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Islamic training workshop in Saida to empower women economically and socially

26-1-2016

Through a joint initiative of Islamic Welfare Charity Institutions, and Imam Hussein Mosque, the “Mother’s sewing workshop” was founded in Saida in 1996 with the aim to teach girls and widows the art of needlecraft and seam stressing. In a feature published today, Al Mustaqbal newspaper shed some lights on this special workspace while interviewing the chair of the board of trustees, Hani Abu Zainab, who stressed that the aim of the endeavor is to empower women economically and socially through helping them to acquire an income generating profession. Abu Zainab went on to say that the workshop has since its inception expanded to cover the production of Umra and Hajj pilgrimage costumes and winter uniforms for students and underprivileged children. With the influx of Syrian refugees into the southern capital and suburbia, work began on a new sophisticated construction project, and a 1680 square meter land was purchased to this end in the East Saida suburb of Bramiyeh. According to the newspaper, the project was launched with financial assistances from ‘Qatar Charity’ and ‘Human Appeal International-UK’ foundations so as to accommodate a larger number of Syrian women refugees. The centre was equipped to train some 25 girls and women every year, as well as to educate and provide jobs for about 40 Lebanese, Palestinian and displaced Syrian women. The project also included the creation of a charity market that displays new and used clothing for disadvantaged families. (Al Mustaqbal, January 26, 2016)
 

 

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Yet another successful Lebanese model among Arab business women

25-1-2016

A study by the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) indicated that women members in the Middle East have started to assume leadership positions in the fields of public policy and socio-economic ventures. The conclusion of the study somewhat defies general data that revealed a decline in women’s economic contribution in the region to levels below the global averages. The above survey highlights the contributions of a number of women entrepreneurs and their views regarding the recent developments and changes affecting the roles of Middle East women in business. Christine Sfeir, from Lebanon, Chief Executive Officer of Treats Holding, and YPO member, is one of those. In the wake of the 2006 Israeli aggression, Christine she decided to transcend borders and expand her business globally. She opened a chain of Lebanese eateries in the US and introduced the brand ‘Semsom’ for the first time in the Arab countries before reaching New York City in 2013. Sfeir kicked off her career in Lebanon when she was only 22 when she launched Dunkin Donuts in Lebanon, expanding to over 30 locations. Sfeir noted that she focuses on recruiting women within her team because women deliver good results, as she put it. Sfeir also added that she is mentoring a number of women to become good models for the young Lebanese women entrepreneurs. For her part, Dr. Shereen Faqih, said that beside the excellent case model of Sfeir numerous other big opportunities exist in the region, particularly in the sectors of technology and community-based projects. She concluded by underscoring the importance of individual initiative as the most powerful tool for success. (Al Mustaqbal, January 25, 2016)

 
 
 

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The Arab Federation for Professional Women to promote their role in Lebanon

25-1-2016

The Arab Federation of Professional Women-Lebanon Branch organized last Friday its first general assembly at the conference hall of the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce in the presence of the branch president, Nariman Jamal Ghanem, members of the administrative board and heads and members of the attending sectors. The meeting discussed the work strategy of the new organisation aiming at promoting the business of professional women and at strengthening their roles, in addition to empowering rural women in the most disadvantaged and remote areas across the country. The assembly also discussed various tasks and organizational matters related to the following fields, legal, social, education, tourism, health, information, comprehensive development, culture, banking, institutions, scientific research, politics, financial planning and external relations. In conclusion, a work program for the next period was drawn which included the official launching of the Arab Federation to be held in Lebanon. (Al Mustaqbla, January 23, 2016)
 

 

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Young Lebanese unemployed in Lebanon become global pioneers

