News

The programme of Arabic language and literature at the Lebanese American University organized a conference for journalist and poet Jumana Haddad on the difference in addressing erotica and porn literature in Arabic literature based on the gender of the writer.  The event was under the auspices of Dr. Latif Zaituni and was organized yesterday at the LAU Business School at the Beirut Campus.  Haddad discussed the discriminatory nature of the terminology “women literature”.  She argued that “feminist literature”, or literature that addresses inequality, discrimination, patriarchy, and sexual minorities, is an acceptable and logical concept.  However, Haddad added that “women literature” referring to literature produced by women and the concept is still considered erroneous and refuted and has no consideration in literature.
Haddad also refers to literature on sex in the Arab world through highlighting Arab cultural heritage which is rich with volumes that deal freely and in an uninhibited way with sex such as the writings of Egyptian Imam Jalal el Dine al Sayooti.  She also referred to her experience in publishing “Al Jassad” (i.e. Body” magazine) and the negative social and religious views of erotica.  Haddad noted that erotica does not exist in the Arabic literature unlike French or English literature.  She also doubted that this will be possible in the near future because of the overall environment in the region and which is characterized by an increase in religious extremism.  She also condemned the present censorship measures, widespread in the Arab world, that are suppressing creativity.
Source: Al-Nahar 26 March 2014

The committee of migrant domestic workers, which is affiliated to the National Federation of Trade Unions and employees in Lebanon, celebrated women and mother’s day yesterday at the UNESCO palace in collaboration with the ILO.  This activity was organized within the framework of the project entitled “Strengthening laws to protect migrant domestic workers rights” and which is funded by the European Union.  
Gemma Gusto spoke on behalf of the Committee and called for raising awareness of migrant workers and providing them with protection in addition to equality and justice.  She added that their demands are about the basic rights as in the international charter for human rights.  Emmeh Wobandalin also intervened on behalf of the workers and called on the Lebanese state to codify their profession and allow them to have democratic unions as well as abolish the sponsorship system and treat them with dignity upon arrival at the airport as well as exercising justice in cases of disease or death.  She also asked the countries of origin to organize training workshops to migrant workers in order to introduce them to bilateral agreements with Lebanon as well as regulating employment and pressure for legal protection in Lebanon.  Both speakers called on employers to define working hours, as well as recognize right to rest namely the right to annual holidays and one day off per well as well as a halt of all forms of physical, verbal and sexual violence and protect them from dangerous tasks.  The event also included speeches delivered by Frank Hagemann, ILO Deputy Regional Director, Castro Abdallah, the head of the Federation of Workers and Employees Unions in Lebanon (FENASOL), Mounir Deek, the councilor of Sejaan Azzi the Minister of Labor, who all reiterated their support to the demand of the Committee and their endorsement of the importance of the law.
In a related vein, the current Minister of Labor, Sejaan Azzi, met last week with a joint Consular delegation from African countries with which he discussed the entry of their respective migrant workers to Lebanon.  The delegation which included representatives of a number of countries, namely: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal, Chad, Togo, and called for the signing of  protocols between Lebanon and sending countries as well as for registering contracts at the workers’ respective embassies and specifying their rights and responsibilities.  Azzi warned against the existing mafias in both Lebanon and countries of origin and promised to review the demands and of the Delegation.  He invited the Consuls to present their demands in a memo so that these can be duly addressed.
On the other hand, the judicial detachment of Tripoli received a complaint on March 17th lodged by an Ethiopian worker accusing a staff of an employment agency in Kusba, with rape.  The defendant was arrested along with his secretary after subjecting the plaintiff to a medical exam which revealed bruises in various parts of her body and comparing her description with that of the defendant.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Akhbar, Al-Nahar, Al-Akhbar, Al-Safir 24 March 2014

The Minister of Economy and Trade Alain Hakim, represented by the Ministry’s head of external relations, Rafif Berro, inaugurated yesterday the Conference for the employment promotional campaign “Euro Business Opportunities” in Beirut. Emmanuel Nutary, the director of ANIMA Investment Network kicked off the event with a speech highlighting the projects which are of interest to the European Union in a number of countries namely Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia as they provide opportunities for job creation.  These include agriculture, energy, environment and tourism.  The president of Berytech, Marun Chammas, pointed out to the success of the projects undertaken by the Berytech Fund 1 and which benefited more than 15 companies thus creating in turn 60 new employment opportunities in the ICT sector.  He announced the launch of the Berytech Fund 2 which will be operational during the coming two months, adding that the Central Bank has allocated via memorandum 331 a sum of some USD 600 million for emerging companies, and which will be allocated via various investment funds including Berytech.

