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Women in Front organized last Saturday, 9th of November 2013, a round table entitled “The cause of women rights: development and obstacles – France, Morocco and Lebanon”, at the “Salon du Livre Francophone de Beyrouth” where three women involved in women’s right, Paola Shrabiyyeh from Lebanon, Wassyla Tamzali from Morocco, and Mary-Terez Sanchez representing the European Union met to discuss challenges that women face across the world.  Shrabiyyeh, an expert in theology, noted that women in Lebanon face way more challenges than what they have been able to achieve. According to Shrabiyyeh, two third of women in Lebanon suffer from domestic violence and rape whilst the perpetrators of these crimes go unpunished.  She also added that women in Lebanon still cannot transmit their nationality to their children whilst women and men are still ruled by religious laws and finally concluded that women’s political participation is an opportunity to change this situation, adding that Lebanon is classified 133 globally in terms of women political participation.
Source: L’Orient Le Jour 11 November 2013

L’Orient le Jour interviewed, Nay, a young woman, 28 years old, on the conditions of work in an international relief organization operating in Lebanon. According to OLJ, Nay is a projects coordinator in an international organization working with Syrian displaced in Lebanon.  She says that she is constantly worried about finding herself unemployed, noting that she has two university degrees in Economics and Social Sciences.  She adds that her work requires strong commitment and people involved in this field need to sacrifice their personal life for what is, according to her, a low pay compared to higher salaries that people with her qualification get from working in the private sector.  Nay who also has a Masters degree in Development from a prestigious university in the UK, earns a monthly salary of USD 1,500, in addition to USD 100 for transport and USD 100 for communication.  She clarified that had she been working for a local organization, she would have been paid USD 1200 per month. Nay complains about the absence of medical coverage in international organization as she was forced to pay for her own medical insurance.  Although she lives with her family, she stated she is unable to save more than USD 300 per month.
Source: L’Orient Le Jour 11 November 2013

Following the report published by Al Nahar newspaper yesterday about Bernadette Chidiac and her sister who live in a dire condition but have not benefited from the National Programme to Support the Poorest Families in Lebanon, Minister Abou Faoor issued a statement thanking Al Nahar for covering this story while clarifying the ways in which the said programme operates.
The statement first indicated that the programmed follows objective assessment mechanisms which are controlled and monitored.  According to the Minister, this mechanism is totally transparent and does not allow for any kind of interference and is subject to the advice of other Ministries.  If an applicant is refused, he or she is able to have recourse and ask for a reconsideration of his file which will be addressed via another social assessment.
The statement notes as a second point that the National Programme to Support the Poorest Families in Lebanon was a new experience and model in the work of public institutions which was different from the usual ways of working which left negative impressions with citizens.  As such, the Minister noted that the programme and its management are ready to consider any suggestion to improve the performance and transparency of the programme which, in any case, happens on a regular basis.
Thirdly, the statement reminds that the programme assisted some 165000 Lebanese citizens with school tuition fees to more than 10000 students in addition to assistance in purchasing school book.  Students enrolled in the 2012-2013 scholastic year benefited from this assistance all over the country.  Furthermore, 20000 students enrolled in vocational and/or secondary education benefited from this programme in addition to the distribution of 8000 food rations distributed via the MOSA community centers.  The latter also distribute medicines free of charge with more than 36000 families benefiting from MOSA centers across the country.
The statement concludes with the case of Bernadette Chidiac and her sister from the village of Chowayya in the Metn and notes that the programme management sent another assessment team to visit them today and evaluate their social and economic conditions and undertake the necessary steps rapidly so as to reconsider their file.
Source: Al-Nahar 8 November 2013

The third edition of the Beirut Cooking Festival kicked off yesterday at the Biel international exhibition centre under the auspices of the Minister of Trade Freij Sabounjian and with the participation of Georges Nasraoui the president of the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Industrialists (SLFI), Paul Ariss the president of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night-Clubs & Pastries in Lebanon, Fouad Zmokhol the President of the Lebanese Businessmen Associations (RDCL), Raja Habre the General Manager at the Lebanese Franchise Association, and Soha Atallah LibanPack Director.

In his key note address, Minister Sabounjian noted that this exhibition is about the art of cooking and the latest trends in food, art of living and modern designs.  According to the Minister, this event helps in marketing the Lebanese cuisine and in strengthening its international outreach.  He pointed out to Lebanese who opened restaurants in different parts of the world thus contributing to the development of the sector as well as to the creation of new jobs.  The Minister highlighted the need to use natural resources to secure jobs for young people in agro-industry which will in turn strengthen tourism.

Some 100 exhibitors are taking part in this event organised by Hospitality Services.  The exhibition includes a selection of kitchen tools and dining accessories, is considered to be the most important event in the cooking calendar and to foodies and is set to extend until November 9th.

Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar 8 November 2013

Following its sit in organised on November 5 2013, the PWL (Protection of Lebanese Women) met yesterday with the vice president of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council Shekh Abdel Amir Kabalan.  The meeting was held within the framework of the national campaign to raise children’s custody age within the Shiite community.
Following the meeting, the group issued a statement noting that Kabalan was not responsive to their demands and was not even ready to discuss the proposals.  The statement adds that Kabalan’s position is similar to that of Judge Abdel Halim Shararah who saw in this campaign a mere “waste of time”.  Kabalan had asked the Campaign to address their request directly to Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq.
In their statement, the PWL specified that they asked Kabalan to refer to some of the Fatwas issued by several Shiite references, such as Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, whose Fatwa raised the child custody age to 7 years of age for boys and 9 years for girls.  However, the statement added that similarly to Sharara, Kabalan refused this suggestion categorically.
The statement concluded by referring to a series of earlier meeting with Shiite clergy who supported the demands of the PWL campaign notable Jaafari Mufti Ahmed Taleb.  The statement also referred to earlier memoranda issued by the office of Sayyed Hussein Fadlallah supporting the Campaign and stressing that it is possible to change the rulings of the Shiite courts.
Source: Al-Safir 8 November 2013

Al Akhbar published a report about the increase in the number of Lebanese marrying Syrian refugee girls especially after the Fatwas issued by Sunni clergy in Akkar allowing this kind of marriages in order to “protect refugee women and prevent them from taking on other means to ensure their livelihoods”.  As such, marrying Syrian women and girls has now become “an act of charity” especially amongst married men who have found in this Fatwa a way to get out of monogamy with as little cost as possible.  This practice has also become popular amongst young men who have found a “halal” way to live their own family lives.

The report also reflects the point of view of Syrian women and girls who see in this marriage a way to cope with their present hardship especially given the continuous crisis in Syria and given the fact that, unlike Lebanese women, Lebanese men can transmit their nationalities to their non-Lebanese spouses.  Local leaders and Moukhtars in Akkar express their discontent (often on a clear racist note) with this trend as, according to them, this is depriving Lebanese girls from marriage since young Lebanese men can have Syrian wives!  Some went as far as to say that a Lebanese man needs USD 50000 to be able to marry whereas Syrian men sell their daughters to marriage for a mere USD 1000.  A Mukhtar added that 25 young men have married Syrian refugees.  The mayor of Miniaryah shared the storey of two young Syrian girls working in the field and boasting about the amount of money for which they were sold.  The mayor further adds that “this is common practice amongst Syrian refugees and is not imposed by the Lebanese”.

According to Al Akhabar, Syrian men are also marrying Lebanese women but to a lesser extent as Syrian men are unable to secure livelihood requirements.  The Moukhtar of Kaytah, Khaled Al Mir, famous for having launched the racist call for a “Akkar free of Syrians” noted that there are 70 marriages to Syrian women every months and way more less for Syrian men marrying Lebanese because, according to him, Lebanese women “have more pride and will not accept to marry homeless men living in tents and paid for by charitable organisations”.
Source: Al-Akhbar 7 November 2013

Al Akhbar newspaper published a report on the non-licensed Syrian owned shops and businesses and which are to being closed with the support of the internal security forces as per the general plan put in place by the Ministry of Economy and Trade.  The first phase of this plan was implemented in the Bekaa during the month of September 2013 after giving business owners a grace period of two months to settle their situation before closure.  Preparations are now going ahead to implement the plan in Beirut where a warning was issued just a few days ago to Syrian business owners so that they settle their situation.  The implementation of the plan will then move to Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon and South Lebanon.  The report also shares the reactions of Lebanese business holders many of which reflected their usual negative attitude vis-à-vis Syrian nationals and strong concerns about the competition created by these new businesses especially at the level of small shops, popular restaurants and street vending.
The report refers to the field study carried out by the Ministry of Economy and Trade and which indicates that 1196 Syrian owned businesses were established with no licenses over the past two years.  377 of these located in the Beqaa were closed whilst 819 business continue to operate, one way or the other, in various commercial and tourism services.  The acting Director-General of Economy Fouad Fleifel told Al Akhbar that the model of free economy in Lebanon allows any foreign investor to work freely and nobody can be forbidden from undertaking any economic activity except in the areas restricted by the Ministry of Labor and where investors have to abide by labor laws. The Zahleh Merchant's Association president, Elie Chalhoub, for his part, points out to a different  reality as he notes that competition is cut throat and illegal as, according to Chalhoub, Syrian investors bring cheaper raw material from Syrian addition to cheap Syrian labor and do not pay taxes as well as municipality fees and electricity costs.  However, he acknowledged that many Lebanese businesses who complain about competition actually do not declare their profits to the Ministry of Finance, resort to Syrian labor and also bring cheap raw material illegally even though this is more available for Syrian investors.
The situation somewhat seems different for Beirut and Mount Lebanon which account for 28.8% of the total of Syrian owned businesses which are concentrated in Borj Hammoud, Nabaa, Tarik Jadideh and Mazraa, and where it is by large welcomed differently than in the Beqaa.  According to, The Barbour Merchant's Association president, Rachid Kebbe Syrian capital should be most welcome in Lebanon as they contribute to the local economy.  Similar reactions are noted in South Lebanon and in Nabatieh which host 8.1% of Syrian owned businesses.  According to The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Saida, nobody should stand against these businesses as they contribute to the economy and attract investments.  However and on the other side, business owners in Akkaar tend to share the views of their fellows in the Bekaa and complain about competition with Syrian owned businesses, while claiming that Syrian businesses are in an advantageous position since they receive international donations and benefit from conditions of production that are not suitable for people from Akkar.  It is to be noted that North Lebanon hosts 8.9% of the total Syrian owned businesses that are primarily located in Akkar and Tripoli and to a lesser extent in Zghorta and Batroun.
Source: Al-Akhbar 7 November 2013
For more information about the context of non-licensed Syrian businesses in Lebanon, please refer to previous news published on the WEEPortal:

