boston.com Passport
By Fatema Haji-Taki
May 5, 2009
IFRANE, Morocco -- For the past five days, a group of Moroccan students and young-adult activists from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Tunisia and Algeria have been working intensely together in workshops building bridges among themselves and improving skills for creating interfaith community programs in their own countries.
From working to ease interfaith tensions in Egypt and Yemen to advancing women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, these activists are dedicated to sharing their expertise and acquiring new skills on how to effectively plan events, launch campaigns, and secure funding for their field work to promote religious and political freedom in their countries. The workshops emphasize how to translate their online activism to real-world organizing and leadership skills that participants can put to work in practical ways in their home communities.
Ironically, some participants were unable to attend because their visa applications were not approved in time, or, in the case of a prominent Baha’i activist from Egypt, it became too dangerous for her to travel. The empty seats were a stark reminder of the lack of religious and political freedom in most Arab countries.
Jesse Sage, Nasser Weddady and Lauren Murphy from Hands Across the Middle East Support Alliance, a Boston-based nonprofit, and I organized and are facilitating the conference, “Interfaith Leadership Seminar: From the Virtual to the Real World,” at Al Akhawayn University, an English-language college in Ifrane.
Jewish in the Arab world
During the conference the participants met Moroccan Raphael Elmaleh, believed to be the only Jewish tour guide in the Arab world. He is also a founder of the only Jewish museum in the Arab world in Casablanca. Elmaleh’s passion in life is to research the Jewish heritage of Morocco and restore the synagogues and other sites that were left behind by the Jews more than 40 years ago.
“I’m proud to be a Jew in an Arab country,” he says. On Sunday, all the participants had a chance to visit Fez while he showed us the old Jewish Quarter and the cemeteries and the synagogues left behind. For many, this was the first time they had been exposed to the Jewish heritage in an Arab country. By the end of the day, the bond that he created with the rest of the group was heartening.
At first, he acknowledged he was nervous talking about his work to a group of Arab young people from across the Middle East whom he had never met before. But working with the group for two days has changed his mind and he is excited to talk about how Jews and Muslims coexisted peacefully in Morocco and what that means for the future. During dinner yesterday, all of the participants gave him a standing ovation for his dedication while the Moroccan students sang the national anthem. The expression on Elmaleh’s face was invaluable.
Freedom of the press in Yemen
Unfortunately, on Monday, we also learned that an independent newspaper run by one of the Yemeni participants, Abdullah Abdulwahab Naji Qaid, was shut down by Yemeni authorities. Abdullah is a founding member and the General Activity Supervisor of the al-Tagheer Organization for Rights and Freedom Defense, an NGO based in Yemen. He has previously participated in seminars on religious freedom which addressed discrimination against Yemen's Zaidi community.
(Fatema Haji-Taki/UUSC photo)
Yemeni journalist Abdullah Abdulwahab Naji Qaid
When the news broke, the mood among all of us turned solemn. It was a grave reminder of the difficult circumstances these activists work in and the challenges ahead of them after they return home. As the night wore on, the solidarity between all of us for Qaid’s work was palpable. Many are working to organize a campaign for him while others are planning to spread the word through Facebook, their blogs and other online networks.
As a non-Arab Muslim-American human rights activist, I am humbled by the work of my peers. Through the last few days, I’ve seen them work together, debate their differences, sing and dance together. They have created a support network for each other. They are all invested in each others’ success because they all are committed to religious and political freedom in the Arab world.
What they have experienced together as a team will stay with them for the rest of their lives. As they go back, they will face obstacles and there will be times when they will want to give up. My only hope is they will remember the solidarity they experienced this past week and keep soldiering on because they are the future leaders of the Arab world.
Showing posts with label lebanon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lebanon. Show all posts
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Lebanon: Lebanon’s politicians urged to focus on human rights in election campaigns
Communiqué from Amnesty International/US - Lebanon’s electorate goes to the polls in a national election on 7 June. Amnesty International has written an open letter to political leaders calling on them to put human rights at the centre of their election campaign.
