News

The Lebanese pioneer women’s rights defender, Anissa Rawda Najjar passed away on ‎Wednesday at 103 years of age. Najjar received the “Commandor” medal of honor at her 100th ‎anniversary by then President of the Republic Michel Suleiman and was also honored by the ‎Ministry of Communications which issued a stamp carrying her name and picture. Early in her ‎life, Najjar fought in defense of human rights and women’s rights, in particular, crowning her ‎struggle with the formation in 1953 of the first of its kind rural development community in the ‎Arab world, ‘Village Welfare Society’, to promote and support rural women through enabling ‎them to become economically productive. She also established a number of clinics and schools ‎and sought to set up a rural institute that educates women (Madrasat Al Maraa Al Masoula). ‎Najjar has been one of the earliest Arab women journalists where she published and wrote in ‘Al ‎Ahliyah’ newsletter back in 1931 when she was still a student. In 1963 she was appointed editor ‎in chief of ‘Al 3urwa Al Wuthqa’ magazine before she became secretary of the Druze Orphanage ‎and the Lebanese‏ ‏Council for Women respectively. She contributed to the founding of the ‎Lebanese League for Good Housekeeping and partook in numerous conferences in Lebanon, the ‎Arab region and the world, and was honored at over 20 social, educational and cultural occasions ‎‎.( An Nahar, As Safir, January 15, 2016)‎

 

Harassment of girl students in Tripoli, in the North, has increasingly become an issue of concern among girl students and their parents. The Daily Star reported yesterday the arrest of a group of young men following allegedly accused of harassment following complaints lodged by girl students against unidentified male bikers. In this respect, a security source told the newspaper that the Internal Security Forces under the command of Tripoli’s Brigade Colonel Abdel Nasser Gamrawi are patrolling the areas on the entries of schools. The source added that a number of harassers have been referred to competent authorities and their bikes confiscated, amidst the welcome and satisfaction of parents and locals. (Daily Star, January 13, 2016)

 

The Court of Appeal in Beirut headed by Judge Janette Hanna has substantiated the right of a person in changing his/her gender at the Census Department as a respect for his/her psychological, gender, moral and social status. The decision taken on 3/9/2015 by the Court comes in response to a request by a woman who wanted to change her status to male at the Census Registry. Earlier, the Single Judge in Beirut in charge of personal status records repealed a lawsuit pleading gender transition at the relevant Census division despite a confirmation by the medical doctor that the patient, the plaintiff, suffers an irreversible mental and sexual behavioral disorder with nil possibility to salvage her feminine biological parts.

In its detailed verdict, the Court of Appeal maintained that the appellant has since birth suffered from gender disorder and has possessed male physiognomies as well as psychological, emotional and behavioral male characteristics. She has received a medical report pointing out that “her determination to undergo a sex transition operation is based on a level of maturity that allows her to go ahead with the procedure”. Moreover, the woman judge admitted the suffering of the appellant noting that sex change was “the outcome of a medical operation needed to relieve a life-long grief”. The Judge also supported the “essential and natural right of an individual to receive the treatment that alleviates his/her psychological and physical ailment and no one can deprive him/her of this right,” she said. The Court of Appeal went even further putting forward the right to respect and protect one’s private life. The Judge made clear that “correcting the errors at the Census Department necessitates a consistency with the truth, meaning that the identity should accurately reflect the status of its holder.” Accordingly, “the correction cannot be restricted only to the material error made at the time of registration while excluding other cases where the identity is not consistent with reality.” (Al Akhbar, January 14, 2016)

 

