News

An Nahar newspaper published a report on the demands of the women’s movement notably in terms of political participation and involvement in decision making processes.  The article concludes that the pervasive patriarchal mentality is a main obstacle towards women’s political participation according to tow of the pioneers of the movement, namely long-time activist Linda Matar and university profession and president of the association of Lebanese University Women Ilham al Kallab Bsat.
Matar shared her fear regarding the future of Lebanon as it struggles with a serious crisis and noted that women’s participation in the upcoming cabinet is not more important than the situation of the country.  She clarified that the situation of Lebanon now does not mean that women’s participation is not important.  However, she wondered about which women are we actually talking about and which Ministry can women take on? Matar questioned the legitimacy of the next Cabinet and noted that she did not accompany the Delegation of the Lebanese Women Council who visited the president of the Republic to demand the appointment of women in the next Cabinet.  She explained that this is because the President himself is not against women’s participation in the cabinet, but, “what can he do? Can he translate this into action?” She finally noted that the women’s movement in Lebanon is similar to the political circles which have not been able to accomplish anything.
Ilham Kallab Bsat noted for her part that those who are lobbying for women’s political participation are facing a brick wall which is the political greed and the co-option of political work by men.  She spoke further about the ways in which men in Lebanon hold on to political power with which they are obsessed in addition to being fearful of competing with women who have proven themselves in public life.  Bsat added that patriarchy in Lebanon is intimately linked to confessionalism and noted that politics is envisaged as access to power rather than the desire to contribute to public service.  She also spoke about how political, family and confessional structures concur to choose men to represent them whilst patriarchal mentalities prevail as men are appointed to take power over all political alliances.  Bsat concluded by saying that women are often blamed and accused of not wanting power and that women do not recognize other women as being more competent for a political office.  However, she adds, these divisions require a different way of working so as to pressure men to adopt a quota for women.
Source: Al-Nahar 24 January 2014

Bashar al Kouatly, the director of Ibdaa3 association, presented the poverty reduction strategy of his group, that was implemented in Lebanon during the last 18 months with AGFUND support, and that is during the launch of a new micro credit bank for combating poverty in the Philippines.  Al Kouatly noted that Ibdaa3 currently has 5 branches across Lebanon and has reached to date 3500 beneficiaries.  He added that Ibdaa3 is targeting to reach 10,000 beneficiaries during a one year period.  He also highlighted that most of Ibdaa3’s beneficiaries are women and young people.
Source: Al-Nahar 24 January 2014

Following the memorandum which was issued a few days ago by the Acting State Prosecutor at Court of Cassation Judge Samir Hammoud and whereby women who leave their home are now considered “missing” rather than “fugitives”, Kafa’s lawyer Leila Awada noted that this revision was one of the outcomes of the round tables organized by Kafa with the participation of jurists, lawyers and members of the security forces.  Awada highlighted some of the positive aspects of this new memorandum.  Indeed, when women were considered to be “fugitives”, they were subjected to detention and humiliation.  Now, men cannot accuse their wives of being “fugitives” and a report of a missing person will be issued instead.  She noted that the present law does not criminalize the act of women leaving their households but that this was rather a practice.  As such, this memorandum will formalise and correct this practice.

During its roundtable discussions, Kafa insisted that the search warrant for women reported missing can be maintained so as to ensure that these women are alive and safe but they should not be arrested and taken into custody as common criminals.  Hence, an agreement was made to replace the status of fugitive by that of missing.  With this new measure, Awada maintains that the authorities form now on will issue a search warrant for women but will not divulge their whereabouts to their husbands should they be able to find them.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Akhbar 24 January 2014

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was announced yesterday between several UN agencies working in Lebanon namely UNDP, UNHCR, UNRWA, WFP and UNICEF and the Ministry of Industry whereby these agencies active in emergency assistance commit to buying products from local Lebanese factories.  The MoU was exchanged during a meeting held at the offices of the Minister of Industry, Frej Sabounjian, with the participation of UN Resident Representative, Robert Watkins, and UNIDO Regional Representative, Cristiano Pasini.
Sabounjian considered this to be a major achievement that will have major returns as it will allow local factories to sell their products while providing incentives to local factories to increase their production and to meet the new demand as well to develop new lines of products.  The MoU will also allow Lebanese merchants to import products which are not currently available in Lebanon.
Sabounjian also added that his Ministry will organise a workshop on February 13th to familiarize stakeholders with the calls for offers and procurement procedures.  The Ministry will invite to this planned workshop participants such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrialists Association, Merchants Associations, and various syndicates.  In addition, the Ministry will be opening a special office to provide necessary information on the calls for offers and how to participate in placing bids.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar 23 January 2014

The Acting State Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud at Court of Cassation signed yesterday an official memorandum addressed to judges and where women who leave their homes will now be considered as “missing” rather than “fleeing” as used to be recorded earlier in the court cases against women in these situations.

