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Women in uniform: Number is rising but challenge persists

4-7-2019

In its issue of today, An Nahar newspaper devoted a feature on the participation of women in the Lebanese Army. It said that notwithstanding the growing number of women joining military ranks since the appointment of the new Army Commander, Joseph Aoun in March 2017, there remains the challenge of sustaining these gains. At the end of the civil war in 1990, An Nahar wrote, the Lebanese government asked Lebanese women to volunteer as soldiers in the Military Establishment, including the military police and the military school. Yet, the number of women soldiers remained relatively low compared to the actual number of male soldiers in service, the newspaper said. Until the year 2017, women only numbered 1000 out of the total of 70,000 soldiers. During the past two years, the participation rate of women in the Army rose considerably reaching 3,000 women in 2018, including 3 colonels and 17 brigadier generals, An Nahar report said. Citing military sources, An Nahar anticipated a rise in the number to 4,000 women soldiers by March 2019. On the other hand, the size and scope of the role of women in the Army remains subject to the defense minister’s decisions, rather than to a law or decree released by the parliament or the cabinet. Currently, An Nahar said, the decisions enacted three decades ago can be revoked by any minister in the future without the approval of the council of ministers. In conclusion, the report demanded that the Legislature and the cabinet ratify laws to the end of endorsing the participation of women in the Army, and hence, supporting the gains made. (An Nahar, July 4, 2019)

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General Directorate of Personal Status obstructs the registration of civil marriage in Lebanon

4-7-2019

After its report on the civil marriage contract registered in Lebanon by two Lebanese expatriate lawyers, Abdallah Salam and Marie Joe Abi Nassif, who erased the mention of their sect from their personal status documents (: https://bit.ly/2FRspE5), An Nahar newspaper wrote today that the married couple have completed the necessary formal procedures and that the ministry of interior has received the marriage registration request. An Nahar went on to say, that part of the administrative process has been finalized with a signature of a ministry employee confirming the receipt, but pointed to a deliberate delay in the request reaching the execution register at the General Directorate of Personal Status. According to the newspaper, it is unlikely that the minister of interior, Raya Hassan, is unaware of the obstruction, insisting that she rather instruct against impeding a procedure that has met the required legal conditions. Speaking to An Nahar, Abdallah explained that there should be a separation between the ongoing arguments on the enactment of an optional civil marriage in the country, which involves dialogue between various sects and groups, and between the right of the Lebanese who erased the sect to register their marriage on Lebanese territory. He maintained that the rights of this category ought to be respected and observed. Likewise, Marie Joe said, “we shall not lose our patience.” In her address to minister Hassan, she said, “You are a minister for all the Lebanese and are entrusted to improve the performance of your ministry to become more human as you earlier declared, and to put the law into practice so as not to remain a slogan.”. (An Nahar, July 4, 2019)

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UNIFIL support to women's cooperatives in the South

4-7-2019

Accompanied by Jnata mayor, (Tyre), Abdel Mutalib Husseini, the head of UNIFIL’s Sector West, General Bruno Bishota, visited yesterday the workroom of the Women’s Agricultural Cooperative in the town to explore hands on the preparation of rural products. Bishota expressed his satisfaction with the activities women in the area and the environs engage in. He stressed his sector’s commitment to providing the necessary backing to these coops, including capacity building of marketing techniques and the acquisition of new skills. Following the tour, Bishota invited the coop to participate in the upcoming exhibitions planned by the Italian Battalion where UNIFIL units can buy from the showcased local artifacts and goods. (Al Mustaqbal, July 4, 2019)

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Holders of Agricultural Technical Baccalaureate to enroll in public vocational schools

3-7-2019

The minister of education, Akram Shhayeb, issued yesterday Decree 245/2019 allowing the holders of the Agricultural Technical Baccalaureate to follow up their studies at the various technical and vocational institutes. Accordingly, graduates shall receive certificates of technical excellence and technical degrees from the General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education. (Al Mustaqbal, July 2, 2019)

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Joint Lebanese-Cypriot undertaking to attract foreign tourists

3-7-2019

The minister of tourism, Avedis Guidanian, held a series of meetings yesterday with his Cypriot counterpart who arrived in Beirut and discussed ways to bolster tourism relations between the two Mediterranean countries. Both sides studied the possibility of setting up a joint touristic resort to be marketed internationally aiming to increase the number of tourists visiting Lebanon and Cyprus. Both parties also agreed to schedule bilateral meetings during the months of July and August at the level of the two ministers on the one hand, and between tour operators on the other, in preparation for launching joint undertakings during this upcoming September. (Al Diyar, July 3, 2019)

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Migrant foreign workers: Violence and unfair treatment in both Lebanon & Kazakhstan

