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High hopes on Minister Hassan for registering civil marriage

21-6-2019

In its issue of today, An Nahar addressed civil marriage in Lebanon pointing to a civil marriage contract registered in the country by two Lebanese lawyers living abroad. Abdallah Salam and Marie Joe Abi Nassif who live in NYC and teach law at prestigious US universities, have decided, by the virtue of love and the Constitution, to hold their civil marriage on Lebanese territory. An Nahar wrote, that erasing the sect from personal status documents facilitated legalizing the registration of civil contracts at the ministry of interior. The newspaper reminded its readers that back in 2013, and after Nidal Darwish and Kholud Sukarieh held their civil marriage in Lebanon, the Supreme Committee for Consultations at the Justice Ministry decided to consider legal all civil marriages conducted in the country by people who do not have any religious affiliation, and the right to choose the civil law they want to govern their marital and family life. The newspaper went on to say, that the registration of civil marriage contracts between couples who rubbed out the sect from their personal registers, has been suspended during the term of Nuhad Mashnouq as interior minister for political and sectarian considerations. Today, it all depends on the present minister Raya Hassan, given not only her progressive stand in support of optional and civil marriage which she admitted earlier, but also her insistence on the application of the Constitution. (An Nahar, June 21, 2019)

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My Nationality Campaign categorically rejects discriminatory laws proposals

21-6-2019

My Nationality is a Right for Me and My Family Campaign held a press conference yesterday at the Press Syndicate in which it announced its rejection of the racist and discriminatory proposals on the nationality law. It pointed to the drafts stacked in the Legislature to lay bare the practices that undermined the right of Lebanese women married to non-Lebanese to confer citizenship to their children. The press conference was attended by representatives of local and international civil society groups, syndicate members, academics, activists and women and families concerned with the demands of the Campaign. During the conference, the Press Syndicate vice president, Dr. Faoud Harakeh, repeated the Syndicate’s support of the Campaign’s demands, appealing to the prime minister and House Speaker to give the issue due attention. For her part, the executive director of Women’s Learning Partnership, Lina Abu Habib, voiced her surprise over the proposals submitted, namely the NCLW draft which she termed as bigoted. She pointed out that the Campaign kicked off from Lebanon in 2000 to reach most of the Arab countries, noting that many have amended their laws accordingly in terms of recognition of the rights of women, while Lebanon dragged behind. The Lebanese State did not acknowledge the rights of women, but not that only, it also stigmatized the issue by employing political and sectarian sways. Similarly, the head of the Lebanese Council of Women, Iqbal Doughan, said that while a number of proposals are currently submitted to the Parliament, and some of them promote equal rights and are relatively fair to women, yet this diversity can be in point of fact an intrigue to continue with denying those rights. The coordinator of My Nationality Campaign, Karima Chebbo, reiterated her support for the proposals filed by MPs Hadi Abul Hissen and Roula Tabsh and which noticeably endorse the Campaigns demands, but turned down the blinkered draft proposed by NCLW. Chebbo revealed official procrastination in stepping up a debate of the above two proposals by concerned parliamentary committees under unwanted pretexts. She finally warned that the Campaign’s upcoming move will take to the steps of the Legislature to push the draft bills from the Parliament Secretariat to the committees. (My Nationality Campaign statement can be found on the link below: (https://bit.ly/31PebNp)
 

Previous related news:
Personal status and nationality laws deprive women of their right
Lebanon promotes nationality for descendants while women’s right withheld
Nationality Campaign: Bassil’s “Guide” ignores Lebanese women’s fundamental rights
My Nationality Campaign denounces NCLW proposed discriminatory draft bill
My Nationality is a Right for Me and My Family cooperation with Democratic Gathering
 

 

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Dismantling stereotypes of women in education and culture

21-6-2019

Under the patronage of NCLW president, Claudine Aoun Rukuz, the Arab Women Organization (AWO) organized a workshop in Beirut yesterday under the theme, ‘Dismantling stereotypes in education and culture in Arab societies’. The two-day event, held with the participation of 10 countries, including Jordan, Tunisia, Iraq, Oman, Palestine, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Yemen and Lebanon, aims to challenge discrimination and establish equality in education and culture through targeting decision makers in the two fields. The event also seeks to change the stereotypical societal culture of the roles and capacities of women and girls and replacing them with content that respects gender equality. The workshop includes an applied training session which involves dividing participants to work groups on child targeted cultural productions to come out with recommendations on child targeted cultural, educational and psychological content. On the occasion, Rukuz pointed out that the catch through which we address women’s issues in terms of the impact of culture and education, stresses the responsibility of all players in society in lifting discrimination which women still endure. She noted that the responsibility lies on families, educators and caretakers. (Al Diyar, June 21, 2019)