The memorandum specifically indicates that when women were reported as having fled their homes, a search warrant used to be issued against them and they would be subjected to arrest detention and humiliation.  Now, with this new measure, the police will only look for women and ensure that they are OK and safe from harm.

However, and according to lawyer Nizar Saghieh, this new measure is but a ruse to catch women who have left their husband.  It also legitimizes the principle of men issuing a complaint against their wives in case they leave their house without the husband’s consent.  Saghieh insists that this will not change the situation of women who remain unable to leave home without their husband’s consent.

Source: Al-Safir 23 January 2014

Al Mustakbal newspaper published a report on poultry production farms in Hasbaya, Arkoub and Marjeyoun which have significantly increased in number during the past few years since residents discovered in poultry a lucrative alternative to the usage their land that compensate for the losses they suffered in their crop yields.  As a result, more then 35 poultry farms have already been established with a total capacity of 400,000 chickens.
The majority of poultry farmers in the area noted that despite the absence of subsidies, various risks related to poultry production namely diseases, 75% rise in the cost of chicks, 15% in the cost of bird feed, absence of external markets and no waiver on taxes, the retail price of chicken on the market remain relatively good because of the increase in demand resulting from the growing influx of Syrian displaced which positively affected demand and consumption.  According to Hafiz al Khalil from Rashaya al Fakhar who owns one poultry farm of 5000 chickens, poultry production is a high risk business because any disease affliction can kill up to thousands of birds at once.  He also pointed out to the absence of a benchmark pricing by the state, whereas market prices are instead dictated by two big private companies. El Khalil demanded that the Ministry of Agriculture gives more attention to poultry production in this region of Lebanon through providing veterinary medicines, medical check-ups and extension services and so as to relieve poultry farmers from some of the costs of their production.  For his part, Labib al Hamra, an owner of a poultry farm in Hasbaya and Rashaya al Fakhar with a capacity of more than 75,000 chickens noted that the increase in poultry farms came in response to rising demand, availability of bank loans and the decent profit margin that the sector offers.  He noted that finding external markets is still a major challenge for the future but that for the time the local market is able to absorb the current level of production.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 22 January 2014

The agricultural sector in Lebanon was able to overcome the economic crisis that hit most the other sectors in 2013 and recorded a notable increase of 5.8% compared to 2012, when it grew by only 1.9% compared to 2011, and decreased in 2011 by 12.5% compared to 2010. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Customs authorities, growth in this sector was not only recorded in exports of fruits and vegetables but also those channeling through Agri Plus programme which has registered an increase of 14% in 2013 with exports reaching 519 thousand tons compared to 455 thousand tons in 2012, and 400 thousand tons in 2011, and this according to information provided by the Minister of Agriculture Hussein Hajj Hasan and IDAL’s GM Nabil Itani during their joint press conference held at the Ministry of Agriculture last week.
Hajj Hassan also noted that his Ministry will continue its efforts in 2014 to increase the volume of exports to Europe whilst highlighting that exports by land stopped for only a few days because of the Syrian crisis, but was more affected by the doubling of transportation costs. He also revealed that sea freight has increased by 40% in 2013.
Itani presented for his part the main results of the Agri Plus programme noting that exports of potato in 2013 came in first reaching 198 thousand tons and representing 38% of the total exported quantities. Potato was followed by the exports of apple (79,200 tons) and citrus (78,000 tons), each representing 15% of the total agricultural export via Agri Plus programme.  He also noted that most exports were to Zone B (i.e. all Arab countries excluding Jordan and Syria) which attracted 69% of total exports whereas 30% of exports were directed to Zone A (Syria and Jordan).  He added that exports of olive oil almost doubled compared to 2012 and reached 2,505 tons of which 50% were exported to Zone D (i.e. North and South America and Australia) which are considered new markets for Lebanese products.  Finally, Itani indicated that IDAL is engaging with the Ministry of Finance in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture so as to repay farmers their subsidies for the exports recoded during the last 6 months of 2012; subsidies which have totaled 17 billion Lebanese Pounds, adding that the settlement of payments is being done regularly although the resignation of the Cabinet in early 2013 has somewhat affected the payment schedule.
Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Safir, Al-Akhbar, Al-Nahar, 18 January 2014)

