News

The World Bank noted that the formation of the new government is a positive development for the Lebanese economy.  The executive summary of the said report entitled “Recession in a highly volatile environment” which will be released during the month of April notes that Lebanon will face additional challenges in view of the unstable security situation as well as the impact of the on-going war in Syria which has negatively affected the trust of both consumers and investors.
According to the report, the Syrian crisis continues to affect growth which is expected to be less than Lebanon’s potentials on the short run.  The report expects a 1.5% growth this year assuming quick solutions are found to ensure political stability in Lebanon with the possibility of improvement, even if minor, in the security situation. The same report notes that one of the impacts of the Syrian crisis is in reducing income from investment and the degradation of the tourism sector which is considered to be a key pillar of the Lebanese economic growth as well as a source of employment.  The financial, health and educational sector are expected to face additional challenges with the continuous influx of refugees.  This, in addition to long term political stagnation, has had a negative impact on macro economy in Lebanon as the actual growth of GDP has not exceeded 0.9% in 2013 which is the worst performance since 1999.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 23 april 2014

Lawyer and presidential candidate Nadine Mussa held a press conference yesterday to announce her presidential programme entitled “A radical change is due”.  The event was held at the Press Syndicate yesterday and was attended by an overwhelmingly women audience.  Mussa considered that it is high time for a radical change and for challenging the obstacles to citizens aspirations for a a free and modern state and for building a new Lebanon that is desired by all.  Mussa highlighted that her primary concern is to serve citizens and nation and not to align herself to outdated sectarian lines which are clients to external forces.  She added that Lebanon needs a quantum leap based on a revision of the social contract and a strengthening of laws and Constitution.
Moussa added that she has lost hope in the political elite which has not been able to build a state and has never tried to improve the livelihoods of the Lebanese without practicing any discrimination.  She noted that she aspires for political stability and social justice and dreams of a Lebanon which strengthens and respects women’s positions.  She also called for the independence of the judiciary, and for an end to corruption, free medical care, a pension plan for the elderly, compulsory public education system and contemporary public transportation.  Mussa said that she will seek to strengthen the army and provide it with modern equipment and will also work towards an equitable distribution of resources as well as building a decentralized and secular state.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Akhbar, The Daily Star 23 April 2014

The Minister of Social Affairs (MOSA) announced in a statement yesterday the launch of the temporary Food Card issued by the programme to support the poorest families in Lebanon.  The initiative will kick off in Tripoli (Bab el Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen) and will subsequently move to the remainder areas of Lebanon.  The card is available to Lebanese families classified as the poorest according to the classification method of the programme.  The announcement also stated that this card is the result of the collaboration between the Ministry, MOSA, UNHCR, the World Food Programme and other parties who expressed their interest in supporting this service. This temporary card provides each family member with 30$ a month (but not exceeding USD 150 per family) through a magnetic prepaid card which can only be used to purchase foodstuff from pre-designated 270 shops spread all over Lebanon. Distribution will begin in June through those MOSA community centers which are implementing the programme to support the poorest families in Lebanon.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Diyar 23 April 2014

L'Orient le Jour interviewed the first woman candidate to the Presidency, Nadine Mussa, who expressed her disappointment with the current political powers who give primacy to their own individual interests over those of citizens, saying that she will announce her political program in a press conference that will be held today at the press syndicate.
Mussa is a lawyer and a mother of two girls.  She is a human rights defender who worked in civil society organisations for more than ten years.  She added that she was not able to see the results of her efforts namely in terms of legal reforms such as the law to combat corruption, the right to information, e-governance, civil status code, pension scheme, health for all, and food safety as all the law petitions were met with dead ends. Mussa added that for a state to be able to work properly, it needs to have adequate and fair laws which reflect the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
Mussa adds that building a state which enjoys the rule of law and which secures social justice is one of the pillars of her political programme and her vision. She promised to work on combatting corruption and on ensuring good governance which are conditions sine qua none for the building of modern and fair state for all citizens.
Source: L’Orient Le Jour 22 April 2014