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Hariri reiterates commitment to women’s political participation

20-6-2019

The National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) held a round table discussion at the Serail yesterday to present “The National Plan for the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security’, to national and international stakeholders. On the occasion, Prime Minister Saad Hariri underlined his commitment to the involvement of women in political decisions at all levels and the provision of mechanisms to prevent conflicts, stressing the need to recruit the largest number of women within the ranks of the security apparatus. He reiterated his personal determination and that of his government to enforce the plan, hoping it will be approved by the Cabinet in the near future. For her part, NCLW President, Claudine Aoun Rukuz, said, “We all dream of stability in a society that observes equality between men and women.” The above 4-year action plan, she stated, will pave the way to sustainable peace and gender equality. Similarly, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon pointed out that the said plan will give room for the political participation and economic empowerment for women, in addition to protection and promotion of their rights. It is expected to provide a new set of operative tools and resources needed to bolster chances for peace, development and work to achieve gender equality. (Al Mustaqbal, June 20, 2019)

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Personal status and nationality laws deprive women of their right

20-6-2019

The executive director of Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights, Development and Peace (WLP), Lina Abu Habib, said that in a patriarchal system like Lebanon, which is immune to reforms, excuses will always be found to deprive women of their rights. Abu Habib who was speaking to L’Orient Le Jour after her participation in Women Deliver conference in Canada, said inequality is the main hitch. In personal status matters for example, the Lebanese State treats men as complete while totally disregarding the other half of its population, women, Abu Habib explained. She attributed this to the prevalent patriarchal system, on the one hand, and the reckless attitude of the State towards its citizens, on the other. Abu Habib, who is also a co-founder of My Nationality is A Right for Me and My Family Campaign, run by CRTDA, criticized the current nationality law of 1925. On the pretext of preventing permanent settlement, she said, Lebanese women are stripped of their right to confer citizenship to their family members, noting that the majority of mixed marriages involve Lebanese men and Syrian or Palestinian women, insinuating as well to the Presidential Naturalization Decree which is based on unclear grounds. The Women’s Learning Partnership, Abu Habib maintained, is currently conducting a survey in 11 countries, including Lebanon, on reforms in personal status legislations, with the aim to mobilize an international campaign with a clear task to push for gender equality. Inequality starts from the family, she explained, especially that the sectarian personal status laws in the country control marriage, divorce, inheritance and children custody matters, contrary to democracy and law. On the other hand, Abu Habib tried to not appear totally pessimistic, referring to the nationality amendment proposals submitted recently to the Legislature, but critiqued the NCLW chief’s draft in this regard. Abu Habib, who will be holding a press conference today on the nationality law, stressed that challenges are big, but she will not relinquish efforts to change reality. (L’Orient Le Jour, June 20, 2019)

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BLC committed to women’s economic empowerment

20-6-2019

Chairperson of BLC Bank, Nadim Kassar, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed to empower women economically and providing all facilities needed to secure equal opportunities in the labor market and in leadership. Kassar was speaking during the Financial Alliance for Women Summit held in Paris from June 17 to 19. We have implemented policies and reforms, participated in the UN Principles for the Empowerment of Women and encouraged qualified women to seize managerial positions, which resulted in a diverse and inclusive management, Kassar maintained. He said, Lebanon today faces big economic challenges which necessitates growth and the expansion of the GDP to be twice its size today, explaining that closing the gender gap will increase the GDP by 9%. Kassar stressed that the private and public sectors should join forces to develop and upgrade laws to the end of eliminating discrimination and giving women their basic rights to ensure gender equality. Kassar pointed to a number of incentives and measures by the bank aimed to inspire women and ease their access to the labor market. Recalling, that during the summit, Kassar received the trophy for Women’s Market Champion Outstanding Engagement Award. (Al Diyar, June 20, 2019)

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Ehmej Festivals from 15 to 18 August

