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First female president of the European Commission

17-7-2019

Members of the European Parliament yesterday elected, with a narrow vote, Ursula Von Der Leyen to be the first female president of the European Commission and to be the first German for the post since 52 years. Leyen won the support of 383 members to replace Jean Claude Juncker when he steps down this November. To note, that before her election, Leyen was appointed as defense minister for her country in 2013 to be the first women also for the post. Leyen, 61, graduated from Hannover University School of Medicine, is fluent in French, German and English and a mother of 7. Following her secret ballot election in the European Parliament in Strasburg, Leyen said: “My message to all of you is the following: let us work together constructively, for what is needed is a united and strong Europe.” (An Nahar, July 17, 2019)

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The role of media in changing female stereotypes

17-7-2019

As part of ongoing consultations to present its goals and achievements within the national strategy for women, the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) headed by Claudine Aoun Rukuz, held a round table yesterday with journalists at its Hazmieh premises. On the occasion, Rukuz stressed the fundamental role the media plays in the struggle to advance the status of Lebanese women and change the stereotypes, as well as enact the necessary legislative reforms to secure their rights. Among such reforms, Rukuz maintained, is ratification of a law that bans child marriage, endorsement of the right of the Lebanese mother married to non-Lebanese to confer nationality to her children, and amendment of Law 293 on the protection of women and family members from domestic violence. (NNA, July 16, 2019)

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Trump calls on congresswomen to return home

16-7-2019

US President Donald Trump Sunday told four Democrat Congresswomen to ‘go back’ to where they came from. If you are unhappy in the US, you could leave, Trump tweeted, accusing them of being fans of United States enemies. Trump’s vile remarks were strongly criticized by Democrat officials who described him as racist and xenophobe. According to Al Akhbar newspaper, Trump was apparently alluding to young, progressive and outspoken congresswomen, namely, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. In response to Trumps’ attack, the congresswomen in question said the US President is promoting ‘white nationalism’, pledging not to keep silent. And while Democrat, Ben Ray, said the four congresswomen have been elected by American voters, British prime minister, Teresa May, described Trump’s remarks as categorically unacceptable. (An Nahar, Al Akhbar, July 16, 2019)
 

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Agreement on protecting and empowering underage girls Donniyeh

16-7-2019

The Union of Municipalities of Donniyeh signed on July 12, an agreement with UNFPA, RET Liban and the Canadian Embassy in Beirut, on the protection and empowerment through training of underage girls. The event, which was held at the Union’s premises in Bakhun, Donniyeh in the North, highlighted the issue of “girl marriage in our communities and its risks on health, as well as on social and psychological life of its victims, according to Judy Fatfat from the Union. The Union head, Mohamad Saadiyeh, pointed in turn, to a strategic plan to empower communities, and women in particular, that is being implemented by the Union. For her part, RET Liban representative stressed the organization’s commitment to protect vulnerable communities, notably women and underage girls through job-generating sustainable initiatives. She explained that RET Liban is implementing the project in the Dinniyeh area and other areas in the North and across Lebanon to help the marginalized youth in the Lebanese and Syrian communities. Likewise, Reproductive Health Director at UNFPA, Maguy Ghanem, said that minor girl marriages have become rampant in Arab societies, stating that despite international, local community and governmental efforts to promote the role of women, girls and women remain the most vulnerable to illiteracy, poverty and abuse, including domestic violence. (Al Mustaqbal, July 13, 2019)

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MoU to enhance the role of women in security and peace

16-7-2019

The National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), represented by its president, Claudine Aoun Rukuz, signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding with UN Women, represented by its director, Rachel Dore-Weeks, aimed to coordinate efforts to achieve common goals on women, peace and security. This step is reportedly a part of the national action plan on Lebanon for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and stepping up the implementation of various international agreements and conventions, as well as efforts to protect women and girls against all forms of violence. Rukuz, on the occasion, said the MoU contributes to putting into practice the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon, pointing out that projects and activities planned under said MoU, constitute a progressive step in improving the status of women in the country at all levels. Rukuz also mentioned other topics observed by the above agreement, including promoting women’s economic empowerment, increasing their political participation and supporting Lebanon’s efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the 17 UN Sustainable Goals, namely Goal 5 on reaching gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. (NNA, July 15, 2019)

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Food factories Inspection project launched

