News

MP Bahiya Hariri said that the women representation quota is a transitional phase that will facilitate women’s access to the Parliament after which they can be elected in their own right. Hariri was speaking during the First Regional Meeting of Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP) held in cooperation with the Lebanese Parliament under the theme: ‘Healthy Women, Healthy Economies’. Hariri underlined the importance of women in being able to prove their capacities as deputies of the nation and not only as deputies of women”. While revealing the many challenges that faced women in the local municipal councils for lack of support, Hariri hailed the relatively sound level of education among women (nearly 52%). “If this is the case, why don’t women seize their roles, not only in politics, but also in state jobs, the private sector and in society,” Hariri concluded. On the other hand, minister Alice Shabtini, cited the strong support to women shown by prime minister designate, Saad Hariri, who, she said, insists on taking on women ministers in the imminent cabinet. Shabtini was speaking yesterday at the First Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Women’s Rights, under the title, ‘transition from ministerial outputs to development of policies on gender equality in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Shabtini pointed out in her intervention that “women in most countries still suffer from prevailing patriarchal mindsets, especially in Arab countries.” As an initial step, she advised, the United Nations and the European Union must move quickly to declare a state of emergency to implement development initiatives in poverty stricken regions, create jobs and earmark adequate support for women. (Al Mustaqbal, AL Diyar, November 29, 2016)

 

With the support of the Waldensian Evangelical Church and in partnership with Zahleh-Maalaqa and Taanayel Municipality, the Italian ICU association implemented a ‘cash for work’ project over a period of three months. The project targeted the most vulnerable groups of Lebanese and Syrian refugees, especially women and young men over 18 years of age who lack appropriate educational or professional aptitudes to help them find employment. Such program generates income for this group through work in sectors mostly needed by the local and host communities, said ICU director, Jose Antonio Naya Villaverdi. Some 30 women and 30 men, 80% of whom were Syrian refugees, benefited from the 50 thousand-euro program funded by the Evangelical Church. Each beneficiary was expected to receive a daily wage of 15 euros for sorting garbage (as a job for women) and collecting and dumping waste at the sanitary landfill of Zahle and its Caza (for young men). Three of these beneficiaries, namely Shams el Omr, Dalal and Khanem, demonstrate the miserable circumstances women refugees live up with since being displaced by war to Lebanon and forced to become the breadwinners of their families while living in camps for Syrian refugees. (An Nahar, November 29, 2016)

 

The caretaker industry minister, Dr. Hussein Hajj Hassan, briefed world states on the dire economic and political situation in Lebanon during his heading last week of Lebanon’s delegation to the forty-fourth session of the Industrial Development Board of the UN Industrial Development Organization in Vienna that coincided with UNIDO’s 50th anniversary. The minister reminded the international community of its failure to keep its commitments to alleviate Lebanon’s refugee crisis, demanding a rectification of the huge imbalances in global trade. Hajj Hassan said that developing countries, while struggling to expand the size and quality of their industries, face substantial difficulties in marketing and exporting their goods because of the protectionist policies adopted by large economic cartels. Meanwhile, Byblos Bank weekly monitor indicated a rise to USD 7.57 million in the trade balance at the end of the first half of 2016. This figure is attributed to an increase in the import bill by USD 612 million to USD 9.39 billion, and a corresponding fall in exports by USD 234 million to USD 1.82 billion, according to the monitor. Moreover, Lebanese exports to the EU have risen to USD 300 million only, compared to USD 200 million in 2000 (according to industry ministry statistics), whereas EU exports to Lebanon have jumped from USD 2 billion to USD 8.5 billion over the past 14 years. Besides, the closure of land crossings between Lebanon and Syria has greatly affected the flow of exports of made-in-Lebanon products to Arab countries. In a related analysis, L’Orient Le Jour newspaper drew attention in its November 21 edition, to the Arab Facilitation Agreement which, it said, is marred by shortfalls in implementation. In this respect, the chief of the Lebanese Industrialists Association, Fadi Gemayel, in an interview with L’Orient Le Jour, said the anguish of Lebanese Industrialists is mostly caused by an absence of official support, stressing that the solution would be in restoration of the tariffs that were suspended by above agreement or in backing local industrialists. (L’Orient Le Jour, Al Diyar, November 19, 21, 25, 2016)

