News

For the first time in history, women are filling decision-making roles in the judiciary system.  Three judges were assigned in the Supreme Judicial Council including Chairperson of the Legislation and Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Justice, Marie-Denise Gabriel El-Mouchi; President of the Chamber of the Court of First Instance in Mount Lebanon, Mirna Raffoul; and President of the Chamber of Cassation Judge, Suhair Harake.
 

The Women and Child Committee is amending the proposed law to edit the edict 28 & 29 of labor law raising the maternity leave to ten weeks from seven.  The amendment will also edit the edict 38 of the legislative decree 59/112 which raises the maternity leave to women working in the public administration to the same level.
While the government is willing to modify the edict 15 of the decree 5773 date 13/11/1994 to unite the decree hence raising the maternity leave to ten weeks, all working women including employees of publish associations as well.
 

Hayat Social and Charity Association celebrated the graduation of 27 new nurses from The Hayat Institute of Technical Nursing .The event was sponsored by the Minister of Education, Hassan Diab and represented by Ahmed Diab the Director of Vocation and Technical Education. Those present included educational social groups, students, and various stakeholders.

To read more (in Arabic):  http://www.almustaqbal.com/storiesv4.aspx?storyid=524894
 

The Women Committee of Future Movement - Environmental Sector- held an environmental training in collaboration with Sukleen as a part of World Environment Day activities on June 5th. The training focused on how to sort solid organic waste, aiming to prevent further deficient solid waste management.  Moreover, the training will also introduce the concept of sustainable development to the community by promoting environmental awareness and encouraging citizens to participate in improving waste management.

To read more (in Arabic): http://www.almustaqbal.com/storiesv4.aspx?storyid=524888

Roula Sleiman, elected as the pastor of Tripoli Evangelical Church, is the first and only woman to ever fill this position in the Middle East. Sleiman’s journey to this position did not come without challenges, as she often experienced gender bias and discrimination compared to her male colleagues.  The religion, similar to many others, is solely dominated by men.

To read more (in Arabic):  http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/94530
 

Lebanese women are often subjected to sexual assault. But when women turn to the law for protection, they are forced to sign a waiver to relinquish their rights. The perpetrator is protected by article 522 of the penal code, which acquits him in case he marries his victim.
The Nasawiya organization launched a campaign two months ago with the aim to revoke the misogynistic article.  Further, it aims to break the tradition of forcing victims to marry their rapists under the pretext of hiding in shame.

The Institute for Women Studies in the Arab World at LAU constitutes a main source of data and studies aimed at enhancing women’s status in Lebanon and the Arab World. LAU President, Joseph Jabra and the university’s board are keen in propagating the concept of gender between all students. Gender Culture studies are part of the elective courses that are available for the students as an introduction to the feminist movement.  The course allows students to support this movement, to understand the feminist psychology and women’s representation in the media and the arts. In addition, the course focuses on women empowerment and the social approach to women’s situation in the Arab world.

The Institute’s work includes conducting evaluative and statistical studies on women issues. Further, the Institute prepares specialized booklets about the rights of female domestic workers as well as the organization of specialized courses about women’s rights and the practices that they must have in order to ensure a healthy life for themselves and their families. The Institute organizes a series of seminars about women’s issues in addition to organizing awareness campaigns in cooperation with civil society organizations.
http://whoisshe.lau.edu.lb
 

The campaign for equal citizenship rights for women is being neglected by politicians, according to the coordinator of the campaign since a member of the ministerial committee tasked with debating the issue has openly admitted the establishment of the panel was merely a placatory move.
As the law stands, if a woman marries a non-Lebanese citizen, they cannot pass on their Lebanese nationality, making it difficult for their children to gain state benefits such as education and health care.
The campaigners handed a draft law on citizenship to Parliament last July, and earlier this year received “a positive reaction from Prime Minister Najib Mikati.” (The daily Star)

Arock concert was held Friday night at T-Marbouta café in Hamra organized by the American University of Beirut (AUB) Human Rights Club in collaboration with the Migrant Workers Task Force (MWTF) where the entrance fee of LL 10,000 with proceeds going toward the purchase of supplies for English and Computer courses offered free to migrant workers at Zico House, Sanayeh and the Migrant Community Center in Nabaa.
On each table, small cards written by migrant workers were placed detailing the difficulties and discrimination they have faced living and working in Lebanon both from employers and Lebanese society in general. (The Daily Star)


 

The Committee for the Support of Women’s Quotas was organized to discuss the suggested plan for passing and implementing the law concerning the women’s quota. However, in light of the current circumstances that the country is going through and that represent a threat to the civil peace and the national unity, which is one of the constants of the women’s struggle, the committee calls on the officials and all the Lebanese people to rise above the dangerous pitfalls leading to the abyss.  The committee re-stressed on its constants concerning the quota system as the committee had called for a 33% rate of candidacy and participation in any electoral law that might be adopted.

Original text in Arabic: Almustaqbal , Assafir