

 

Greenpeace environmental organization launched on Wednesday a solar power supply project to help the women’s cooperative in the southern town of Deir Qanoon al Nahr-Ras, Tyre, increase production while rationalizing the use of electricity and diesel. The said initiative targeting Mawassim el Dai’aa coop run by women gives female workers more time with their families. During the launch event, campaign officer, Julian Greisati, disclosed that the project was funded collectively, at USD 12,000, as part of Greenpeace Mediterranean- Arab World’s ongoing work in the fields of energy and climate in the region. The chief of the Women’s Cooperative Association in Deir Qanoon al Nahr, Daad Ismail, pointed out that there were only 12 women working with minimal resources when the coop opened in 2005, but that now their number has doubled. She underlined the shortages of electric power faced by the cooperative and resulting in extra production cost. Sometime, women had to work manually to run the machinery, which meant a drain of time and effort and lower production, Ismail said. “Today we celebrate a progressive change that is projected to continue and reflect positively on our lives and on our community,” Ismail added, noting that the project shall contribute to a sustainable production and extra profits, while creating new job prospects for more women. (Al Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le Jour, March 10, 2017)

 

 

 

Lebanese climber, Joyce Azzam, has made it to one of the highest 7 peaks in the world, Aconcagua (6962m) located in the Andes Mountains of Argentina, thus scoring a record of 21 most known mountaintops across the globe. Azzam has reportedly faced big psychological and nature caused pressures associated with mountaineering, but has decided to conquer the peak and raise the Lebanese flag up on the highest crest of Latin America. Joyce’s mission is considered one of the toughest accomplishments in mountaineering which makes her the first in Lebanon and the Middle East to achieve this. Only 51 climbers in the history of this risky sport, including 12 women, have been able to make it. To note, this escapade is part of a series of mountain climbing adventures called ‘Explorers Grand Slam’ project.  Azzam disclosed that her next destinations for 2017 are the highest peak in North America, Denali in Alaska, and Kilimanjaro in Africa. Through her achievements, Azzam is seeking to become an inspiration for all the Lebanese girls and women, she said. (Al Mustaqbal, March 9, 2017)

 

Previous related news: 

BLC supports a Lebanese woman in reaching Mount Aconcagua

 

 

Coinciding with the International Women’s Day, the Lebanese Cabinet approved yesterday a draft law proposed by the ministry of state for women’s affairs to criminalize sexual harassment, and referred it to Parliament for ratification. Minister Jean Ogassapian said that the move was a gift to women on their day, expressing his gratitude for a remarkable accomplishment after only 2 months from his appointment. He pledged to take bolder and positive steps that strengthen the status of women in society. On Women’s Day, statements from officials continued. To this effect, President Michel Aoun praised women’s perseverance saying he supports the eradication of all inconsistencies between men and women in the law, and promised to continue to work to achieve that. Aoun was speaking yesterday in front of a delegation of a delegation of the Lebanese Council of Women led by Iqbal Dughan. Similarly, Prime Minister Saad Hariri held a brunch in honor of the women employees at the Grand Serail, stressing his commitment to introducing the women’s quota, because as he said, “society will not accept the idea unless it is enforced on it.” For her part, the president of the National Commission of Lebanese Women, Randa Berri, reiterated on the occasion her demands for inclusion of the quota with not less than 30% in any upcoming electoral law. To note, that despite the endorsement of the above law yesterday, An Nahar newspaper mentioned today three proposals related to women that are still pending between the parliamentary committees and the Parliament’s General Committee. These are respectively related to regulating the marriage of minors, abolishment of Penal Code Article 522 and the amendment of Provision C of Article 14 of the Social Security Law on the right of women to grant National Social Security insurance, An Nahar reported. (An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, March 8 and 9, 2017)