"Closing of non-registered Syrian commerce in the Bekaa", on 2/9/2013
"Launch of the campaign to regularize Syrian businesses in the Bekaa and testimonials of Syrians suffering from oppression in Lebanon", on 31/7/2013

Ghassan Ghosn, head of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers noted in a statement released yesterday that youth unemployment has now risen to 38% whilst the proportion of those living under the poverty line increased from 10 to 14% warning that the social conditions are now explosive.
Ghosn noted that the current situation is quite dicey both at the social and economic level and requires a collaboration and partnership amongst the Syndicates and economic institutions as well as various economic sector and Lebanese labor so that appropriate steps are taken to address the situation.  Ghosn added that there is a move towards intensifying collaboration amongst various stakeholders so that each fulfills its responsibility and puts necessary actions in place to address the crisis.  Ghosn called for drawing a Charter amongst all economic stakeholders based on a number of common principles, namely demanding the government to work towards national salvation, the protection of local labor and production from foreign competition and from market saturation, the provision of incentives and subsidies to the local economy, the creation of a conducive environment for the economy and finally the strengthening of the capacities of economic sectors in Lebanon.
With regards to the repercussions of the increasing number of Syrian displaced, Ghosn noted that this is now presenting threats at various levels namely social, economically as well as in terms of health, safety and security.  He added that this matter should be dealt seriously otherwise the consequences will be critical.  He also blamed the Lebanese for exploiting the availability of cheap Syrian labor as well as the dire conditions of the displaced.  Finally, he supported the suggestion of the head of the Federation of CCIA in Lebanon concerning the setting of a quota for employing Syrian displaced.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, Al-Hayat 7 November 2013

Al Nahar newspaper published a report about two sisters, Bernadette and Houda Chidiac, who live a life of poverty and have yet to benefit from the social assistance of the Ministry of Social Affairs.  Bernadette, who is now 54 years old, toils seeking to secure the basic livelihood necessities for her and her bedridden sister who suffers from physical disability for a decade now.  The report notes that Bernadette applied for support from the National Programme to Support the Poorest Families in Lebanon.  Her file’s reference is 2300516 dated back to 5/12/2011, and was submitted following a home visit carried out two years ago by a social worker assigned by the Ministry to assess her situation according to the criteria set forth by the Ministry but her file seems to have been completely forgotten.  It is to be noted that Al Nahar followed her case file, a year ago, in an attempt to understand why Bernadette never benefited from the programme.  The field assessor responded that Bernadette is indeed considered poor and that she should benefit from the programme but did not provide any further information.
Source: Al-Nahar 7 November 2013

The Daily Star newspaper published a new report yesterday about the new campaign launched by the local activist group “Say No To Violence”. The activities of this campaign are mostly directed towards women victims of sexual harassment or assault or rape, who are encouraged to raise their voice and stand up against the harasser through documented interviews. The report also indicated that the campaign has recently launched a hotline for reporting any sexual assault on the following number: 03980603.
Mirna Karouny, a feminist activist and the deputy head of the campaign, noted in her interview with “The Daily Star”, the importance of these interviews that documents sexual assaults so that they can be presented to authorities and thus help in deterring the harasser. In addition, this process encourages women to break the wall of public silence and to share their stories to in an attempt to tackle what is a widespread phenomenon.
The report also shares the stories of a couple of women victims of sexual harassment. The migrant worker “Amal” narrates how the agency’s owner schemed with her employer so the latter would rape her, after repeatedly hitting her; the she accompanied her story with pointing out to the bruises on her arms. Then the newspaper report the case of “Umm Ayman” who said that most of the sexual assaults she witnessed were at her work place and in public transportation, adding that she never thought to report any of these assaults since she has no faith in the authorities.
Source: The Daily Star 5 November 2013