In the letter published on Thursday, Irene Khan, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, urges political leaders in the country to firmly entrench the protection and promotion of human rights in both the law and in practice. The letter identifies five key steps:
* Reform the justice system to ensure it is independent and to guarantee fair trials;
* End all arbitrary detention and torture and other ill-treatment;
* End impunity for grave human rights violations and establish mechanisms to ensure justice, truth and reparation for victims of past gross abuses of human rights;
* End all discrimination and violence and other abuses against women and members of marginalised groups;
* Enact legislation to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
Irene Khan also urged campaigning parties to display respect for freedom of expression, assembly and other rights essential to the conduct of political life during their campaigns.
Political divisions in Lebanon have hindered the full realization of human rights in the country. The June elections represent a new opportunity to build upon the period following the Doha Agreement of last May, the formation of the national unity government and the subsequent election of Michel Suleiman as President.
There have been some positive human rights developments in the country in recent months. In December 2008, Lebanon ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. In addition, a draft law to abolish the death penalty is now under active consideration.
The Lebanese authorities have also clearly recognized that concrete action is needed to improve the conditions of thousands of migrant domestic workers and hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who live in the country.
The establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in February and the current parliament’s development of a national Human Rights Action Plan are two other potentially positive developments, which if built upon could help lead to a far-reaching programme of human rights reform.
23 April 2009
In the letter published on Thursday, Irene Khan, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, urges political leaders in the country to firmly entrench the protection and promotion of human rights in both the law and in practice. The letter identifies five key steps:
* Reform the justice system to ensure it is independent and to guarantee fair trials;
* End all arbitrary detention and torture and other ill-treatment;
* End impunity for grave human rights violations and establish mechanisms to ensure justice, truth and reparation for victims of past gross abuses of human rights;
* End all discrimination and violence and other abuses against women and members of marginalised groups;
* Enact legislation to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
Irene Khan also urged campaigning parties to display respect for freedom of expression, assembly and other rights essential to the conduct of political life during their campaigns.
Political divisions in Lebanon have hindered the full realization of human rights in the country. The June elections represent a new opportunity to build upon the period following the Doha Agreement of last May, the formation of the national unity government and the subsequent election of Michel Suleiman as President.
There have been some positive human rights developments in the country in recent months. In December 2008, Lebanon ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. In addition, a draft law to abolish the death penalty is now under active consideration.
The Lebanese authorities have also clearly recognized that concrete action is needed to improve the conditions of thousands of migrant domestic workers and hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who live in the country.
The establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in February and the current parliament’s development of a national Human Rights Action Plan are two other potentially positive developments, which if built upon could help lead to a far-reaching programme of human rights reform.
23 April 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Lebanon: Lebanese wives of foreigners demand equal rights
AFP
Apr 9, 2009
BEIRUT (AFP) — Lebanese women married to foreigners demanded in Beirut on Thursday the right to pass on their nationality to their children, threatening to boycott June elections if they do not get their way.
"You will not have our votes, and next time there will be more of us across Lebanon," the women shouted at a demonstration organised by a branch of the League of Lebanese Women's Rights.
The organisers estimate there are 18,000 such women in the country affected by a law that bars them from passing citizenship to their children.
The measure is widely viewed as an attempt to prevent refugees in Lebanon from getting citizenship.
Thousands of Palestinians fled to Lebanon when Israel was created in 1948, and the country hosts 410,000 of them and their descendants, most of whom live in refugee camps and are denied many basic rights.
Bariha Haraji, a 39-year-old mother of two married to a Palestinian, says she suffers because of the law.
"My husband was born in Lebanon. My children were born in Lebanon. They are Lebanese. They have nothing to do with Palestine, and still they are denied Lebanese citizenship," Haraji told AFP.
Siham Jabbour, 43, says the "government is punishing me because I married a non-Lebanese."
Also a mother of two, whose husband is Georgian, she tells of the hours she spends in offices to renew her children's residency papers.
"I pay my taxes. I work to support my family, and no one gives a damn what we go through every day," she said.
Lebanon heads to the polls on June 7 for a parliamentary election that many say will define the country's future, at least for the next four years.
Apr 9, 2009
BEIRUT (AFP) — Lebanese women married to foreigners demanded in Beirut on Thursday the right to pass on their nationality to their children, threatening to boycott June elections if they do not get their way.
"You will not have our votes, and next time there will be more of us across Lebanon," the women shouted at a demonstration organised by a branch of the League of Lebanese Women's Rights.