In a tribute to the International Women’s Day, L’Orient Le Jour highlighted the serious low participation rates of women in the labor market in Lebanon influenced by stereotypes and discrimination factors. Citing the Global Gender Gap Index 2016 published by the World Economic Forum, L’Orient Le Jour said Lebanon came 135 among the 144 countries covered by the survey, with only 24% of working females in 2014. And according to a number of women interviewed by the newspaper, the first discrimination they face is in the stage of recruitment. Dima Jamali, a professor at Suliman Olayan School of Business- AUB attributed this to the stereotypical images of women portraying them as less loyal or less engaged in work given their family commitments, or the long pregnancy and maternity leaves they boast. And if they got the job, the post will be mediocre with a basic salary, Jamali expounded. While pointing that discrimination hits as well other sectors with an outstanding presence of women, L’Orient Le Jour talked to Randa Bdeir, head of card services department at Bank Audi to know more. Bdeir suggested that the government should enforce the appointment of one or two women in the corporate boards of directors in companies. However, the matter is problematic and sensitive and hence, requires a change of the prevalent culture which, also needs time, Bdeir maintained. In another feature, L’Orient Le Jour shed light on startups in Lebanon particularly those led and owned by women and the challenges they face. The chief of the Lebanese Businessmen Association, Fuad Zmokhal, told the newspaper that despite the growth of and the increasing interest of women in the sector, yet their representation is still shy. The enterprises founded by women are small, as they opt out of borrowing and prefer to be on top of their projects and manage them personally. (L’Orient Le Jour, March 3 and 7, 2017)

 

Notwithstanding the critical conditions caused by the war in Syria, women presence is remarkable and strong, while showing progress at the level of striving to protect themselves and their children against domestic violence. In this respect, that an annual conference in Damascus for the Association of Construction and Wood Workers has revealed that out of the 9598 workers in the private and public building industries, there are some 1598 women, according to daily Al Akhbar. The members of the association called for better direct health services, away from the insurance companies, while stressing the urgent need to amend the government decree concerning the housing of workers, so that it also covers rural citizens, and therefore decreases the financial burden of workers. On a related matter, and coinciding with the International Women’s Day, the Syrian Committee for Family and Population Affairs launched yesterday the so-called ‘family protection unit’ in the northern Damascus suburb of Qadsiyeh. The said unit is expected to provide temporary housing for women and children subject to domestic violence, as well as legal, medical, psychiatric and social support, as well as rehabilitation and training services. On the subject, the unit chief, Hadil Asmar, told Al Akhbar reporter, that the place is almost ready with a capacity of up to 96 persons. Each of the 8 apartments of the building, she explained, can house around 7 people in the first phase, as it is not advised for psychosomatic persons to stay in densely populated spaces. Asmar also pointed out that the building is equipped with a number of halls for exhibition, technology, training and sewing works. Finally, she revealed the existence of a plan to open another unit in Aleppo in light of the success of the first. (Al Akhbar, March 9, 2017)

 

Following repeated statements by the industry minister, Hussein Hajj Hassan, warning of a gap in trade relations with numerous countries, the director general of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI), Talal Hijazi, noted that one of the key reasons for that gap is what he noted as harsh restrictions enforced on Lebanon’s exports, while describing the benchmarks set by trading partners as ‘manipulative’ and aiming to impede exports. Hijazi was speaking during the launching last week of the agro-products site directory for international export requirements (Tasdier) funded by USAID in collaboration with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, which contains a database of the technical standards required for the access of fresh and processed agricultural goods to above states. In the same vain, and during his inauguration on Tuesday of the solar power plant in Bekfaya, Industry Minister Hussein Haj Hassan warned of detrimental effects on production which is neither protected here, nor can enter foreign markets. In a related vein, Hajj Hassan relieved that during the discussion of the state budget, the prime minister asked the ministers of industry, economy and finance to enforce new protective fees in the coming few weeks on specific imported products in order to curb the dumping of cheap foreign goods. Haj Hassan speech was during  a ceremony where he awarded an ISO quality control certificate to the ALI, where he noted that the items that apply to the said taxes are those that are produced in abundance domestically and meet the demands of the market, and that the planned fees will be imposed on all countries without exception, and will target the following items: chicken, white cheese, yogurt, eggs, cut stones, industrial paper, garments, jewelry, shoes, steel, aluminum, plastic, flour, spaghetti, chips and handcrafts (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le Jour, March 3, 7, 9, 2017)

 

 

