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Women strongly present in Lebanese demonstrations despite male intimidation

6-11-2019

In its issue of today, L’Orient Le Jour highlighted the role of women in the ongoing popular uprising which broke up on October 17, including the systematic masculine opposition to their move. Women who were in the front lines of the demonstrations, the newspaper wrote, were not discouraged by the intimidation campaigns criticizing their participation, especially those launched by supporters of the political regime in the streets and on social media platforms, as activists said. L’Orient Le Jour reminded its readers of the strong female presence in the human and women’s rights campaigns led by women from civil society organizations, and it also lauded their influence which was evident in the current protests, on the level of decision-making or in logistic coordination. Most of the banners and slogans hoisted by demonstrators were reportedly designed by women, the newspaper cited activists as saying. Likewise, activist and actress Nada Abu Farhat, explained that the motto of the revolts, ‘Revolution against fear’, is not directed to the macho mindset only, but is also intended to inspire women to break free of fear and boldly stand up for their rights. For her part, activist Rein Ahmad, stressed that female activists joining the demos tried hard to keep in check the aggressive language and terminology used by some demonstrators and replace them by signs advocating basic rights which they also share and defend. Ahmad clarified that some parties charged them responsible for those slogans only to bully them. For her part, activist Halima Qaqour, said the participation of women in the uprising has alarmed the backers of the ruling class who resorted to all forms of physical, mental and sexual violence to blemish their image. She mentioned especially the harmful and abusive comments on social media, and warned that all such campaigns will not stop or weaken their determination to claim their natural rights. (L’Orient Le Jour, November 6, 2019)

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Lebanese businessman and women call for an economic rescue plan

6-11-2019

The Gathering of Lebanese Businessmen and Businesswomen (RDCL) urged on October 31 the international community, specifically international donors, to support Lebanon in order to prevent its total collapse. To this effect, RDCL proposed the following: 1) inject foreign currency liquidity in the Lebanese markets; 2) assist in reducing interest rates; 3) create an international structure and fund to strengthen Lebanese importers and facilitate their repayment to foreign suppliers in the local currency; 4) develop a mechanism and a strategic steering committee which includes the international community, the World Bank, IMF and donors, international financial auditing companies, Lebanese civil society, the business sector and representatives of the legislative and executive authorities to attract the projected funds from donor countries and inject them in the local market; 5) immediate launch of privatization undertakings, and 6) embark on preparations for CEDRE projects through the caretaker government. (Al Diyar, November 1, 2019)

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“My City, My Space" for addressing violence against women

6-11-2019

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, and in collaboration with the Arab Institute for Women at LAU, ESCWA is organizing a regional youth arts competition ending on December 10. Titled, ‘My City, My Space’, the competition calls on young people under 25 years to use art in order to address the theme, through paintings, drawings, photography, videos, songs, poems and music. The title was chosen to focus on confronting violence against women in the public sphere, be it in urban spaces, schools, the workplace or on public transport. For those wishing to participate, they are invited to email their original art work to aiw@lau.edu.lb. Registration starts on November 25 via http://www.aiw.lau.edu.lb and are uploaded to social media using the hashtags #ESCWA, #16DaysCompetition and #Ai4women. (Al Akhbar, November 6, 2019)

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Murderer of British diplomat, Rebecca Dykes, sentenced to death

5-11-2019

Mount Lebanon Criminal Court, headed by Judge Mohamad Wissam Mortada, pronounced its verdict in the case of rape and murder of British diplomat Rebecca Dykes, on January 16, 2017 (: https://bit.ly/36yBspo). Tarek Samir Houshieh, (born in 1988) was sentenced to death after he was convicted of deliberate rape and premeditated killing of the victim. He was also fined with LBP 100 million in personal compensation to the father of the victim, noting that the sum will be allocated to the charitable foundation founded in Rebecca’s memory to help refugees and vulnerable host communities in the country. In this respect, the British Embassy in Lebanon welcomed the Court’s decision, while stressing the British government’s solid stand against capital punishment. The embassy also thanked the Lebanese authorities, individuals and organizations for their professional and sympathetic response to the murder. (Al Diyar, November 2, 2019)

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Lebanon ranks 44th in global micro-credit index

5-11-2019

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released its recent report on microcredit for the year 2019 in which it ranked 55 countries across the globe to evaluate their enabling environment for financial inclusion. Noting, that the EIU calculates the microscope index taking into account five areas: government and policy support; stability and integrity; products and outlets; consumer protection and infrastructure. According to the above report, Lebanon ranked 44th globally (compared to 50th in 2018) and 4th in the region with a score of 40 (compared to 33th last year). The report shows that the improvement Lebanon achieved is a result of the progress in its electronic KYC system, noting that electronic signatures are now accepted for identity verification in the country. Moreover, the report indicated that Bank of Lebanon introduced back in 2017 a financial inclusion strategy, but progress has been slow in implementing it, while taking into consideration that non-banking financial institutions sector remains largely unregulated. (Al Diyar, November 5, 2019)
 

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‘Ardi’ eighth mooneh exhibition