The organisers estimate there are 18,000 such women in the country affected by a law that bars them from passing citizenship to their children.
The measure is widely viewed as an attempt to prevent refugees in Lebanon from getting citizenship.
Thousands of Palestinians fled to Lebanon when Israel was created in 1948, and the country hosts 410,000 of them and their descendants, most of whom live in refugee camps and are denied many basic rights.
Bariha Haraji, a 39-year-old mother of two married to a Palestinian, says she suffers because of the law.
"My husband was born in Lebanon. My children were born in Lebanon. They are Lebanese. They have nothing to do with Palestine, and still they are denied Lebanese citizenship," Haraji told AFP.
Siham Jabbour, 43, says the "government is punishing me because I married a non-Lebanese."
Also a mother of two, whose husband is Georgian, she tells of the hours she spends in offices to renew her children's residency papers.
"I pay my taxes. I work to support my family, and no one gives a damn what we go through every day," she said.
Lebanon heads to the polls on June 7 for a parliamentary election that many say will define the country's future, at least for the next four years.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Lebanon: Sison hosts Lebanese women with political ambitions
By Dalila Mahdawi
Daily Star staff
AWKAR: The US Embassy in Beirut hosted a luncheon on Wednesday for Lebanese participants of a US-sponsored "Election Exchange Program" held from October- November.
Almost 50 women political leaders from the Middle East and North Africa traveled to the US "to learn from the US experience in electoral campaigning," discuss the status of democratic, educational, economic and reform efforts in their home countries and witness the US presidential elections, a US Embassy press release said. All women are intending to stand for political positions in their home countries.
US Ambassador Michele Sison welcomed eight of the 13 Lebanese participants at her residence to discuss their experiences during the program.
Ghada al-Yafi, who plans to run in the 2009 elections as an independent candidate, told The Daily Star she had found the program "very enriching, especially for formulating ideas on how to promote democracy and learning tools to bring about change." She, like many other participants, expressed her optimism that women could help bring about political reform in Lebanon.
According to Ferial Abu-Hamdan, a project manager at the General Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and who served as a municipal council member from 1998-2004, "The main thing that struck me during the program was the time spent planning and managing campaigns, and how involved young people are in political life." Lebanese were not nearly as committed to volunteer work, she said.
The program impressed on her the necessity of educating people about the importance of voting and spreading political awareness. "If you don't vote, you can't complain," she said.
Dunia al-Khoury, president of the Women's Association of Deir al-Ahmar and one-time representative of the Bekaa to the Lebanese government, reiterated the importance of political involvement. "Lebanon is like a puzzle, each citizen should take part."
Although Lebanese women are increasingly taking on leading positions in the private and educational sectors, they face many obstacles entering politics. Women constitute roughly 56 percent of the population, and yet have less than 5 percent representation in government, numbering only five members of Parliament and one minister.
One difficulty faced by Arab women politicians, said Hamdan, is that "women aren't taken seriously. When I was I at the municipality, I had to continuously defend myself and my ideas ... I was in a higher position than others, but still I wasn't taken seriously because I was a woman."
Women activists have long been calling for a 35 percent quota in representation in the Lebanese government. Addressing the possibility of implementing such a quota, Yafi said, "I'm not for quotas because they go against the principle of democracy, but I am for a women's quota at least during the period of candidacy." According to Khoury, a quota would be "a simple way for women to enter politics. The Lebanese mentality cannot envision women as decision makers."
Implementing a woman's quota would be problematic, as Lebanon already has a quota in place for religious groups. "It is important for democracy to be based on secularism," Yafi said, hoping the religious quota would be abolished.
Daily Star staff
AWKAR: The US Embassy in Beirut hosted a luncheon on Wednesday for Lebanese participants of a US-sponsored "Election Exchange Program" held from October- November.
Almost 50 women political leaders from the Middle East and North Africa traveled to the US "to learn from the US experience in electoral campaigning," discuss the status of democratic, educational, economic and reform efforts in their home countries and witness the US presidential elections, a US Embassy press release said. All women are intending to stand for political positions in their home countries.
US Ambassador Michele Sison welcomed eight of the 13 Lebanese participants at her residence to discuss their experiences during the program.