16-7-2019

As part of the food quality and safety program implemented by the industry ministry, and in collaboration with 9 Lebanese universities, minister Wael Abu Faour, kicked off yesterday the food factories inspection project. Noting, that agriculture engineering students from said universities have volunteered in the inspection process following a special training session to this effect. Abu Faour stressed that the campaign shall help industrialists in exporting their products, which represent nearly 30% of the overall local exports. He underlined the importance of propping domestic industry as it provides jobs and contributes to the development of agriculture, hoping the campaign will meet its end in ensuring the safety of both the product and the consumer. Abu Faour clarified that the project will be certified with a quality stamp which will facilitate competition and export, stating that the quality granted by the ministry is a privilege to its owner. (An Nahar, July 16, 2019)

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"Fatherhood" drives MP to “claim” his daughter's right in defiance of religious court rulings

15-7-2019

In its issue of today, Al Akhbar newspaper spotlighted the case of Ghadir, the daughter of Hizbullah MP, Nawaf Musawi, who posted a video she filmed of her ex-husband chasing her and her sister and children in her car and blocking their way before he was detained by a Damur police station patrol. The standoff, apparently linked to child visitation rights and custody, soon dominated the local social media, especially after news of the lawmaker attempting to storm the police station but which he later denied. In its analysis, Al Akhbar daily described the row as being of ‘paternal’ paternal nature namely a father defending his daughter’s rights in defiance of the rulings of sharia and religious courts which have abstained from acting on reforms that spare women and mothers the consequences resulting from archaic and unfair verdicts. Al Akhbar went on to say, that the incident clearly denotes the wide outreach of religious authorities which, it stressed, would not have grown without the legislative authority’s full compliance, always in anticipation of sectarian gains and to immunize itself against the ‘beast’ the civil state denotes. In a civil state, the newspaper wrote, there is no room for a “daughter” who takes refuge in her “father”. A civil state acknowledges women who are protected under a unified fair and unprejudiced civil status law that protects them against all manipulation, humiliation and attempts on their life. Eventually, Lebanese women shall remain vulnerable to violence should personal status preferential jurisdictions remain untouched. (Al Akhbar, July 15 2019)
 

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Call for enacting laws to protect women from violence

15-7-2019

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) appealed to Lebanon to combat all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls through preventive judicial measures and legislations. The ICJ report explained that the continuous gender based violence in Lebanon is deeply rooted in the patriarchal and stereotypical socio-cultural perceptions that shape the roles and duties of men and women. Those diktats, the report went on to say, are reproduced as well in the judiciary, in law enforcement committees and legal institutions, as per ongoing investigations, trials and prosecutions of gender-based crimes, which, generally, prove to be a failure in protecting women’s rights. In conclusion, the report said that despite the positive steps taken by the Lebanese authorities to address the limitations of the legislative system, much work is still needed, including criminal law procedures, the nationality law and the personal status law which discriminate against or fail to protect women’s rights. (An Nahar, July 15, 2019)

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Certificates from Dar Al Amal to Tripoli prison female inmates

15-7-2019

In partnership with the ministry of social affairs and Diakonia Lebanon, and in coordination with ISF General Directorate, Dar Al Amal association distributed on July 4 certificates to female inmates of the Tripoli Prison who have completed vocational training sessions. The ceremony also included an exhibition of drawings and handicrafts by the prisoners. On the occasion, Dar Al Amal president, Habib Hatem, praised the partnership with the MoSA, ISF, Diakonia and the Prisons’ Administration to the end of rehabilitating the prison’s buildings, as well as the life of inmates to facilitate their social integration after their release. Hatem stressed that Al Amal is the only association that provides specialists inside the jails to improve the conditions of prisoners and allow them to acquire new vocational and educational skills. For his part, Col. Bahaa Samad, superintendent of the Tripoli Prison, pointed out that Dar Al Amal’s contributions have helped many female inmates during their prison term and after their release. (An Nahar, July 15, 2019)

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Rural women from Lebanon and Armenia share experiences in agribusiness

15-7-2019

In partnership with two civil society organizations from Armenia (Green Lane Agricultural Assistance) and Lebanon (Family Planning Association for Development and Family Empowerment), the UN Women- Fund for Gender Equality concluded on July 11 the ‘Rural knowledge and marketing exchange between rural women in rural agribusiness’ seminar in Tyre. Around 18 Lebanese and Armenian rural women participating in the one-week event, shared lessons learned in promoting entrepreneurial skills and access to agricultural markets. On the occasion, UN Women special representative in Lebanon, Rachel Dore-Weeks, stressed that the organization is a staunch advocate and supporter of women’s economic empowerment which paves the way to gender equality, poverty reduction and overall economic growth. Similarly, the Fund’s program director for the Arab countries, Rana Hujeiri, maintained that the implementation of knowledge exchange and the South-South cooperation helps in identifying and promoting transnational strategies and policies. Rural women working with other rural women to overcome broader challenges slowing their economic participation, represent a huge opportunity for investment, she said. (Al Diyar, July 15, 2019)

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