25-1-2016

A group of young Lebanese men and women under 30 were chosen by Forbes, the leading business magazine, as pioneers in generating capital. Rami Rahal and Laura Mary Baz followed Usama Ammar who in 2014 made big accomplishments between New York City, Paris and Silicon Valley and was dubbed as one of the controversial figures in the French startup companies. For more insight on the subject, L’Orient Le Jour spoke to Baz, 26, who said that she has become one of the competitors in global finance, boasting that she heads a team managing billions of dollars at the London-based Vitol oil corporation. Vitol, Baz clarified, owns a power plant in Britain, two oil refineries in Germany and Switzerland and has bought all the Shell gas stations with their logistics equipment inside Australia and Africa. Likewise, the 29-year old Rami Rahal talked big about realizing his NYC dream where he contributed to the startup of the ‘Blue Cloud’ computing project and succeeded in raising some USD67 million over a period of 4 years only. Rami, from the Beirut suburb of Baabda, studied mechanical engineering at AUB and continued his postgraduate studies at Columbia University in NYC where he settled. (L’Orient Le Jour, Al Diyar, January 23, 2016)  
 

 

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Deir al Ahmar farmers criticize the impact of relief work on labor supply

22-1-2016

Farmers of Deir Al Ahmar, Beqaa, urged the EU and UN affiliated aid organizations to distinguish between the longstanding Syrian workers and the newcomers displaced Syrian nationals. Lebanese farmers who made their appeal ahead of the donor conference for Syrian refugees scheduled to be held on February 4 in London, outlined that many Syrian workers and temporary refugees now refuse to work in the fields since they are registered with the UNHCR and are receiving monthly aid packages. This, farmers added in their statement, has negatively impacted the agricultural sector, the workforce and employers. Farmers warned of an alarming shift in the recruitment of Syrian labor over the past three years, adding that: “In light of the flow of food and financial assistance from the donor community, the laborer who used to work in agriculture for more than 10 years now has new demands and is setting new conditions regarding pay and working hours,” the statement went on to say. (An Nahar, January 22, 2016)
 

 

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Pioneering experience of a Southern mother who built a school for people with special needs

22-1-2016

In its feature yesterday, As Safir daily highlighted the story of a woman from the south, mother of a disabled child, who in 1996 opened the first floor of her residence in Aita Shaab to receive people with special needs and later founded her association that cares for similar children. The newspaper said this bold initiative by Da3ad Sroor witnessed and expansion having succeeded in drawing financial contributions from individuals, embassies, private enterprises and community organizations, resulting in the construction of a fully-equipped modern school that meets the requirements of children with special needs. However, during the Israeli aggression of 2006, a large part of the edifice was damaged, As Safir reported, but added, that the determination and steadfastness demonstrated by the southern woman enabled her to repair the school and reopen it. Today, the school hosts some 130 children from Bint Jbeil, the suburbs of Tyre up to Marjeyoon. Da3ad told the newspaper that she was pleased with her achievements, particularly in some cases where she personally helped girl graduates to integrate in society by becoming either teachers or dressmakers, while boys went on to work in mechanic workshops or barber shops. On the other hand, Da3ad criticized the absence of specialized public educational curricula for students with special needs, pointing to difficulties in their integration in public and private schools. She emphasised the need to develop public awareness and reinforce a culture within schools that embraces students with special needs. (As Safir, January 21, 2016)
 

 

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Open day in the South on ‘Women, Peace and Security’

22-1-2016

In coordination with southern women associations, the UNIFIL’s Gender Unit celebrated an open day yesterday devoted for ‘Women, Peace and Security’ at Bassel Assad’s cultural center in Tyre. In this respect, the coordinator of the gender action group in Tyre, Hadiyya Abdallah, outlined the recommendations that call for addressing gender issues and creating support groups, in addition to organizing awareness workshops on the subject for both men and women. Similarly, the Bint Jbeil coordinator, Nada Bazzi, noted that stereotypes about women and their achievements need to change through relevant campaigns and the appointment of women in decision making positions, notably in the public sector. Sabah Abu Abbas, the coordinator for the Marjeyoon action group pointed out that the limitations forced on women because of outdated social traditions undermines their power to build a social network, and consequently weakens public capital allocated for their potential contributions. In conclusion, the UNIFIL General Commander, Luciano Portolano, said in his intervention that despite the slight progress in observing the United Nations resolutions on women, peace and stability, there are still loopholes that need to be addressed. And while he pointed to a significant rise in sexual and gender-based violence particularly in societies witnessing conflicts or post conflicts around the world, he said the participation of women in conflict resolution and in peace-building is still relatively low. Portolano also underlined the importance of implementing the above recommendations, including the creation of the necessary mechanisms for the active implementation of the Global Women, Peace and Security Agenda as shown by the various women’s groups. (An Nahar, January 22, 2016)
 