A report prepared jointly by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the global performance-management consulting firm, Gallup, entitled “Towards a better future for women and work: Voices of women and men” has shown that nearly 70% of women and 66% of men prefer that women work in paid jobs. Based on a world poll targeting some 149 thousand men and women in 142 countries, the report has indicated that while around 28% of men prefer women in their families to work at paid jobs, 29% prefer to see them devoted to household work and 38% would like them to be able to both work and care for their families. Internationally, the above report revealed that full time female workers (more than 30 working hours per week according to Gallup) prefer to reconcile work and family. Citing respondents’ opinions, the report pointed out that said reconciliation constituted a major challenge for working women across the globe. To name some of these snags, the report mentioned abuse and unfair treatment of women, sexual harassment at the workplace, inadequacy of well-paid jobs and unequal pay. Commenting on the above study, ILO director-general, Buy Ryder, clarified that the report clearly shows a preference by the majority of men and women workers for women working at paid jobs. The recipe for gender equality at the workplace, he stated, is the development of family-supportive policies that promote the resilience of working women and inspire men to share fairly the parenting chores with their spouses. For full report please check: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_546256.pdf ) (Al Hayat, March 8, 2017)

 

In commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) in Lebanon, An Nahar newspaper interviewed the newly-appointed minister of state for administrative development affairs, Dr. Inaya Ezzideen (the only woman member of the cabinet), and the minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, to highlight the required measures needed to realize women’s rights. Ezzideen explained to An Nahar that demands related to the rights of women should not be linked to an elections event only, “but should represent a comprehensive endeavor involving all elements society.” Ezzideen called for changing the stereotypes of women in textbooks, as well as, in the media, urging Lebanese women to work more on self-development as a means for accessing politics and public life. Ezzideen reiterated her commitment, as a woman and as a minister, to endorse the women’s quota, notwithstanding the stubborn hurdles on the way. Ogassapian, for his part, disclosed to An Nahar a 3-axes plan based on “the empowerment, strengthening and education of women’, as he said. On the other hand, the First Lebanese Lady, Nadia Shami Aoun, in her message on this special day, said that despite the burdensome challenges facing them, Lebanese women play a pivotal role in all aspects of life, and inspired them to be bold and contribute to the sought-for change. On the civil society front, Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation organization recalled in a statement released yesterday the dirty game of confessionalism in Lebanon, aided with the macho mindset, that have taken their toll in the past few years to substantiate deprivation of the rights of women. And the list is long, the statement wrote: prevention of criminalization in marital or spousal rape cases, prevention of protection of domestic violence children victims, substantiating monopoly in family planning matters, as well as, fostering male dominance inside families, deprivation of women from their rights to grant nationality to family members and, last but not least, the consecration of the marriage of minors. Kafa pledged to continue its struggle against confessional hegemony. Similarly, Green Party Lebanon hailed the achievements by women in Lebanon, notably in ratification of a law against violence, pointing out that women’s political participation requires inclusion of the quota, provisionally, in any electoral legislation. It called on all political parties to encourage their women members to reach senior posts. (An Nahar, March 8, 2017)

 

In the presence Agriculture Minister Ghazi Zuaiter, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched yesterday two projects to promote agricultural livelihoods and create jobs in this sector.  Implemented in collaboration with the Minister of Agriculture (MoA) and the Dutch Embassy to Lebanon, the projects are aimed at the ‘promotion of agricultural livelihoods and creation of rural jobs through investment in degraded lands and water reservoirs and development of the agriculture technical vocational education in Lebanon’. On the occasion, FAO representative in Lebanon, Maurice Saadeh, pointed out that the said initiatives shall help in the advancement of the sector and increase short-term, as well as, sustainable prospects of employment in the face of an intensive influx of refugees from neighboring Syria. Likewise, Minister Z3aiter disclosed an intention on part of his ministry to open new technical agriculture schools in the areas of Jeb Jnin, Rashayya and Zgharta in the framework of continuous support to agriculture extension which, he said, attracts farmers’ children and the poorer classes across Lebanon. To recall, 7 technical state agricultural schools were inaugurated in, Abdeh, Batroon, Fanar, Baaqline, Nabatiyeh, Khiyam and Nasiriyat Rizk. Z3aiter said the purpose of the first project is to enhance the quality of extension and help students acquire the necessary skills to access career opportunities. The project, he maintained will also enable young displaced Syrians to benefit from hands-on training programs and earn a technical baccalaureate in agriculture, which will facilitate their reintegration in the host communities or when they return to Syria. The second project, he added aims at supporting livelihoods through investing in land rehabilitation and irrigation. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, March 8, 2017)