News

Beirut Center for Development and Human Rights launched a new project to empower women economically which will focus on those living in remote areas. Funded by USAID, the project aims at rehabilitating and training more than 600 women in remote rural areas while motivating them to engage in social and economic life in pair with men, and therefore, to enhance their overall living conditions.
The head of the Center, Ahmad Shams Eddine told Annahar newspaper that the project involves a theoretical a practical component. He added that while the first focuses on the importance of developing women’s participation in the economy since it results in increased family income, the second component will provide participants through training with new vocational skills.
Furthermore, Shams Eddine explained that the one-year project will seek to create new economic opportunities for rural families in remote areas that will assist them in remaining in their villages. He added that this can only be achieved by enhancing the economic participation of women through acquiring new income generating skills that require only small capital input and which will enable them to operate from home.
(Al Nahar, Feb 12, 2015)

Prime Minister Tammam Salam announced yesterday the launch of the rural tourism strategy saying that “security stability realized in the past 10 months in some areas of Lebanon allows us to achieve progress in the field of tourism”. The PM was speaking at a press conference at the Grand Serail in the presence of the Minister of Tourism Michel Pharaon, Minister of Information Ramzi Jreij, Minister of Environment Mohammed Al Mashnuq, Minister of Culture Rony Areiji and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Abdul Mutalleb Hinnawi, as well a other parliamentary, diplomatic, political and municipal officials. In his speech, the Minister of Tourism pointed out that a growth rate target in rural tourism ranging from 5% to 20% should be paralleled by plans to implement balanced development and to curb rural and migration and migration to other countries. In addition, he said, efforts should be focused on the development of rural areas, environmental awareness-raising and preservation of rural community resources. Marketing of local resources should be carried out domestically and abroad among the Diaspora and Lebanese expatriates should be encouraged to return and invest home. For his part, the Environment Minister called for adopting the concept of rural tourism aimed at strengthening man’s bond with his land, rather than forcing him to relocate or emigrate.
Similarly, the Information Minister presented the rural tourism strategy which included the following components: develop rural tourism, institutionalize its across Lebanon, protect cultural environmental heritage, improve public policies related to the tourism sector, namely legislations, promote rural tourism among the young generation, foster collaboration between various public and private institutions and finally, develop international relations in this field”.
(Al Diyar, Al Nahar, As-Safir, Feb 12, 2015)

A newly formed women group which is member of the Club for Women Entrepreneurs in Lebanon celebrated its affiliation with the “Women Entrepreneurs Club International”. The event took place at the Beirut residence of the President of Arab Women Entrepreneurs, Sheikha Hossa Saadallah Al Abdallah Al Sabah, who id the ambassador of the Women Entrepreneurs Club International in the Middle East. Vice Chairperson of the Club’s Main Office in New York, Doctor Amani Asfour, came all the way from the United States to participate in the occasion and in order to grant the chairperson of the Lebanese club, Carmen Zgheib, the certificate of membership. The International Club, which was established in Geneva, Switzerland by Lena Madisson Phillips, has affiliates from over 100 countries around the world. Its main objective is to build a network of women pioneers in the world of business and boost their economic presence. It also seeks to economically empower women through training, planning and educational programs, in coordination with the various economic, vocational and legal groupins in each country.  Furthermore, the Club is involved in the rehabilitation of and in providing support to micro projects for women who wish to increase their low family income and train them to manage effectively their projects.
(Al Diyar, Feb 10, 2015)

Wheat farmers protested to the Ministry of Economy demanding the payment of their entitlements which were approved earlier by the Cabinet of Ministers. A number of farmers in the villages of Rachaya and West Beqaa said they have enquired into the delay to learn that the Minister of Economy and Trade, Alan Hakim, did not endorse the payments yet. They urged concerned parties to release the funds and spare hundreds of rural families an inevitable economic and social disaster, especially those burdened with loan interests resulting from unsuccessful crop yields.
(Al Mustaqbal, Feb 7, 2015)

Following the news on the establishment of a trade union for domestic workers, Addiyar newspaper stated in its issue of last Saturday that this development was considered by Lebanese workers as a provocation which quoting a public official source from the Ministry of Labour who said that is was a dangerous precedence the history of trade unionism adding that it will cause chaos. The source questioned the reasons behind this move particularly in Lebanon where the number of domestic workers is three to four times less than in some of the remaining Arab countries.
Similarly to the public official viewpoint, the President of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL), Ghassan Ghosn, was also sarcastic and skeptical about the move, saying that solidarity should be expressed with the Lebanese workers who are still denied their rights in heath coverage and retirement pension. He also declared, “The intentions behind this move are not innocent but opportunistic the least to say,” and added, “The priority should be given to improving the social conditions of construction workers for example, and the Lebanese workforce in general, through extending the social security system and providing it with other benefits that will enhance living standards. (Al Diyar, Feb 7, 2015)