Ghada al-Yafi, who plans to run in the 2009 elections as an independent candidate, told The Daily Star she had found the program "very enriching, especially for formulating ideas on how to promote democracy and learning tools to bring about change." She, like many other participants, expressed her optimism that women could help bring about political reform in Lebanon.
According to Ferial Abu-Hamdan, a project manager at the General Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and who served as a municipal council member from 1998-2004, "The main thing that struck me during the program was the time spent planning and managing campaigns, and how involved young people are in political life." Lebanese were not nearly as committed to volunteer work, she said.
The program impressed on her the necessity of educating people about the importance of voting and spreading political awareness. "If you don't vote, you can't complain," she said.
Dunia al-Khoury, president of the Women's Association of Deir al-Ahmar and one-time representative of the Bekaa to the Lebanese government, reiterated the importance of political involvement. "Lebanon is like a puzzle, each citizen should take part."
Although Lebanese women are increasingly taking on leading positions in the private and educational sectors, they face many obstacles entering politics. Women constitute roughly 56 percent of the population, and yet have less than 5 percent representation in government, numbering only five members of Parliament and one minister.
One difficulty faced by Arab women politicians, said Hamdan, is that "women aren't taken seriously. When I was I at the municipality, I had to continuously defend myself and my ideas ... I was in a higher position than others, but still I wasn't taken seriously because I was a woman."
Women activists have long been calling for a 35 percent quota in representation in the Lebanese government. Addressing the possibility of implementing such a quota, Yafi said, "I'm not for quotas because they go against the principle of democracy, but I am for a women's quota at least during the period of candidacy." According to Khoury, a quota would be "a simple way for women to enter politics. The Lebanese mentality cannot envision women as decision makers."
Implementing a woman's quota would be problematic, as Lebanon already has a quota in place for religious groups. "It is important for democracy to be based on secularism," Yafi said, hoping the religious quota would be abolished.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Middle East: Women of Jordan join the Women Business Leaders Summit in Bahrain
Women business executives from Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and Palestine joined together with women business leaders from the US joined to share their experiences and exchange best practices in a variety of panel discussions and fact finding visits around Bahrain and Dubai over the course of the week.
In their meeting with Deputy King Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, his royal highness 'Hailed the role of women in various domains in which they have proved their extraordinary ability to manage different businesses. He also urged them to create contact channels among Arab and US business women', Gulf Daily News.
The Bahrain summit, which builds on the previous success of Washington D.C. summit and the summit held in Jordan last February 2007, addresses the challenges faced by all women in business, and establishes connections on professional levels.
The summit programme included meetings with H.E. Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa and Sheikha Meriam Al Khalifa. Delegates visited the cultural and economic zones of Bahrain and participated in presentations and brainstorm sessions focusing on the exchange of business information and exports and joints ventures, as well as the capitalisation on existing and potential business relationships between the delegates and the organisations they represent.
'The Women Business Leaders Summit has been a unique spot for the Arab business women leaders to exchange their experiences with their business counterparts from the Middle East and the US. The Arab women were historically good merchants and we know that borders frequently visited by traders are seldom in disputes. I would also like to thank the chairman of the Red Cross Ms Bonnie McElveen-Hunter who has inspired the group with her dedicated efforts and focus on business and women leadership. Women from Jordan represented the ICT sector through the participation of ESKADENIA Software and the Information Technology Association of Jordan (int@j), Bidaya Corporate Communications, the Pharmaceutical industry through the participation of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and Jordan's reputable NGO INJAZ,' said Doha Abdelkhaleq, member of the board of directors of the Information Technology Association of Jordan int@j and Executive Director at ESKADENIA Software.
-- AMEINFO.COM
In their meeting with Deputy King Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, his royal highness 'Hailed the role of women in various domains in which they have proved their extraordinary ability to manage different businesses. He also urged them to create contact channels among Arab and US business women', Gulf Daily News.
The Bahrain summit, which builds on the previous success of Washington D.C. summit and the summit held in Jordan last February 2007, addresses the challenges faced by all women in business, and establishes connections on professional levels.
The summit programme included meetings with H.E. Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa and Sheikha Meriam Al Khalifa. Delegates visited the cultural and economic zones of Bahrain and participated in presentations and brainstorm sessions focusing on the exchange of business information and exports and joints ventures, as well as the capitalisation on existing and potential business relationships between the delegates and the organisations they represent.