The Minister of Tourism, Michel Pharaon, held yesterday a meeting to discuss ways to promote rural tourism and prepare for the projected summer festivals and events. The meeting was held in the presence of the respective directors general of the Agriculture and Tourism Ministries, Louis Lahhud and Nada Sarduk, President of the Syndicate of Owners of Tourism and Travel Agencies, Jean Abood, representative for the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Bulos Aris, as well as representatives for the ministries of Culture, the Interior and Environment, beside Civil Society organisations. Discussions centered on the national strategy for rural tourism and achievements realized so far and on ways to expand its implementation in various areas in the country. The main points agreed were the following: developing agricultural products and guesthouses, completion of touristic maps and calendars of events for the regions, producing  marketing programs and brochures, as well as identifying needs and accordingly writing proposals to be submitted to relevant donor organizations. Pharaon noted a fad by the Lebanese to discover their towns and villages and by tourists who like to devote a day in remote rural areas. He pointed out to some 50 or more touristic endeavors, each of costing some USD25 thousand that may be financed by ministries concerned. The meeting closed with the launching of the new website devoted to the promotion of guesthouses. Participants also agreed to hold another meeting between rural tourism establishments and the Syndicate for Owners of Travel Agencies in order to further discuss the marketing of the strategy. (Al Mustaqbal, As Safir, Al Diyar, January 13, 2016)

 

Lebanon officially has taken part in the ‘Festa Del Mare’ or festival of the sea in Sicily, Italy, through a live presentation by famous chef, Charbel Abu Samra, which was aired directly on local TV channels. Lebanon’s participation came after the country’s earlier participation at Expo Milano, in June 2015 which resulted in cooperation agreements with many countries, regions and cities, including Sicily. Lebanon is expected to continue this cooperation through the European initiative entitled, “ItineraMed of the taste”, a project to be implemented in 6 Mediterranean countries and which will bring together 5 Lebanese cities, namely Beirut, Tyre, Deir Al Qamar, Baalbek and Ehden with 5 cities from Albania, Serbia, Egypt, Malta and Italy with the aim of fostering cooperation in tourism and culture among these countries. The project will also seek to create a unified international trademark for tourist business, particularly restaurants and hotels that will have it prominent place within the global tourism map. Collaboration areas will expand at a later stage so as to include the implementation of specific construction projects and the twinning of Lebanese and Italian cities. (Al Akhbar January 13, 2016)

 

In cooperation with the Institute of Progressive Women (IPW) in Iqleem Al Kharoob, the SMART Center for Media and Advocacy organized a gathering yesterday to discuss reform of the laws and regulations of the social security system. The event was held at the Mazbud social unit under the patronage of the Federation of Municipalities of the Northern Iqlim Al Kharoob and was organised as part of ‘Your Right is a Guarantee for Your Family’ Campaign launched by ‘Search for Common Ground’ and ALEF Lebanon- Act for Human Rights. On the occasion, Mohamad Bahij Mansur, President of the above Federation stressed the need to develop legislations that promote gender equality and justice at the level of the nation. Similarly, Sawsan Abu Hamzeh, IPW secretary, highlighted the role of the association in “empowering and building the skills of women to enable them to be socially, economically and politically active and participate in effecting change and gaining decision making,” adding that “Women can achieve the highest positions guided by their ambition.” For her part, SMART Center director, Randa Yaseer, outlined the demands, goals and strategies of the Campaign which aims to combat gender discrimination particularly that financial contributions by men and women to the social security fund are equal and they pay them evenly, but benefits from the Fund are not the same for both. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, January 13, 2016) 

 

A delegation from the Syndicate of Owners of Food Industries led by Ahmad Hoteit met last Saturday with the Speaker of House Nabih Berri and presented him with a plan to develop the sector. The delegation which comprised Syndicate members Ramez Abu Nader, Munir Bsat, Raja Cortas, George Nasrawi, Adnan Ataya and Abdel Hadi Sh7hadeh, discussed with Berri pending issues with the public sector, notably the following: the reactivation of the protocol between the Syndicate and the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) and the resolving of differences with the Finance Ministry. This, Syndicate representatives explained, will require the upgrading and amendment of certain current legislations as well as the development of laws that will facilitate the performance of this productive sector. For his part, Berri expressed readiness to resolve obstacles and promised to follow the subject with ministries concerned. (As Safir, Al Diyar, January 12, 2016)

 