The EU representative, Marcelo Mura, noted that the EU is supporting innovation and is contributing to the development of small and medium enterprises as well as emerging and expatriates companies which should help improving Euro-Mediterranean relations.  He confirmed that the size of the current project agreements between Lebanon and the EU total some Euros 150 million most of which are invested in the private sector.  Berro reiterated that the Ministry of Industry and Trade gives particular consideration to strengthen small and medium enterprises through the creation of business holders such as Berytech and others.  He added that the government is working on creating a number of systems which would provide incentives and a conducive environment for businesses and ICT especially through developing a related five year strategy.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal 24 March 2014

As Safir newspaper published a report about the challenges facing livestock breeders in Koura as they are trying to secure feed and vaccines from their own resources given the absence of any support from the part of the state, and amidst the greed of traders who buy milk at less than the production cost.  According to Tony Youssef, owner of a cows’ farm in Kura, assistance for this sector is distributed to farmers selectively and to some areas and not others.  He adds that some areas have received milk refrigerators, milking machines and pasteurization vessels while Kura received none.  The president of the agricultural centre in Kura, agronomist Marwa Hammud noted that there are projects and campaigns funded by international organizations and which cover feeds and vaccines and these are implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture according to the available means.  Hammud also noted that some vaccination campaigns are not carried continuously thus forcing livestock breeders to buy their own vaccines when they need them during periods when these are not covered by campaigns.  She added that the new vaccination campaign will kick off again in a month.  With regards to animal feeds, she noted that distribution is often faced with the problem of the limited capacities of warehouses which are not able to receive all donations in kind.

The report also relays other challenges which prevent the Ministry of Agriculture from implementing all its projects namely the fact that the Ministry’s technical team comprises only one technician covering the entire North Lebanon area whereas the normal institutional structure entails having one veterinary doctor and one veterinary technician for each area.  She added that post for Becharri area is still presently vacant and is covered by Hammud for the moment in addition to her work in Koura and whilst awaiting the official memo to fill vacant posts with those who have successfully completed the civil service exams.

As Safir newspaper also noted in a separate report that fodder crops is harshly suffering from climate change and low level of precipitation according to agronomist and head of Terbol municipality Fadi Khoury.  Khoury noted a drastic decrease in the total surface area planted with fodder crops which will undoubtedly have a sever impact on production.  This is bound to lead to large importations of fodder crops at higher costs thus increasing the cost of local dairy products.  According to Khoury, low level of rains is expected to cause a 50% drop in the total surface area of cultivated fodders thus decreasing the total area under production to 50000 dunums this year.  
Source: Al-Safir 22, Al-Safir 24 March 2014

For more information about the seminars held by MoAg last week, please refer to the news piece published previously on WEEPortal:
The Ministry of Agriculture organises two extension seminars in Koura and Akkar on livestock and olives protection, on 17/3/2014

Speaker of the House Nabih Berri issued a special statement on the occasion of Mothers' Day.  In a public event honoring mothers yesterday, MP Michel Moussa spoke on behalf of Mr. Berri and highlighted his commitment to issue the law to protect women from domestic violence.  Berri further adds that honoring Lebanese mothers will be through securing their rights and ensuring equality with men.  He noted that the law to protect women from domestic violence and which was endorsed by Parliamentary Commission is a promising legislative step.  He hoped that this law will be issued in a rightful format which will prevent aggression on women and will protect them from violence.  He also added that honoring women will be in the implementation of CEDAW, in the realization of women's citizenship and in finding employment for their children scattered around the world in search for work and in stopping the migration of the youth.
It is to be noted that addressing the issue of violence against women should bring back to our attention other forms of legal and moral violence against women particularly against those who are denied the right to transmit nationality to their children.  It is our since hope that women will be able to truly celebrate next year mothers' day after securing their right to transmit nationality.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar 21 March 2014