The National Committee for Lebanese Woman’s Affairs (NCLW) held its general assembly at its headquarters in Baabda to commemorate the Arab Woman’s Day on February 1. At the end of the meeting which was chaired by the President Randa Berri, a statement strongly condemning terrorism which has swept the world, particularly the Arab region, stressing the need to combat violence by eliminating illiteracy, poverty and violence against women.
The Committee also called for stepping up the necessary measures to encourage women to participate political, economic and development decision making processes. It also stressed the importance of alleviating the harsh living conditions of displaced and homeless people, especially women, children, handicapped and elderly, and pressed the international community to find solutions for the problem of refugees.
The Committee reiterated its solidarity with the Arab women who are facing violence and aggression on daily basis, especially the brave women of the Occupied Palestinian Territories who are resisting the oppressive Israeli Occupation. Similarly, the Committee called on Arab countries to further their action and implement international initiative and Arab agreements which they are party to, especially the CEDAW agreement. The committee demanded that new laws be enacted to ensure for women equality in rights and responsibilities and equal opportunity in various fields, and therefore boost the role of women in building the state and society. (Al Mustaqbal, Feb 7, 2015)

The Development Services Center of Kfar7azir and Dar Ba’shtar, located in Koura, and belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), organised an awareness-raising and training seminar on “gender-based violence” and on the “Bill for the Protection of Women and Family Members against Domestic violence”. The event was held in collaboration with KAFA and RET Liban and in the presence of president of MOSA Center, Jumana Khury, Program Assistant of the Women’s Support Program, Diala Da2bool, in addition to heads of various social associations and activists.
Khury outlined the health and humanitarian activities of the center, and particularly the specific project aimed at supporting the most vulnerable families. She also highlighted the continuing cooperation between the Center and various associations involved. On her part, the social assistant, Shereen Lakkeess, talked about violence as defined by the World Health Organization, listing the different types of violence, notably marital violence, and its direct and indirect impact on the physical, psychological and economic life of families.
From a legal perspective, Lawyer Marie Jean Sarraf pointed to conditions in Lebanon prior to the endorsement of the above law where women represented the weaker party who had to relinquish all her rights and return to her partner after being subjected to abuse. Sarraf clarified the concept of family and domestic violence and reviewed the various crimes stipulated by the Law No. 293, and pointed out to the procedures which the battered wife should follow in order to seek protection, including filing a grievance at the nearest police station and claiming the right for protection granted to her by the Law. (Al Diyar, Feb 9, 2015)

Minister of Public Health, Wael Abu Faour, announced in a press conference last week two new checklists for food safety and aimed at institutionalizing the campaign of Ministry. Abu Faoor was speaking after his meeting with economic groupings to discuss long-standing procedures for food safety to be distributed to hotels, restaurants and other relevant establishments. The agreed checklists included: one form for collecting food samples that will be used by both the Ministry’s inspectors and food entrepreneurs. The second represents a list of specifications and standards to be implemented by food enterprises. In light of the above guidelines, food establishments are requested to rectify the conditions within their establishments and to improve their food preparation and maintenance facilities, Abu Faoor noted that these checklists are now binding for both the Ministry and food enterprises alike and will be tested on a short pilot basis. For the complete checklist forms, please visit the following link: http://www.al-akhbar.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/20150203/doc20150203.pdf
(Annahar, Al Akhbar, Al Diyar, Feb 3, 2015).

Organizers of the “Arab Women and al Mustaqbal Forum - NAWF" held a press conference to announce the upcoming seventh session on February 26 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beirut.
The press conference opened with a speech by Chief Executive of Al Iktissad Wal-2a3mal Group, Raouf Abu Zaki Raouf Abou Zaki, who said: “the continuity of the forum was an indication of its success”. Honorary President of the Forum, MP Bahia Hariri, said: "The issue today is not about gender equality. Women are better off today, and they no longer seek equality with men; our Lebanese and Arab role models nowadays are women pioneers,” and added, “I am proud of them and of their role and achievements despite the difficult conditions and instability in the region”. Likewise, CEO and founder of the Forum, Nadine Abu Zaki, pointed out that the forum which has been identified with women entrepreneurs, has contributed to the empowerment of women to start their own businesses. Abu Zaki rounded up the main topics, namely,“a new era of prominent business women, funding as a key factor, innovation challenges facing women entrepreneursand a review of policies and procedures that provide a climate for innovation, in addition to sharing success stories. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, Feb 6, 2015)

The International Academy of Culinary Arts honored the Lebanese chef Nicola Awdeh who won the cooking competition award organized by the institute every year.  During the event hosted in the French capital, Paris, Awdeh prepared a mouthwatering assortment of Lebanese traditional gourmets which were widely acclaimed by the audience. Present were Academy representatives from France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Japan, Switzerland, Greece and others. The Academy which comprises 28 country members seeks to preserve and promote the traditional and ethnic cuisine from around the world.

Chief of the Lebanese Academy of Food Tasting, Fuad al Khazen, emphasized that gastronomy is an essential part of a nation’s culture and therefore should be maintained as such. Similarly, director general of the Academy, Walid Mzannar, underscored the role of the Lebanese cuisine in the life of the people, namely, the tabbouleh and houmos, which are still popular among the Lebanese diaspora. One key gender question that comes to the mind of the editor of this website: why is it that culinary chefs generally are men while women usually perform and excel in household cooking?!). (L’Orient Le Jours, Feb 5, 2015)