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Tunisian women researchers address sensitive issues (Women, Islam & Power)

27-8-2019

In a special feature on August 17, Al Akhbar daily highlighted three books published recently by a group of women Tunisian researchers on Islam, power and other controversial topics. The publications include a series of research works which vary in their commitment to an accurate methodology often but which sometimes are partial to literature. The research is high-impact, serious borrowing correct anthropological tools to avoid falling in the trap of western perceptions of women and Islam. The researchers seek to give a better understanding of history itself not the history of the ruling power in order to have the proper knowledge tools to comprehend the present. One of the co-editors, Salwa Belhaj Saleh, Al Akhbar wrote, draws a historic relation of Islam with women through its relation with female priests in the pre-Islamic era. Samah Yahyawi, maintained that Islamic history has ignored accounting the history of women in Sufism, reporting only what men related. Ulfa Youssef addressed complex and controversial issues in the Islamic law making concerning hijab, women and alcohol. (for more on the feature, kindly visit the link below: https://bit.ly/2NBvBs7). (Al Akhbar, August 17, 2019)
 

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Farmers' Market in the heart of Hamra, Beirut

27-8-2019

In its issue of today, An Nahar newspaper shed light on a newly-established farmers market in the bustling street of Jeanne d’Arc located at the intersection of Sidani and Makdessi streets, in the heart of the capital. The market which carries the name of “Souk aal Souk” (i.e. “drive to the market”), is a joint project by the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU), Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, AUB and the AUB Neighborhood Initiative. The market showcases traditional, fresh and healthy dishes alongside handicrafts, and works of embroidery, home-made soaps and other artisan items. For more on the subject, An Nahar interviewed a number of participants. Hana Hamzeh, for example, from the Mount Lebanon village of Obey, makes cookies and desserts with healthy recipes. She started working from home before she rented a booth in Souk el Tayyeb. Now, she divides her time and work between the two markets, as she said. People have become healthy food mongers, preferring to consume less sugar and butter and favoring gluten free products, she boasted. Similarly, Victor Shami, who just completed his fifth year in decorative arts at ALBA university, said the souk allows him to mingle with like-minded people. (An Nahar, August 27, 2019)

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Workshop in Sohmor to support SMEs

27-8-2019

In coordination with the Economic and Social Development Fund (ESDF), the Municipality of Sohmor, West Bekaa organized a workshop on Saturday entitled ‘We fund your project’. Many locals and concerned people participated in the workshop which aimed to promote and support owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). On the occasion, Sohmor mayor, Haidar Shahla, pointed out that such seminars and similar activities seek to help our people, especially in these dire economic circumstances to aquire real-world opportunities and contribute to the development of the town’s economy. (Al Diyar, August 26, 2019)

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Cabinet approves gender-sensitive law amendments related to rape

26-8-2019

Following the repeal of provisions of Article 522 of the Penal Code which exempted the rapist from punishment should he marry his victim (https://bit.ly/33XtPYd), the cabinet in its recent August 22 session, approved the proposal of the law to amend Articles 505 and 519 and abolish Article 518. Recalling, that the above repeal of Article 522, despite its positive implications, was still wanting, as it retained the effects of the article which pardons the rapist if he married his victim who completed her 15 years but did not reach 18. While the first article relieves the rapist from prosecution, the second stipulates a six-month imprisonment for he who non-consensually has sex with a 15 up to 18 years’ minor and one year if the victim was under 15. The third article relates to “seduction” with promises of marriage. On the development, NCLW asked the Legislature to step up its ratification of the approved laws for they constitute a positive step in combating violence against women. (Al Diyar, August 25, 2019)

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Al Hol camp: Yazidi women abused under the eyes of international organizations

26-8-2019

Following the death of a Yazidi woman by ISIS women at Al Hol Camp in Syria ( https://bit.ly/2L58ljw), the mayor of Sinjar, the stronghold of Yazidis in Iraq, Mahma Khalil, said in a statement yesterday that women in the camp are being brutally beaten and humiliated. He appealed to the Iraqi government and the government of Kurdistan-Iraq, as well as spiritual authorities and the international community to rescue them. The said camp which is run by the Syrian Democratic Forces and international organizations, is a hotspot for appalling violations of human rights against Yazidi women, who are not allowed to return home to their families, Khalil said. Such violations are a disgrace to these organizations who turn a blind eye to similar abuses, Khalil added. Ironically, these organizations transfer and sort out ISIS families while refuse to evict Yazidi victims of ISIS out of the camp, he concluded. (Al Diyar, August 26, 2019)

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Wines of Lebanon in South Korea international & Bologna local shows