 

Previous related news:

Hajj Hassan calls for easier EU procedures for Lebanese exports

Ministers of industry and economy criticize EU norms for packing and packaging

Lebanon struggling with world trade agreements

Lebanese exports fall by 30% because of trouble in exporting to Syria

 

As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, standpoints in favor of intensification of efforts to this effect continue. In this respect, the British Embassy to Lebanon disclosed that on December 1, the Coalition of Women Arab MPs combat violence against women (Lebanon included) will publish the first draft of an Arab Agreement to Fight Violence against Women. It pointed out that the coaltion sends, through the above agreement, a strong political signals on the urgency of adjustment of the Law on the Protection of Women and Girls from Domestic Violence, the punishment of violators and provision of care for the victims. Similarly, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, said that every time “we commemorate this Day we admit the failure of our societies,” pointing out that as decision makers, “we should bear a greater responsibility in protecting women and spreading awareness,” on the issue. On the local official front, Caretaker Minister of Interior, Nuhad Mashnook, reiterated the preparedness of the security forces to respond to any grievance related to violence against women. Mashnook recalled that since the beginning of this year, the General Directorate of the Security Forces has recorded and accordingly handled some 132 domestic violence related complaints. The minister also urged citizens to report similar incidents to GSF competent units by dialing the hot line on 112 for help. MP Elie Kayruz, for his part, appealed to the government to take all necessary procedural measures that lead to a better and more humanitarian implementation of the law on domestic violence. He called for stepping up efforts to develop a law repealing Article 522 of the Penal Code. Prime Minister Designate, Saad Hariri, pressed for a speedy trial and rigorous punishment of the perpetrators. 

(As Safir, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, November 25 and 26, 2016)

 

Previous related news: 

European Commission fed up with gender-based violence in the world!

“Nationality is a Right for Me and My Family” commemorates Independence Day!

Release of Fatmeh H7amzeh victim of confessional laws in Lebanon

 

The licensed construction spaces in Lebanon have increased to 860,869 square meters during the month of October 2016, against nearly 803,353 square meters in September of the same year, Al Diyar daily said today. Citing figures released by the Order of Engineers, the newspaper added that on a cumulative basis, however, the licensed building areas have shrunken to 835,879.2 square meters (2.34% annually) during the first 10 months of 2016. This figure, Al Diyar added, is the lowest record since 7 years, as compared to 855,904.1 square meters during the same period of the past year. (Al Diyar, November 28, 2016)

 

In a feature on November 22nd, L’Orient Le Jour daily highlighted a current initiative launched by USAID in 2015 to promote the manufacture of vinegar in Lebanon. The project, expected to be completed by 2017, presents one alternative to dispose of the swarmed local apple and grapes production, the newspaper said. With an overall budget of USD 30 thousand, this sub-project comes as part of the Lebanon Industry Value Chain Development (LIVCD) project and is aimed to help vinegar producers, particularly in the Beqaa region, achieve maximum proceeds. To this end, the US Agency has benefited from the expertise of vinegar specialists from the US, namely Lawrence Diggs, to introduce farmers to the latest technical know-how in the field, with special focus on the processing and storage areas. In the same vain, engineer Sa3eed Jad3un, deputy director general of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beqaa, indicated that there is some 40 thousand tons of unsold apples alone. This amount, he explained, is unlikely to be absorbed by vinegar manufacturers especially that imports of vinegar to Lebanon have gone up by 40% between 2012 and 2015, according to customs figures. (L’Orient Le Jour, November 22, 2016)

 