The president of the  gathering of Lebanese Business Women, Leila Salhab, launched last week a project to create an environmental development council for Tripoli during a meeting she convened for in her private offices with the participation of Judge Nabil Sari, Engineer Majeda Sidawi, Fatmeh Badra the President of Lebanese Rehabilitation Welfare Association, Leila Dandashi, and Sleiman Sleiman`.  The purpose of this new initiative is to develop the capacities and resources of Tripoli as Ms. Salhab noted during the meeting.  She added that Tripoli is entitled to the concerted efforts of all working in civil society so as to draft a comprehensive environmental and development programme especially that the idea enjoys the full support of the Minister of Environment, Mohammed al Mashnouk.  She added that the Mohafez of North Lebanon. Nassif Kalushe, has welcomed the idea of the council and offered to host its headquartering at the Tripoli Serail.
Source: http://www.almustaqbal.com/v4/article.aspx?type=NP&ArticleID=613923">Al-Mustaqbal 22 April 2014

Patina’s organised last week an exhibition of women handicrafts in Beirut under the auspices of the president of the Future Women, Ms. Leila Fleifel el Turk, who attended the event and highlighted its importance in encouraging women gifted in making handicrafts in producing and in improving their livelihoods through enabling them to market their productions. The exhibition was open to the public for two days and included 40 different booths showcasing the hand made products for women including accessories, food, clothing, chocolates and painting.  Women who were able to sell their products expressed their gratitude to be able to partake in this event which allowed them to showcase their hand made goods as well as network with buyers.  This was particularly important for them since the women exhibitors do not have their own shops.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 22 April 2014

The Minister of Interior and Municipalities met last week with the Ambassador of the Philippines in Lebanon, Leah Ruiz, to discuss the situation of Filipino workers in Lebanon.  Following the meting, the Ambassador stated that the discussions dealt with the bilateral relations between the two countries and the relation of her embassy with the department of General Security in addition to ways of collaborating with the Ministry of Labor. The Ambassador thanked the Minister of Interior for the positive collaboration with the directorate general of General Security especially in dealing with the problems faced by workers in Lebanon and especially with regards to facilitating the crossing of Lebanese borders by those displaced from Syria whilst en route to the Beirut International Airport. Mashnouk highlighted for his part the importance of securing the best possible working conditions in Lebanon and he confirmed his commitment to making this possible.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 22 April 2014

At the time when Lebanese laws still deny women their basic rights as citizens, politicians continue to  support to women's rights in speeches they make during various political and social occasions but address these matters either partially or superficially while approaching women’s right in a partial or superficial manner and without giving due consideration to the fundamental principle of inclusive citizenship and full equality.
Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces leader presented his presidential programme yesterday where he highlighted his commitment to revising all laws affecting women’s rights or limiting their prospects for advancement, stating that "our commitment to women's rights is part of our commitment to human rights”. He also commended the growing public awareness and readiness to protect women when subjected to violence and discrimination.
Following the passing of the maimed law for the protection of women from domestic violence, the Minister of Interior and Municipalities Nihad Mashnook, discussed yesterday,with a delegation from Kaf, headed by Leila Awada, ways to uphold the role of security forces in the fight against domestic violence crimes, and the possibility of setting up all throughout Lebanon specialized centers for hostong and sheltering of women and children victims of domestic violence. Mashnook promised to follow up this matter with the Internal Security Forces and with other concerned institutions and associations.
Finally, and despite repeated failed attempts to incorporate women's quota in the electoral law, MP Robert Ghanem, expressed yesterday his support to this demand in a speech given during a conference  organized by Parliament in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation and entitled “Parliamentary Elections 2014 – Challenges and Opportunities”. For her part, Yara Nassar, the Executive Director of the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), gave an overview of the state of Lebanese women in political life, stating that despite the absence of any legal restrictions preventing women from running for elections, social and political factors, and the resistance of the key political parties remain the biggest obstacles to women’s access to political leadership positions