26-8-2019

Lebanon participated for the first time in the International Wine Show organized by Daejeon International Marketing Enterprise in Daejeon, South Korea from August 23 to 25. Under the patronage of foreign minister, Jibran Bassil, Lebanon’s presence is a culmination of a unique partnership between the Lebanese embassy in Seoul and Clos St Thomas. It introduces Lebanese wine to the Korean markets as part of a campaign launched by Bassil to market the domestic wine industry globally. On the local scene, the Association Des Caves Du Mont Liban kicked off on August 24 the third wine festival at Notre Dame Church- Bologna, under the sponsorship of defense minister Elias Bou Saab and the presence of the Papal Ambassador Joseph Spiteri. Bou Saab underlined the importance of the event, and conveyed a message to the supreme pontiff asking him to expend the Lebanese wine in a Sunday mass as recommended by his holiness. The minister said the wine sector has developed considerably, noting that in the Metn area alone hosts some 12 wineries. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, August 24, 25, 2019)

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"World Fair Trade Day" for promoting Lebanese products

26-8-2019

Fair Trade Lebanon organized for the 8th consecutive year a ceremony at St. Georges’ Convent Roumyeh- Qleiyat to mark the World Fair Trade Day which falls on August 25 of each year. The event, held under the slogan ‘Meet the producers’, saw the presence of 1500 persons, including show goers and producers, in addition to concerned bloggers and Fair Trade advocates. It included a live culinary workshop prepared by Fair Trade Lebanon Coops offering an assortment of authentic Lebanese dishes, like frikeh, stuffed grape leaves and kibbeh. Participating as well, was Souk Jana Loubnan, which showcased a variety of veggies and fruits, and some 30 cooperative associations. The ceremony featured a number of heritage and cultural activities, notably sessions on saj making, painting, honey extraction and recycling. FTL said it is providing a sustainable economic model for farmers in rural areas through the provision of necessary equipment and training on food industries to 50 coops in line with international standards and fair trade principles. Lebanese producers now export more than 70 products through the FTL network to Europe, USA, UK, Australia and GCC states. On the occasion, economy minister Mansour Bteish, explained that through the FTL concept, brokers connecting producers and consumers draw back, motivating farmers to develop their production. The government is working to stimulate various productive sectors to gradually restore the trade balance in favor of domestic exports, Bteish said. (Al Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le Jour, August 26, 2019)

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Green for Growth Fund supports Energy Efficiency in Lebanon

23-8-2019

Green for Growth Fund (GGF) said in a statement yesterday that it has invested USD 15 million in Bank Audi, the biggest green lender in Lebanon. The aim, the statement explained, is to support Audi’s lending portfolio in energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE). The investment will reportedly be used for financing industrial equipment and energy efficient buildings, as well as commercial vehicles and energy service and supply companies, the statement said. The impact is expected to be amplified through the Fund’s Technical Assistance Facility. The measures funded through above investment, will lead to primary energy saving and a reduction in CO2 emissions, it said. The investment is anticipated to contribute to saving energy in a market that only covers 60% of the peak power demand which results in regular power outages that impede overall economic productivity, according to the statement. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Akhbar, August 23, 2019)

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Yazidi woman killed by ISIS women inside Al Hol camp

23-8-2019

Citing Iraqi journalist, Issa Saado, Sputnik correspondent in Iraq reported yesterday the death of an abducted Yazidi girl by women of the terrorist ISIS group inside a refugee camp in Syria. Saado said the girl, in her twenties, has been kidnapped in Sinjar during the genocide in early August 2014. She was beaten to death on Wednesday by the families and wives of ISIS inside Al Hol displacement camp in Hasaka, northeastern Syria, during her attempt to escape. Noting that the Kurdish Asayish organization in charge of the camp’s security, was trying to bring the girl back to Sinjar. Sputnik recalled that on August 3, 2014, ISIS invaded Sinjar province and neighboring villages and towns massacring thousands of Yazidi men, women, children and elderly, in a genocidal slaughter and shooting and then burying them in mass graves. Women and girls were taken captives to serve as sexual slaves for ISIS members who used all forms of violence and torture to rape them, including underage girls. (Al Diyar, August 23, 2019)

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Nike bows to demands of pregnant athletes

23-8-2019

Today, Al Akhbar newspaper highlighted the discrimination exercised by the multinational sports apparel corporation, Nike, against women athletes around the world. It referred to campaigns launched by these women to claim their rights, that are often ignored by sports unions and sponsors which contemplate profits only. The newspaper cited the story of the six-time Olympic gold medalist, Allyson Felix, who published an article in May stating that Nike has decided to cut her sponsorship contract by 70% since she was out of the field during her pregnancy last year. This incident has reportedly sparked global backlash and criticism during the past few months against the company’s harsh treatment of its sponsored women athletes who become pregnant. However, Al Akhbar went on to say, things changed recently after the sportswear giant was pressured to adjust its policy, as confirmed Felix on August 16. Felix said she received a letter from Nike that it will end financial penalties for sponsored pregnant athletes for 18 months should they consider to have children. Al Akhbar also brought to mind the story of another female US runner, Alysia Montano, one of the top 3 world runners, who said that Nike was not the sole brand that financially penalizes its pregnant sponsored athletes. After this uproar, the newspaper said, many fitness wear brands have started implementing a new strategy which plays fair to their pregnant sponsored athletes through giving them guarantees that secure their maternity protection. (Al Akhbar, August 23, 2019)

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