5-11-2019

Under the patronage of economy minister, Mansur Bteish, the 8th exhibition for mouneh ‘Ardi’ kicked off last Friday at the Sayyid al Shuhadaa Complex in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs entitled ‘Mawasem al Elfeh, Mooneh w Hirfeh’. The ministry’s director general, Alia Abbas, representing Bteish, stressed the importance of the event in boosting national economy and strengthening the steadfastness of farmers. The exhibition, Abbas said, is not a promotional or marketing project. Rather, it seeks to revive heritage and traditions, encourage women to carry on with their initiatives, help farmers sell their products directly to consumers without intermediaries and allow “housewives” to buy made-in-Lebanon rural products. She underlined the need to regulate and support the mooneh production sector which contributes to the empowerment of women and youth. Pointing out that domestic agriculture which is a vital catalyst of the economic cycle, should be given greater attention, Abbas lamented the fact that this sector represents only 3.5% of the GDP because of the lack of an all-inclusive agricultural strategy. She warned that economic reforms should start with boosting agriculture and developing a clear-cut policy directed to agricultural industries. For his part, the manager of the above exhibition, Abbas Qataya, insisted on carrying out this event regardless of the current turmoil, pointing to the participation of more than 850 exhibitors who showcased some 920 items from the various rural goods and artifacts. The exhibition (November 1-10, from 10 am to 10 pm) is expected to attract over 150,000 visitors from Beirut, the South, the North, Beqaa and Mount Lebanon. )Al Diyar, November 5, 2019)

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Leila Saade re-elected president of a francophone network

5-11-2019

In the presence of 90 participants from 10 different parts of the world, Professor Leila Saade was re-elected president of the Francophone Network of Leading Women in Higher Education and Research (RESUF) during a meeting last week of the Network’s General Assembly at the International University City (Cite Internationale Universitaire de Paris). Saade to recall, is a Law professor at the Lebanese University and head of RSUF since its inception. She also served as a member for six years of the Scientific Council of the Francophone University Agency (AUF), and headed the Regional Experts Commission (CRE) affiliated with the AUF, as well as the Doctoral School of Law of the Middle East (EDDMO). The latter is an initiative by AUF established to enhance the status of women and contribute to their access senior positions in higher education and research institutions. (NNA, November 4, 2019)

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Debate in France on Islam and hijab

1-11-2019

An Nahar newspaper today wrote that the fiery debate on Islam in France involves as well the issue of hijab. To this effect, a member of the far-right National Rally on October 11 took a harsh stand against a veiled woman accompanying her son on a school trip. This extremist attitude towards the veil rather reflects nearly 59% of the French people which considers the hijab as ‘incompatible’ with their community, according to the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. The director of research at the French National Center for Scientific Research, Sebastian Roche, commented on this saying: There is a strict attitude toward the hijab as it is considered an attack on two major revolutions in the history of France: Secularism in the early 20th Century and women’s liberation in the seventies of the past century. To be noted, the attack on the Paris police headquarters 4 weeks ago, where a staff member killed 4 of his colleagues, refueled the debate on the veil, and hence on Islam, the second largest religion in France. This debate is largely nurtured by ‘ignorance’ and ‘impulsive behavior’, An Nahar reported, citing a statement by French President, Emanuel Macron, in which he called for confronting the ‘Islamic monster’. (An Nahar, November 1, 2019)

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Historic female mission outside space station

1-11-2019

The NASA astronauts, electric engineer, Christina Kosh and physiologist, Jessica Meir, scored a landmark achievement on January 18 completing an all-female spacewalk to replace an exterior part of the international space station. Noting that many female astronauts have partaken in similar missions within the vicinity of the facility but were always escorted by their male peers. To recall, Kosh has participated in four missions, but this was the first for Meir, bringing the number of women spacewalkers outside of a space station to 15. Koch and Meir landed with NASA’s space jacket 11:38 GMT in a 7-hour mission. It is worth mentioning that the first woman to work outside of a space station was Russian astronaut Svetlana Savitskaya in 1984. (An Nahar, October 17, 2019)

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Kulluna Lil Watan: Women and the national anthem

31-10-2019

In a special feature on October 22 in Al Akhbar, Jana Nakhal spotlighted the role of women in the ongoing popular protests. The patriarchal system dubs the presence of women in the demonstrations as original, or limited or isolated from the current serious political work, Nakhal wrote. She stated that women, were and are still present, but the problem is in the state of mind which is in denial or is refusing to see or analyze what is happening in this regard. The popular sit-ins and street demos have brought back women to the media, to social media platforms and to the minds of the Lebanese as well, Nakhal said. This does not mean that Lebanese women have been unnoticed. To the contrary, they are strongly present and noticeable as ce owd extras or secondary to a prominent male figure, or as a beautiful face or sex symbol. It was noticed however, Nakhal maintained, that there was no real presence, except shy appearance via social media snapshots, of women who are angry, loud and frustrated. She pointed out that one of the remarkable contributions of women to the current uprising is that they are occupying front-row and vital positions as opposed to their traditional backseat political role. While the ultimate stereotypic role in politics for women is within the electoral system and official representation, Nakhal analyzed, they are starting to be seen in leading the street protests, cheering, organizing, documenting or covering the news of those protests. The patriarchal mindset however ignores and seeks to marginalize this fact by trying to focus on pictures and videotapes showcasing women as beautiful or seductive figures. For more, kindly visit the link below: https://bit.ly/321xrGv. (Al Akhbar, October 22, 2019)

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