'The Women Business Leaders Summit has been a unique spot for the Arab business women leaders to exchange their experiences with their business counterparts from the Middle East and the US. The Arab women were historically good merchants and we know that borders frequently visited by traders are seldom in disputes. I would also like to thank the chairman of the Red Cross Ms Bonnie McElveen-Hunter who has inspired the group with her dedicated efforts and focus on business and women leadership. Women from Jordan represented the ICT sector through the participation of ESKADENIA Software and the Information Technology Association of Jordan (int@j), Bidaya Corporate Communications, the Pharmaceutical industry through the participation of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and Jordan's reputable NGO INJAZ,' said Doha Abdelkhaleq, member of the board of directors of the Information Technology Association of Jordan int@j and Executive Director at ESKADENIA Software.
-- AMEINFO.COM
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Middle East: Mideast women seek more clout
A group visits Maine under a program to help women achieve gains in Middle Eastern politics.
Mona Abdulrahman Al-Anbari will head back to Qatar next month, energized to work for a particular candidate for the national legislature -- partly because of what she saw in Maine.
Al-Anbari, a journalist who is thinking of trying for a local office herself, said seeing women run for some of Maine's highest political offices, including the U.S. Senate and House, has convinced her that women in Qatar need to take on a bigger role in that country's political process.
"When I get home, I will certainly be pushing for (more) women to participate in elections," she said through an interpreter. She plans to back one woman candidate who wants a quota to make sure that women make up a sizable portion of the Qatar legislature.
Al-Anbari, visiting Maine as part of the State Department's Middle East Partnership Initiative, said she was particularly impressed to see Maine women forcefully advocate positions, both as political workers and as candidates themselves.
The group that visited Maine consisted of 10 women from the Middle East -- politicians, party workers, activists, educators and journalists -- along with translators and State Department officials. While here since Sunday, they received briefings on Maine government and politics; met with officials from Emerge Maine, which runs a political training program for Democratic women; went to the campaign office of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine; met with state Sen. Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport, president of the Maine Senate; and met with Cape Elizabeth High School social studies classes and the student World Affairs Council.
Access to politics and public office varies widely across the Middle East. In some countries, such as Lebanon, women are mostly welcomed as equals in the political world, said May Tony Akl.
Akl is an official with the Free Patriotic Movement, which was one of the political groups active in the "Cedar Revolution" of 2005, which resulted in the ouster of Syrian forces from Lebanon. The country only recently revamped its election laws, getting rid of a system under which the Syrians controlled voting and effectively named the winners, Akl said.
Akl said Lebanese political parties now face many of the same issues parties in the United States have, grappling with how many paid staffers should be hired, encouraging volunteers and figuring out fundraising.
Lebanon has six or seven major parties, often set up along religious lines, said Maya Sukar, who works for the Christian-based Lebanese Forces Party.
Sukar said many Lebanese women don't like politics, so she hopes telling them about how involved women are in the U.S. might lead to a change of heart and encourage more to become candidates or work for a party.
Al-Anbari said things are improving in politics for women in her country. She said the law was only recently changed to allow women to run for the national legislature, providing an opportunity for women like the one who wants to institute a quota.
"I am ambitious now and want to offer her help," Al-Anbari said.
The law was also only recently changed to allow women to run for office in the United Arab Emirates, said Suaad Zaayed Ibrahim Al Oraimi. She said half of the legislature is elected popularly and half selected by the government. In the most recent election, one woman won a seat and eight were appointed, giving women nine of 40 seats.
"It's good. I am happy with that," said Al Oraimi, a professor.
Al Oraimi said getting UAE residents interested in politics and government can be difficult. With oil revenue, the country provides free housing, health care and education and is responsible for creating most of the jobs that are available.
With that amount of government support, she said, many residents just want to make sure the services keep coming.
"They are comfortable and don't feel the need to fight for everything," she said.
The program began Oct. 14 in Washington with a series of seminars on the U.S. political system and then visits to states. After wrapping up the visit to Portland today, the group will head to Seattle to observe the last days of political races there and watch the results of the voting Tuesday.