 

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Wheat farmers awaiting government’s accord on 2015 entitlements

21-1-2016

The Daily Star reported in its issue of today that wheat farmers are still waiting for the government to release their entitlements for last year’s harvest after the Cabinet failed to reach a decision over how much to pay them. On the other hand, the Ministry of Economy is considering paying some 500 wheat growers who registered for the last year harvest at least USD100 for each dunum. Hassan Hammud, head of the Ministry’s department of supply and production told the newspaper that farmers are facing serious difficulties in marketing their crops due to fierce competition from imported products. Lebanon, he said, usually purchases the whole domestic wheat production and imports the remaining needed quantities from Ukraine, Russia and other European countries. It is to be noted that yearly domestic wheat production during the last three years has stabilizes at the level of 140,000 tons, well below the total local demand of 825,000 tons which was recorded during the marketing year that ended in June 2015, and that is according to US Department of Agriculture statistics. (The Daily Star, January 21, 2016)
 

 

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The plight of MWDW unfairly deported from Lebanon

21-1-2016

In its edition of January 19, the Daily Star published a special feature on the continuous suffering of migrant women domestic workers (MWDW) and foreign workers in general in Lebanon since the issuance of the regulatory order in 2014 by the Directorate of the General Security. According to that recent order, GS has halted the renewal of work permits for foreign workers of the third and fourth categories, namely the under-paid MWDW and agricultural and industrial workforce, who gave birth in Lebanon, and for their children, thus resulting in their deportation. In an interview over the phone with a Sri Lankan MWDW mother of one child, the newspaper cited Rouhini’s lament over her banishment after 20 years of residency in Lebanon. Rouhini who is described by her neighbors as a peaceful person was deported alone leaving her husband and girl behind while the GS continue to refuse to grant her a visa to reunite with her family. To be noted that the decree which was not officially endorsed and yet is being widely implemented despite the noble efforts by ‘Insan’ human rights organization to resolve a number of deportation cases. The Daily Star concluded by pointing out to the unfair sponsorship (kafala) system which remains in effect and which reinforces the mistreatment of foreign workers. (Daily Star, January 19, 2016)
 

 

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Challenges resulting from smuggling of Syrian olive oil and absence of marketing prospects for Akkar citrus

20-1-2016

The head of the agricultural branch of the General National Federation of Lebanese Cooperatives, and President of the Cooperative Association of the Olive Farmers in Kura, George Constantine Inati, warned of the possible extinction of olive cultivation in Lebanon as a result of fierce unlawful competition from Syria. He pointed out that this year’s olive season in neighboring Syria was excellent, exceeding an estimated one million ton, noting that Syrian olive oil is being sold in Lebanon at half the cost price of the corresponding Lebanese product. In this respect, Inati appealed in a letter to the Syrian agriculture and agricultural reform minister, Ahmad Kaderi, to find a solution to the crisis. He urged him to issue a regulatory order restricting all exports to the Syrian government and its affiliated export companies only. He also recalled that the Lebanese agriculture minister has issued a ban on the imports of olives and olive oil similarly to actions taken by the governments of Syria, Jordan and the Palestinian authorities.

On the other hand, citrus farmers in the northern plains of Akkar while describing this year’s season as ‘excellent’ in quality and the size of production, complained about the narrow possibilities of marketing their products since the closure of borders with Syria. One farmer and exporter, Mohamad Mobayid, expressed his grief regarding the deteriorating financial situation resulting from the decline in export activity and fall in prices in the domestic market where supply is higher than demand, noting as well the high cost of exports through container vessels. (As Safir, January 20, 2016)
 

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