An Nahar newspaper published an interview with the Dean of the School of Public Health at the Lebanese University, Dr. Nina Zeidan, about the midwifery specialty offered at the University and the attempt to strengthen this profession through the establishment of a Syndicate to protect the rights of midwives.
Zeidan noted that 75 students register every year at the school of midwifery which is spread in 5 locations across Lebanon.  Of these, 50 to 55 complete their midwifery training which includes a practicum period implemented in selected hospitals where students have to attend to pregnant women.  The practicum period can delay graduation as in some areas; the trainees are not able to attend to the required number of pregnant women. Zeidan also added that students are required to follow various courses including political sciences, women’s mental, physical and psychological health as well maternal and child health.  In addition, students are also exposed to ethics and communication as well as sciences such as chemistry, statistics, biology, genetics, and nursing.
Zaidan clarified that midwives can only practice after they receive certification from the Ministry of Public Health which requires the completion of four years of university education as well as a number of practicum hours.  Meanwhile, and with regards to the establishment of the Syndicate of midwives, she pointed out that the parliamentary commission has already endorsed the related law which includes various items such as the mandate of the Syndicate, the eligibility criteria for membership, the regulation of the general assembly, the mandate of the board of the Syndicate and that of its president, its specialized committees, that of the disciplinary board, the election of the founding board and the establishment of the pension and gratuities fund.
Zeidan finally stressed the importance of the Syndicate in protecting the rights of midwives and regulating the profession.  Although midwives have the possibility to work on their own, in a hospital or in a maternity clinic, yet, there is a need for a better regulation of the profession as well as for putting in place clear disciplinary mechanism.  Finally, it should be noted that there are currently around 1400 certified midwives in Lebanon and a few remaining traditional midwives who still operate in remote rural areas.
Source: Al-Nahar 22 January 2014

An Nahar newspaper published a report about the Rural Development and Agro-industry Cooperative in Akkar-Dinnyeh and which was established by the Safadi Foundation in Deir Dulum in Akkar.  This region is considered to be the prime agricultural region of North Lebanon; a region which relies on agriculture as its major economic resource.  The cooperative organisation is working within the slogan of “agriculture for sustainable growth”  which, according to As Safadi general director Riad Alameddine aims at achieving the following: building and strengthening the capacities of farmers and their families, creating new economic opportunities to curtail rural migration to urban areas and  increasing farmers’ competitiveness through strengthening the quality of their production chain, facilitating access to local and external markets, in addition to safeguarding a healthy environment and to encouraging sustainable agriculture.
The cooperative is currently involved in several activities through its four divisions which include a) a centre to process agricultural products that produces and markets pomegranate molasses, b) a packaging centre for citrus fruits as well as other fruits that is operating according to international standards and exporting to KSA, UAE, Syria and Iraq, c) a honey processing workshop which receives the raw supply from farmers and then processed into honey discs and jars, and finally d) a greenhouse for hydroponics cultivation which was set up with funding from the USAID and which aims to introduce farmers to this new agriculture technologies.  With regards to the latter, the cooperative has noted that in 2013, more than 90 farmers were able to have a first harvest of pepper bells of various colors.  In addition, the vertical farming technology will soon be used to plant strawberries.
Source: Al-Nahar 22 January 2014

The endemic gap between rich and poor continues to widen thus constituting a serious global risk in 2014 notwithstanding the slow start of economic recovery in a number of countries.  Indeed, widening income gap, and its accompanying social unrest, is likely to have a major impact on the global economy in the coming decade.  This was the main conclusion of the annual risk assessment report prepared by the World Economic Forum in preparation for its 44th annual conference planned to be held in Davos between 22 and 25 January, and entitled “The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business”.
The sixty-page report reviews some 31 risks of a global nature which can potentially have a negative impact on the global economy in the next decade.  The report classifies these risks into five main categories namely economic, environmental, geopolitical, social and technological.  The risks are assessed on the basis of their potential occurrence and impact.  According to experts, the most likely to occur risks are the following: growing income gap, severe weather conditions, imbalances in employment, climate change and cyber attacks.
The report includes a review of three specific risk cases namely the increasing risk of cyber attacks, more complications in the geopolitical factors, growing youth unemployment and limited job opportunities.  The report also highlights the double-risk challenges confronting the adult population in productive age and linked to rising unemployment and prohibitive costs of education and reviews their expected impact on political and social stability and economic development.  The report also provides insights as to how these risks can be mitigated especially since more than 50% of the global youth population is seeking employment whereas informal employment remains dominant in developing countries which include 90% of the world youth.
Within this same vein, Swiss Re's Group Chief Risk Officer David Cole, noted that the younger generation in advanced countries continues to struggle within a contest of a shrinking job market and a mismatch between available skills and market needs.  Cole called for including the youth in discussions aimed at finding solutions in harmony with their circumstances, and the creation of appropriate educational systems and effective job markets.
The report zooms in on four key risks which are likely to affect global stability within the next decade namely a) mistrust of and uncertainty in emerging markets, b) trade and political divergences amongst countries, c) increase in the number of low intensity conflicts, and d) slow progress in addressing global challenges given the continuous blockage within global governance institutions which will undoubtedly reflect in further failure to adequately address environmental and development challenges.
Source: The Daily Star 17 January, Info Mubasher website 18 January 2014