-- Portland Press Herald
Mona Abdulrahman Al-Anbari will head back to Qatar next month, energized to work for a particular candidate for the national legislature -- partly because of what she saw in Maine.
Al-Anbari, a journalist who is thinking of trying for a local office herself, said seeing women run for some of Maine's highest political offices, including the U.S. Senate and House, has convinced her that women in Qatar need to take on a bigger role in that country's political process.
"When I get home, I will certainly be pushing for (more) women to participate in elections," she said through an interpreter. She plans to back one woman candidate who wants a quota to make sure that women make up a sizable portion of the Qatar legislature.
Al-Anbari, visiting Maine as part of the State Department's Middle East Partnership Initiative, said she was particularly impressed to see Maine women forcefully advocate positions, both as political workers and as candidates themselves.
The group that visited Maine consisted of 10 women from the Middle East -- politicians, party workers, activists, educators and journalists -- along with translators and State Department officials. While here since Sunday, they received briefings on Maine government and politics; met with officials from Emerge Maine, which runs a political training program for Democratic women; went to the campaign office of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine; met with state Sen. Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport, president of the Maine Senate; and met with Cape Elizabeth High School social studies classes and the student World Affairs Council.
Access to politics and public office varies widely across the Middle East. In some countries, such as Lebanon, women are mostly welcomed as equals in the political world, said May Tony Akl.
Akl is an official with the Free Patriotic Movement, which was one of the political groups active in the "Cedar Revolution" of 2005, which resulted in the ouster of Syrian forces from Lebanon. The country only recently revamped its election laws, getting rid of a system under which the Syrians controlled voting and effectively named the winners, Akl said.
Akl said Lebanese political parties now face many of the same issues parties in the United States have, grappling with how many paid staffers should be hired, encouraging volunteers and figuring out fundraising.
Lebanon has six or seven major parties, often set up along religious lines, said Maya Sukar, who works for the Christian-based Lebanese Forces Party.
Sukar said many Lebanese women don't like politics, so she hopes telling them about how involved women are in the U.S. might lead to a change of heart and encourage more to become candidates or work for a party.
Al-Anbari said things are improving in politics for women in her country. She said the law was only recently changed to allow women to run for the national legislature, providing an opportunity for women like the one who wants to institute a quota.
"I am ambitious now and want to offer her help," Al-Anbari said.
The law was also only recently changed to allow women to run for office in the United Arab Emirates, said Suaad Zaayed Ibrahim Al Oraimi. She said half of the legislature is elected popularly and half selected by the government. In the most recent election, one woman won a seat and eight were appointed, giving women nine of 40 seats.
"It's good. I am happy with that," said Al Oraimi, a professor.
Al Oraimi said getting UAE residents interested in politics and government can be difficult. With oil revenue, the country provides free housing, health care and education and is responsible for creating most of the jobs that are available.
With that amount of government support, she said, many residents just want to make sure the services keep coming.
"They are comfortable and don't feel the need to fight for everything," she said.
The program began Oct. 14 in Washington with a series of seminars on the U.S. political system and then visits to states. After wrapping up the visit to Portland today, the group will head to Seattle to observe the last days of political races there and watch the results of the voting Tuesday.
-- Portland Press Herald
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Lebanon: Women's forum in Beirut gets off to awkward start
Audience questions unanswered, interrupted
By Ghenwa Yehia
Special to The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The second annual New Arab Women's Forum (NAWF) began the first half of its panel discussions on Thursday at the InterContinental Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut. The purpose of NAWF is to create an open and honest environment in which to discuss the political, economical, social and cultural situations of the Arab woman in today's changing world. The forum brought together a select group of high-profile speakers and participants to share ideas and opinions on these issues, which were separated into several panel discussions. The topics for Thursday included: the Leadership Mystique; Women in Business; Women, Education and Technology; and Women in Politics.
Master of ceremonies George Kordahi, a celebrated TV presenter, was quick to start off the day on a positive note.
"It is high time that we start discussing the issues facing the Arab woman today in our changing world," he told the 200-plus members of the audience and journalists covering the event. "We can no longer ignore the situation ... so it's important that we start developing plans and strategies that enable women to improve their position in our societies in the future."