Source: Al- Diyar, Al-Mustaqbal, The Daily Star 17 April 2014

The Minister of Economy and Trade, Alain Hakim, and the Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Morabito, officially inaugurated the preparatory activities of the Lebanese Pavilion at the 2014 Milano Internation Exhibition and that during a joint press conference held at the grand serial yesterday.  The Italian ambassador noted that the exhibit will carry the slogan of “Feeding the planet, energy for life” and will seek to address the issues of sufficient, safe and sustainable nutrition for humanity especially since one of eight people suffer from starvation whilst 12% of the total inhabitant of the planet suffer from obesity and 800 million persons do not have access to clean drinking water.  He added that Lebanon’s participation in this event is a key step towards outreaching to international exhibitions.  The Ambassador noted that the Mediterranean region makes up a large proportion of the event which takes place over more than 7330 square meters and host, in addition to Lebanon, 11 countries from Africa, Asia and Europe.

Minister Hakim noted that this exhibition is an important opportunity to familiarize the world with the richness of the Lebanese cuisine and healthy culinary habits in addition to the art de vivre which has placed Lebanon amongst the best ten cuisines worldwide.  This, according to the Minister, has attracted tourism to Lebanon and boosted its identity.  He added that this event provides a historical opportunity for Lebanese food industries to enter new European markets through the customs and logistics facilities which will be made available throughout the exhibition.

The Minister also announced that an action plan has been put in place with all stakeholders and including the following points:

• The Ministry of Economy and Trade will divide the period of the exhibition and which extends over six months into trade weeks that will focus on specific food sector including wine, olive oil and its bi-products and others.  As such, he called on the Syndicate of food industrialists to pool its efforts and collaborate with the Ministry to visibilise it participation and specify the activities it will implement during the event.
• Creating a committee consisting of the departments and private and public institutions to ensure a comprehensive Lebanese participation and make optimal use of available resources.
• Accompany the Lebanese participation in the 2015 exhibition with daily and weekly cultural and artistic events which would attract visitors to the Lebanese pavilion and prompt them to try and buy its products
• Organise monthly artistic events jointly with Lebanese artists to familiarize visitors with Lebanon’s culture
• Dedicate one national day during the exhibition to Lebanon
• Communicate universities and hotel management schools and make the pavilion available for its students so that they can exhibit their creative work and introduce visitors to Lebanese cuisine

Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Mustaqbal 16 April 2014

Following the national conference on “Human Security, Freedom from Fear and Want” which was organized by the Lebanese Women’s Council in 24 and 25 February 2014, and which was covered by WEEPortal on 25/2/2014, the Council organized yesterday a workshop to draw mechanisms for implementing the recommendations of the Conference.  The event was held at the UNESCO palace under the auspices of former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, represented by his wife, May Mikati.  The sessions discussed the concepts of human security and the obstacles facing freedom from fear and want.  Five sessions were organized and covered the topics of: the role of the media in influencing fear in public opinion, the future of the food basket, development and civil peace, opportunities for interventions within a situation of poverty and demobilization, public education, and women’s rights in conflict situations.

Once again, the recommendation of the workshop focused on “demanding that the media exercise self censorship through refraining from disseminating material calling for hate and work towards building a public opinion that is immune to the fear tactics of politicians and which can only lead to civil strife”.  New recommendations focused on promoting the use of social media to serve civil peace especially in relation to furthering awareness on who the real enemy is and what are the real risks and dangers.  The recommendations also included a call on relevant Ministries to ensure a safe environment that is conducive for child development and education away from fear and in collaboration with the family and with educational institutions and also strengthening civic education and finding mechanisms for protecting children from violence and from all forms of aggression.  In addition the workshop called for developing human resources with expertise in education and psychology to help resolve children’s psychological and educational problems at school in addition to a permanent coordination with schools and parents in order to strengthen good habits and rightful values.
Source: NNA, Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar 16 April 2014

For more information about the national conference, please refer to the previously published news on the WEEPortal;
Conference of the Lebanese Council for Women entitled: “Human security: freedom from fear and need”, on 25/2/2014
The Lebanese Women’s Council’s Conference on “Human Security: Freedom from Fear and Need” concludes with many recommendations, on 11/3/2014