The Loubnanyoun association organised yesterday a seminar entitled "Women in Politics".  The event was held at the Press Syndicate and was attended by representatives of several Lebanese political parties including the Lebanese Forces, Al Marada, the Future Movement, Amal party, the PSP and others.  
In her key note address, the organisation's President, Nadine Daher noted that Arab women are way ahead of Lebanese women in terms of political participation due to the unified strategies of the Arab women's movement.  She pointed out to the challenges facing women's political participation in Lebanon.  Other speakers in the event included Wafa Abed representing the women branch of the PSP who called for supporting women's political rights.  She was followed by Maya Sukkar representing the Lebanese Forces, Mirna Zakharia representing al Marada, Afifah al Sayyed representing the Future movement, Youmna Gemayel representing the Phalangists and Mariam Shami representing the women's affairs bureau of the Amal Movement.  The event was concluded by an address from media representative, Ramza Assaf, who highlighted the central role of women in building society while stressing the ability of women to take on high level political positions.
Source: Al-Nahar 21 March 2014

African Koaci website reported that six African migrant women workers are being subjected to physical abuse in Nabatyeh and are being detained against their will.  TV station LBCI had also reported from the same source information about calls received from two of the six workers who indicated that they were beaten after attempting to flee the houses where they work.  The same sources confirmed that one of the workers was beaten more than once by the employment agency run by an individual called Safi Kamal whom, according to the women workers, "runs a mafia".  LBCI noted that Safi beat one of the workers twice after she asked to leave her employers' house who abuses her and after he found a cell phone in her possession.  She also added that Safi forbids her from traveling.
In an interview with LBCI, Safi refuted the allegations that migrant workers were beaten but noted that this is simply to teach women to be "polite" before they are sent to their employers' houses to work.  He also denied that the work conditions were harsh or that migrant women workers are forbidden to move outside their employers' houses or make phone calls.
LBCI conducted a call to Safi on the next day with the caller pretending to be an African worker asking about some of her entitlements and whereby he responded that "there are no holidays, no outings and no phone calls".  He also confirmed that the worker should be completely submissive and totally scared from being "returned" to the employment office.  To be noted that the Public Prosecution has now initiated an investigation on this matter.
On another vein, the committees of women migrant workers affiliated to the National Federation of Trade Unions and employees in Lebanon will be celebrating next Sunday international women's day and mothers' day with the slogan "for equality for all women... for equality for all workers". The group will organise a cultural event at the UNESCO palace which will include dancing, handicrafts, and preparation of traditional cuisine.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Akhbar 21 March 2014

On the occasion of mothers' day (March 21st), As Safir newspaper published a report highlighting the cases of special mothers who have experienced the predicaments of their children or who have lost their children because of a disease or car accident and who have thus transformed their personal tragedies into boarder humanitarian and societal issues.  The report relays the stories of four women who set up NGOs to mark their love for their children and to build communication networks amongst other women suffering from similar plights.
Anne Marie Jazzar al Hajj, the president of Un Coeur Pour Philippe, is Philippe's mother who died because of a heart failure.  She notes that since she was not able to save her son, she feels extreme happiness in saving other children's lives.  She adds that her organisation has thus far cared for nine patients to whom it has provided the pacemaker device which cost ranges between USD 90 to 100 thousand.  Zeina Kassem, the president of Roads for Life - the Talal Kassem Fund for Post-Accident care, notes that her organisation was created after her son Talal died in a car accident.  Her organisation now works with doctors and first aid workers and trains them on state of the art programmes adopted in some 70 countries to save patients during "the golden hour" which is the sixty minutes directly following the injury.  She notes that 200 doctors were trained since the establishment of the organization in 2011, in addition to 100 first aid workers trained in 2013 alone.  The member of the Lebanese Down Syndrome Association Hana Salem shares her experience with her 23 year old daughter Zeina who has Down Syndrome.  She talks about the creation of her association in 1998 with the aim of providing support to parents as well as create a communication network amongst them and with organisations in addition to focusing on scientific research.  She highlighted the success of her organisation during the past few years particularly in challenging myths related to Down Syndrom as well as facing social stereotypes and supporting children in this condition.  The President of the Lebanese Autism Society –LAS Arwa Al Amine Halaoui talks about the idea of creating her organisation and which comes from her own experience with her son Abbas, now 24 years old, and the experience of other parents and the need to share this and accompany children with autism and raise social awareness on this condition. All those interviewed note that the activities of their organisations may not lessen the pain or compensate losses; however, their pain makes them feel more empathy towards others.
Source: Al-Safir 21 March 2014