The opening ceremony included speeches by Nadine Abou Zaki, editor-in-chief of Al-Hasnaa magazine and NAWF executive officer; Hanna Sorour, director of the Department of Women's Affairs, at the Arab League; and Tammam Salam, Lebanon's Minister of Culture.
"Women are the crux of society," Salam said. "We are calling for the restoration of women's rights based on basic human's rights. We need equal rights in all areas."
An award ceremony honouring Education Minister Bahia Hariri, Princess Nouf bint Faisal bin Turki al-Saud, and Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi followed. Hariri and Ashrawi, who were in attendance, were met with thunderous applause when they accepted their awards.
"Equality and freedom are not gifts from men," Ashwari said after accepting her award. "They are a right of women to her from her society."
The spectacle of optimism and hopefulness ended with the opening ceremony.
The panel discussions began with noticeably smaller numbers of participants. And what was supposed to be an open forum often seemed more like a closed discussion between the experts in attendance. When it did come time for audience participation, participants were rushed due to a time shortage, and sometimes even cut off. Many audience questions were often answered vaguely or were left completely unanswered.
At one point, a Lebanese woman stood up and declared that the panelists were simply swapping their own personal success stories instead of "suggesting the types of requests and rights women need to make for their own improvement."
A Saudi woman followed, describing her own situation in her home country. "What is my solution?" she asked?
When solutions were offered or the discussion turned interesting, it was often hard to hear over various people talking on cell phones or to their neighbors.
At one point, an audience member turned around to confront noisemakers in the back of the room, only to find that the people in question were connected to a major sponsor.
Despite this, Abou Zaki said the fact that the forum was taking place, especially in Beirut, was a step in the right direction.
"Compared to other countries, Lebanon has achieved a lot concerning the issues of women's rights," she argued. "It is a country moving forward on the right track. But Lebanon, as well as all Arab countries, all have areas they need to improve."
The main point Abou Zaki stressed was that change and improvement would not happen overnight. "The forum acts as the beginning of a long-term plan for changing policies and providing solutions for Arab women," she said.
"The forum is an open, honest discussion," she added. "But change should be evolutionary, not revolutionary. Radical change could bring negative consequences. So here we are opening a discussion that hopefully will lead to change. NAWF is a positive first step."
Hanan Saab, founder, owner and managing director of Pharmamed and vice president of the Lebanese League for Women in Business, agrees with Abou Zaki.
She argued that the opportunity that the forum provides for networking is the key to bringing about change in unequal policies women face, such as gender stereotypes in the workforce, the education system and on a personal level at home.
"Collaboration between women in different sectors equals action," she said. "And with action we need commitment. Then we will begin to see the change."
The first forum was held last year in Dubai. This year's version is being held under the patronage of first lady Wafaa Michel Sleiman and sponsored by Al-Iktissad Wal-Amal Group, among many others.
By Ghenwa Yehia
Special to The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The second annual New Arab Women's Forum (NAWF) began the first half of its panel discussions on Thursday at the InterContinental Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut. The purpose of NAWF is to create an open and honest environment in which to discuss the political, economical, social and cultural situations of the Arab woman in today's changing world. The forum brought together a select group of high-profile speakers and participants to share ideas and opinions on these issues, which were separated into several panel discussions. The topics for Thursday included: the Leadership Mystique; Women in Business; Women, Education and Technology; and Women in Politics.
Master of ceremonies George Kordahi, a celebrated TV presenter, was quick to start off the day on a positive note.
"It is high time that we start discussing the issues facing the Arab woman today in our changing world," he told the 200-plus members of the audience and journalists covering the event. "We can no longer ignore the situation ... so it's important that we start developing plans and strategies that enable women to improve their position in our societies in the future."
The opening ceremony included speeches by Nadine Abou Zaki, editor-in-chief of Al-Hasnaa magazine and NAWF executive officer; Hanna Sorour, director of the Department of Women's Affairs, at the Arab League; and Tammam Salam, Lebanon's Minister of Culture.
"Women are the crux of society," Salam said. "We are calling for the restoration of women's rights based on basic human's rights. We need equal rights in all areas."
An award ceremony honouring Education Minister Bahia Hariri, Princess Nouf bint Faisal bin Turki al-Saud, and Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi followed. Hariri and Ashrawi, who were in attendance, were met with thunderous applause when they accepted their awards.