3-7-2019

After a number of Arab workers, including Lebanese workers, were beaten in Kazakhstan by Kazakh colleagues over a picture showing one of them with a local woman (https://bit.ly/2xpr3Mt) , about 126 Lebanese workers with their families returned to Lebanon on a private jet under supervision from the Higher Relief Committee head, Maj. Gen. Mohamad Kheir. The latter clarified that an agreement has been reached between Consolidated Contractors company and the Lebanese workers requiring that the next two weeks be part of a summer retreat to revitalize their energy after what happened. Meanwhile, following a decision by the Government of Ethiopia banning its nationals from travel to Lebanon for work, as per the unsafe and unjust conditions for migrant workers, the Lebanese labor minister, Kamil Abu Sleiman, told Al Markaziya portal that his ministry has drafted and submitted to the cabinet a MoU demanding the resumption of the import of labor force from the African country based on observation of the rights and safety of Ethiopian workers. Abu Sleiman said the decision will become effective after its publishing in the official gazette. The minister also spoke about the sponsorship (Kafala system), stressing that he is currently reviewing a study on the matter in hope of ending the system altogether. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, July 3, 2019)

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Restaurants sector in Lebanon on world tourism map

2-7-2019

The head of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night Clubs and Patisseries in Lebanon, Tony Rami, stressed on June 28, that the tourism sector will continue to reflect the country’s cultural and civilized image to the world. The restaurant industry, he said, remains central in representing Lebanon on the global tourism map. Rami commended the high caliber services and products, not only of the Lebanese cuisine, but also of other diverse international gastronomies and nightlife attractions. Rami was speaking during an honoring ceremony organized by the Hospitality & Tourism Department and Adnan Kassar School of Business, LAU, in recognition of his achievements and contribution to the hospitality industry in Lebanon. Twelve other economic figures were honored as well. Among the women honorees, are, Zeina Afram, president of the Jounyeh Summer Festivals, and Pamela Mansour Mhanna, owner of MINE weddings and events planner. (Al Diyar, June 29, 2019)

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British company in Lebanon offers 6-month paid parental leave

2-7-2019

Diageo Lebanon, a premium British spirits company, announced that it will start implementing a 6-month paid maternity and paternity leave policy, hence becoming the first company in Lebanon to implement such policy. The decision, to recall, is part of the company’s global policy to be rolled out in various countries and covering all employees as of the first of July, regardless of when they started working at the company. The general manager of Diageo MENA, George Rbeiz, said the company decided to implement the policy instead of the Lebanese law and offer a 6-month paid maternity and paternity (parental) leave to its employees. This step, which is a recognition of the important role fathers play in raising families, builds the confidence of employees and changes their views about work and parenthood. It is worth mentioning, that around 40% of Diageo’s executive committee and 44% of its board are women, declaring the company as a leader in the inclusion and diversity of labor force. (An Nahar, Al Akhbar, July 2, 2019)

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Junieh Summer Festivals 2019

2-7-2019

Under the patronage of the minister of energy and water, Nada Bustani, and in the presence of the UAE ambassador to Lebanon, Hamad Saeid Shamsi, the Municipality of Junieh kicked off the Junieh Summer Festivals 2019 last Friday. Bustani toured the old souk which embraces many shops and artisan workshops, and showcases traditional Lebanese foodies. She lauded what she termed as the “folk festival which seeks to endorse the domestic industry, as well as other similar events across the country”. The ministry, Bustani maintained, sustains such development oriented festivities through implementing the electricity plan anticipated for the immediate future. For his part, Shamsi underlined the importance of the festival in strengthening Lebanon’s tourism, both internally and internationally. Likewise, Junieh mayor, Joan Hbeish, stressed the role of the festival in the revival of the town’s economy, noting that it extends far beyond its limited period. It is just the beginning, which hopefully will continue throughout the year. “Junieh will restore its touristic position, especially that we have worked to reopen the sea façade to its people to benefit from it,” Hbeish said. (Al Diyar, June 29, 2019)

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Wage differences between women and men in soccer

1-7-2019

In a special feature published today, Al Akhbar newspaper wrote that the world of soccer does not observe pay equality between men and women. The international game, the newspaper said, is governed to a great extent by a sexist mindset, particularly in the financial part. A few days back in the US, the equal pay lawsuit by Women National Team players resurfaced, Al Akhbar said, noting that the demands of female players were not impossible, but rather basic. Among these demands, is increasing the financial value corresponding to their representation of the National Team and raising the compensation for tournaments, particularly the World Cup, in addition to equal treatment in side benefits with relation to comfort in travel and accommodation. Al Akhbar went on to analyze, that Europe, namely France, is not as good in the treatment of its women football players. The proficient players of the Women National Team, Al Akhbar said, have raised their voices in protest demanding higher ceiling for the compensations should they win in the World Cup. (More on the following link: https://bit.ly/2Xjzg4a)

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