As Safir newspaper published a report last week on global traditional nutritional patterns versus industrial patterns which follow market rules and the interest of industrialists and traders.  The latter patterns have resulted in major shifts away from natural nutritional patterns which are in harmony with the land, climate and environment according to the author of the report.  The report notes that climate change and nutritionally related diseases have prompted experts in environment, climate and health to research traditional modes of livelihoods and nutrition.  The author adds that new nutrition studies and researches confirm that traditional non processed food consumed by rural communities are rich on nutritional ingredients which cannot be found in industrially processed food which are mostly consumed in middle to high income countries.

The report points out to the traditional nutritional pattern in Lebanon and the Mediterranean area which is based essentially on grains notably whole-wheat used for producing bread in addition to olives, olive oil, natural and dried fruits as well meat which is consumed occasionally and in relatively small quantities.  The author adds that these are all arable agricultural products which do not need much water for irrigation and have been selected after years of trial and experimentation as they are in harmony with the climate, soil and overall environment.  As such, the whole system is harmonious with the environment.  However, traditional living patterns have been distorted with the introduction of processed food and hydrogenated oils as well as carbohydrates which have had a negative impact on health and facilitated the spread of diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol and arteriosclerosis.
 The report further highlights the increased awareness amongst communities in developing countries on the merits of traditional grains which used to be planted by original communities and which are loosing ground in favor of industrial and commercial agriculture.  This poses a serious problematic namely: why are communities worldwide encouraged to follow the western nutritional pattern which has devastating effects when many nutritional experts advise that it is better to follow traditional nutritional patterns?

The report conclude by advising that going back to traditional nutrition has the merit of improving health and protecting the environment although there is a problem of non availability of markets for such products. According to the same article, Lebanon has regretfully also abandoned its traditional nutritional pattern and favored industrial and commercial food which provide poor nutrition but favor profits from drug and fertilizer companies which have polluted the soil and brought in vulnerability to diseases.
Source: Al-Safir 17 March 2014

The Lebanese Minister of Industry, Dr. Hussein Hajj Hassan, invited the Industrial Research Institute IRI and the Lebanese Cleaner Production Center to develop a sustainable production strategy which is based on the rational use of resources in order to limit pollution, control prices and eventually help industrialists to strengthen their competitiveness.  Hajj Hassan spoke during the event organised yesterday to distribute certificates on experts and industrial institutions which completed the "Cleaner Production Programme" that is implemented by the centre in collaboration with UNIDO and the Austrian Embassy.  Hajj Hassan noted in his key speech that production and industry are indicators of country advancement and development.  He added that the objective for Lebanon is to adopt the sustainable production strategy at low cost, while insisting on the importance of working towards equitable trade through strengthening mutual relations with Arab and foreign countries, and based on clear terms that are primarily beneficial to Lebanese production.
Hajj Hassan noted that high production costs in Lebanon are due to the adoption of a rent based general economic policy and particularly in terms of favoring the development of the real estate sector which has led to the galloping rise of real estates prices without adopting any corresponding control mechanisms on real estate profits (including higher taxation on profits).  He added that particular circles of interest are collectively blocking any attempt for reform on this front.  The other reason for high production costs, according to Hajj Hassan, relates to the high cost of energy in Lebanon.  He criticised the stalling strategies of some politicians who are delaying the process of oil extraction for petty political reasons.
 The event also included speeches given by IRI director, Bassam al-Furn, Director of Lebanese Cleaner Production Centre, Ali Yaacoub, Austrian Ambassador, Ursula Fahringer, and Nada Sabra, representing UNIDO Regional Representative Cristiano Bassini.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Diyar, Al-Akhbar 20 March 2014