In its issue of today, As Safir daily newspaper published interviews with a number of single women in Lebanon following a controversial infographic depicting celibacy rates in the Arab region, with Lebanon topping the list at 85% of single women. According to As Safir, some women talked down the seriousness of the post on Russia Today site a few weeks ago, noting that it lacked scientific evidence, particularly that it has been copied from another yet shadowy site ‘Here is Instagram’- on Holland Radio back in 2013. When asked by the newspaper about the credibility of the information, Dr. Dima Dabbous media professor and former director of the Institute for Women Studies at the Lebanese American University said they were not credible, especially that the research did not specify the sample or the adopted methodology. She went on to say that on the contrary if the age group of respondents was for example between 20 and 29-years, this would be a positive sign that Lebanese girls are becoming more educated and are planning a career life ahead of marriage. Furthermore, Dabbous objected to the use of the term "spinster"by the infographic, calling it pure male chauvinism and far from being objective.

Similarly, Dr. Michael Khury, psychiatrist and expert on mental health, told As Safir that the phenomenon of late marriage among the Lebanese women has its socio-demographic and psychological factors, and it is also subject to changing gender roles. Missan Leissi Satu7hi (single, 34), a lecturer at Sharja University in the United Arab Emirate, pointed out that while some married couples believe that single women are “pathetic”, others “envy the freedom we enjoy,” she added. She said women in Lebanon are now more ready to give up the traditional gender roles and are more focused on pursuing their academic and career objectives. Again, Maria Abdel Rahman (32), the regional director of Heartland Alliance NGO, stated that she will refuse to be interviewed should the report contribute to portraying single women as miserable persons.

As Safir, January 12, 2016

 

The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces- Public Relations Division announced in a statement issued last Saturday the death of a Bangladeshi migrant woman domestic worker adding that investigation is underway with the supervision of the competent authorities. The statement disclosed the following: On 10/21/2015, the decomposed body of a Bangladeshi woman in her forties was found in Beirut area on the Hariri Airport Road near Al Sahel Hospital. After close inspection and enquiries, the statement went on to say, the Southern Suburbs Litigation Squad at the Judicial Police Unit, was able to identify the identity of the murdered woman, Nazma. J, (1976, from Bangladesh) and the suspect’s identity A.D (1961, Palestinian) who was arrested on 8/1/2016 and confessed to strangling the victim to death for personal motives. (Al Mustaqbal, January 10, 2016)

 

In its issue of last Saturday, As Safir daily revealed that the first year of the alternative maritime export plan only brought farmers and merchants: further decline in agricultural exports, a buildup of financial losses, and stockpiling of production. According to the Syndicate of Exporters and Importers of Vegetables and Fruits in Lebanon, the fall in exports during 2015 exceeded 30% as compared to the year 2014. 

As Safir pointed out that while exports of Lebanese potato found their ways via Ro-Ro vessels, it only did so at unprecedented high costs. The remaining varieties of agricultural products namely fruits and vegetables experienced what exporters described as the “the ordeal of the long journey”, which lasted sometimes between 9 to 25 travel days. The lengthy trip, they grieved, was enough to ruin tons of shipped products which were thrown out in into the sea. Meanwhile, agricultural goods that arrived safe and largely unspoiled could not beat the competition and therefore were sold at very low prices in order to cut down on financial losses.

For more insight on the subject, the newspaper spoke to the President of the Syndicate, Naim Khalil, who maintained that the cost incurred on the Lebanese exporter per each sea shipment amounted to a net of USD2500, after deducting the value of the government subsidy according to the alternative export plan. Likewise, agriculture engineer, Jalal George Toom, explained that difficulties encountered were not only associated with the assigned sea lines and arrival schedules, but had much to do with the stringent handling facilities in Lebanese and Arab sea ports, particularly Jordanian ports. He went on to say that custom and handling fees were higher in value that those of exported products. In figures term, the newspaper pointed out that the total value of one potato shipment container of some 30 tons and of a minimum price of USD350 per ton, equaled some USD10500 for the entire shipment, while additional fees cost inside the Jordanian markets exceeded USD20 thousand for the same container. Accordingly, the cost price of one kilogram of potato amounts to nearly LBP1000, whereas the price of one kilogram in Jordan was LBP750, resulting in a loss of LBP250 per each Kg. (As Safir, January 9, 2016