In a joint statement issued yesterday on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the European Commission to Beirut warned “enough is enough” in response to the continuous suffering of women inside the EU states and across the globe. The statement said that women are still beaten and are sexually and economically abused, raped or harassed on the streets or at the workplace. One out of 3 women in the European Union are exposed to countless forms of gender based violence, the statement said, pointing that 25% of women in the EU are subjected to sexual or physical violence from the age of 15, with many cases going unreported. The European Commission stressed the need to step up efforts to combat all forms of violence against women through challenging stereotypes that undermine women while evidencing that violence against women is intolerable. The Commission also stated that girls and women are considered vulnerable during conflicts and emergency situations, especially with the mounting incidents of aggression, extortion, exploitation and trafficking, as well as, other forms of gender based violence. Additionally, the EU statement noted that women and girls, particularly coming from foreign countries after a dangerous journey, face risks of violence from smugglers and emigrants, and even from the official authorities in some states. “We shall spare no effort to change the circumstances,” the EU statement said, mentioning that some 3.4 million girls, women, boys and men from around the world are expected to benefit from relevant humanitarian programs. As part of the EU 2016-2020 Gender Action Plan in the framework of external relations, “We shall continue to support girls and women who are subject to violation of their rights all over the world,” the EU statement added. Today, the European Commission is launching a set of activities for 2017 in this direction, and has allocated a sum of 10 million euros to support efforts for the prevention of gender based violence and its victims inside the EU states, the statement concluded. (Al Diyar, November 25, 2016)

 

Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation organization warned in a statement yesterday the government who has not respected the deadlines set for the development of a civil personal status law and that is in total disregard to the role of civil judiciary. Since its creation, the statement said, the Lebanese State, has been procrastinating this issue under the pretext that it is the responsibility of religious authorities and supported by Article 9 of the Constitution. “This kind of argument no longer convinces us, for we know that any legislation cannot be enacted if it is contrary to the Constitution,” the statement added. Kafa criticized the government’s reluctance to formulate a civil and fair law that does not view women as “subordinate” to men, warning that this year will witness stepped-up efforts to “expose what is going on, not only within the private spheres marital homes, but also behind the secluded doors of spiritual courts which are immune to accountability and responsibility.” “It is true that the Lebanese Constitution under Article 9, has safeguarded the personal status system and religious interests, yet it never ensured respect for the basic rights of women. Moreover, it went as far as justifying the forced marriage of minors, depriving mothers of their children, cautioning women to exercise patience, preventing many women from filing for divorce and determining an alimony barely enough to clothe a child,” the statement said. Today, which coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, presents an opportunity to question the relation between the alimony, children custody and other civil matters with religion or sect. With the presence of competent civil judiciary, these issues should fall within their powers, the statement noted. “The Government’s responses no longer persuade us, nor do the political and spiritual ranks intimidate us. What they consider as untouchable is in fact a secular law, adjustable and adaptable. Now is the time for the government to reinstate authorities to their rightful place,” Kafa statement concluded. (Al Mustaqbal, November 25, 2016) 

 

In collaboration with the American University of Beirut, Jihad Al Binaa Development Association-Beqaa Directorate organized on Wednesday a workshop on the cultivation of saffron at the AUB Agricultural Center in Hosh al Nabi. Engineer Nicolas Haddad demonstrated ways of growing and nurturing saffron, enumerating the long list of benefits of the crop. Following the lecture, some 30 participants from the various agriculture schools, as well as, farmers form different Beqaa regions, headed to the fields to learn more about the cultivation and uses of the flower. The activity comes within the framework of Bayader al Kheir for Agricultural Development and Extension project. (Al Diyar, November 25, 2016)

 

Insure Match Capital (IM Capital) launched last Friday the Confideo Venture Mentoring project at the Four Season Hotel in Beirut in the presence of the Director of USAID Office of Economic Development in Lebanon, Cybill Siglar and Berytech Chair, Maroon Shammas, General Manager of IM Capital, Nicolas Ruhana and other concerned figures. This program comes as part of the Middle East and North Africa Investment Initiative (MENA II) funded by USAID to help steer startups in Lebanon as they grow and support them to attract additional capital. The program is also co-funded by the World Bank through the Early Stage Innovation Financing initiative in Lebanon. The above program is based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Venture Mentoring Service (MIT VMS) which has succeeded over the past 16 years in helping entrepreneurs build their skills and bring their innovations to the market, as well as developing their capacities. During the launch ceremony, Shammas underlined the importance of mentoring and guidance for entrepreneurs as it plays a pivotal role in introducing the required skills at an early stage of their business development. For her part, Siglar encouraged participating entrepreneurs to enroll in the said program which she said is a valuable resource for building success. (Al Mustaqbal, November 19, 2016)