20-6-2019

In a press conference held at the ministry of tourism and in the presence of Byblos MPs, Minister Avedis Guidanian, launched yesterday the 9th edition of the Ehmej Touristic Festivals. During the ceremony, Ehmej mayor, Nazih Abu Semaan, lamented the policy of austerity by the government, citing challenges that faced the festivals over the past 8 years until now. Jbeil deputies, for their part, thanked the municipality for its continuous efforts to organize the festival, notwithstanding the currently dire economic situation, noting that the Ehmej Festival has landed on the internal tourism map. Likewise, Guidanian pointed out that festivals constitute the backbone of domestic tourism, hoping his expectations of a promising summer season will come true. Recalling, that the Ehmej Festival will take place this year from August 15 to 18, with the participation of Lebanese stars. (Al Diyar, June 20, 2019)

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Wheat farmers' entitlements still pending

19-6-2019

The head of the Beqaa Farmers’ Gathering, Ibrahim Tarshishi, appealed to the ministers of economy and finance to step up payment of dues to wheat growers for 2018. He said some 500 farmers are still awaiting their reimbursements, noting that Baalbaq Hermel and Beqaa farmers have started this year’s harvest of nearly 125,000 dunums, but they fear delay in collecting the supplies, as was the case in previous seasons. Tarshishi revealed that only 60 wheat growers have received compensation after talks with a member of the Legislature. The Lebanese State treats farmers like beggars, he said, leaving them in anticipation of the promises of the economy ministry which claims to have referred the allocations to the finance ministry, and the latter has not signed to date for routine fiscal procedures. According to Al Akhbar daily, this current year’s production of wheat is estimated between 45,000 and 50,000 tons, pointing out that Lebanon’s yearly import of the crop stands at 500,000 tons. Tarshishi pointed out that Lebanon exports to Jordan, Turkey and Iraq for alleged reasons that the domestically-grown wheat is not suitable for flour and baking, while reminding that wheat seeds are provided by the state-run Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute. On the subject, the owner of ADCO, Rabii Khamis said things can be catastrophic, especially amidst a pressing economic crisis which threatens to shut down many businesses. (Al Akhbar, June 19, 2019)

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Lebanon promotes nationality for descendants while women’s right withheld

19-6-2019

While proposals are underway to amend the nationality law in the interest of the rights of Lebanese women, specifically that submitted by NCLW head, which was criticized as discriminatory by My Nationality is A Right for Me and My Family Campaign, President Michel Aoun, declared on June 17 that Lebanon is ready to grant citizenship to any male descendant of Lebanese origin wishing to restore it. He pointed out that the country now needs the support of Lebanese emigrants to be able to face the dire conditions and challenges at all levels, as he put it. In a related development, President Aoun asked a delegation of Maronite bishops in the Diaspora who visited him yesterday, to encourage Lebanese migrants reinstate their Lebanese nationality. This step, Aoun maintained, can facilitate Lebanese expatriates to communicate with Lebanese citizens resident in Lebanon even if they didn’t return permanently to their country of origin. Recalling, that FPM chief, foreign minister, Gebran Bassil, launched on June 7 the so-termed ‘Nationality Guide’ that sets rules to acquire the Lebanese citizenship, but which was critiqued by My Nationality Campaign for overlooking the rights of Lebanese women (https://bit.ly/2Xlqfqw). (Annahar 18,19 June 2019)

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Advocacy training on gender & trade

19-6-2019

The chairperson of the Supreme Council of Arab Women Organization (AWO), head of the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), Claudine Aoun Rukuz, opened on June 17 the national training session on ‘advocacy skills on gender and trade’. The event was organized by NCLW and the Center of Arab Woman for Training and Research, CAWTAR, as part of the “Promoting Women’s Empowerment to Achieve Equality in the Middle East and the MENA region through Gender Mainstreaming in Economic Policies and Trade Agreements” project with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation. This came in parallel with similar workshops held in Algeria, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. The aim of the two-day workshop is to provide participants with the required tools and knowledge in evidence-based advocacy for change to enhance women's economic participation and access to trade markets nationally, regionally and internationally. Noting that, it complements the regional training course on the same subject held in Beirut last March, and the regional seminar on “Documentation and Strategic Planning” held in Tunisia this past January. (An Nahar, June 19, 2019)

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