"Equality and freedom are not gifts from men," Ashwari said after accepting her award. "They are a right of women to her from her society."
The spectacle of optimism and hopefulness ended with the opening ceremony.
The panel discussions began with noticeably smaller numbers of participants. And what was supposed to be an open forum often seemed more like a closed discussion between the experts in attendance. When it did come time for audience participation, participants were rushed due to a time shortage, and sometimes even cut off. Many audience questions were often answered vaguely or were left completely unanswered.
At one point, a Lebanese woman stood up and declared that the panelists were simply swapping their own personal success stories instead of "suggesting the types of requests and rights women need to make for their own improvement."
A Saudi woman followed, describing her own situation in her home country. "What is my solution?" she asked?
When solutions were offered or the discussion turned interesting, it was often hard to hear over various people talking on cell phones or to their neighbors.
At one point, an audience member turned around to confront noisemakers in the back of the room, only to find that the people in question were connected to a major sponsor.
Despite this, Abou Zaki said the fact that the forum was taking place, especially in Beirut, was a step in the right direction.
"Compared to other countries, Lebanon has achieved a lot concerning the issues of women's rights," she argued. "It is a country moving forward on the right track. But Lebanon, as well as all Arab countries, all have areas they need to improve."
The main point Abou Zaki stressed was that change and improvement would not happen overnight. "The forum acts as the beginning of a long-term plan for changing policies and providing solutions for Arab women," she said.
"The forum is an open, honest discussion," she added. "But change should be evolutionary, not revolutionary. Radical change could bring negative consequences. So here we are opening a discussion that hopefully will lead to change. NAWF is a positive first step."
Hanan Saab, founder, owner and managing director of Pharmamed and vice president of the Lebanese League for Women in Business, agrees with Abou Zaki.
She argued that the opportunity that the forum provides for networking is the key to bringing about change in unequal policies women face, such as gender stereotypes in the workforce, the education system and on a personal level at home.
"Collaboration between women in different sectors equals action," she said. "And with action we need commitment. Then we will begin to see the change."
The first forum was held last year in Dubai. This year's version is being held under the patronage of first lady Wafaa Michel Sleiman and sponsored by Al-Iktissad Wal-Amal Group, among many others.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Lebanon: Biography of Journalist Diana Mukkaled
Diana Mukkaled is a prominent and well respected TV journalist in the Arab world, thanks to her phenomenal show "Bil Ayn Al Mojarada" (By The Naked Eye), a series of documentaries around controversial areas and topics which airs on Lebanon's leading local and sattelite channel "Future Television".
Diana also is a veteran war corrependent, covering both The War in Iraq and in Afghanistan, as well as the Isreali "Grapes of Wrath" massacre in southern Lebanon. Daring to do superb investigative work in Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen and Iraq (prior to the collapse of the Saddam's regime) and dedicating entire episodes of "Bil Ayn Al Mojarada" to issues such as "Honour Crimes" in Jordan, Diana has gained world wide recognition and was named one of the most influential women in a special feature that ran in Time Magazine in 2004.
Diana writes a weekly coloumn for Asharq Al Awsat Media's Supplement, where she discusses current affairs in Arab and world media.
Diana also is a veteran war corrependent, covering both The War in Iraq and in Afghanistan, as well as the Isreali "Grapes of Wrath" massacre in southern Lebanon. Daring to do superb investigative work in Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen and Iraq (prior to the collapse of the Saddam's regime) and dedicating entire episodes of "Bil Ayn Al Mojarada" to issues such as "Honour Crimes" in Jordan, Diana has gained world wide recognition and was named one of the most influential women in a special feature that ran in Time Magazine in 2004.
Diana writes a weekly coloumn for Asharq Al Awsat Media's Supplement, where she discusses current affairs in Arab and world media.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Tunisia: Arab conference targets improving women's participation in politics
A regional seminar on "Gender and Local Governance" held March 14th in the Tunisian capital highlighted the close link between "economic and domestic development and women’s participation in local politics".
Forum attendees from Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco and Bahrain also recommended organising an awareness-raising campaign for men concerning women’s right to play a significant role in local political affairs.
"The aim of holding this round-table meeting is to create an opportunity for exchanging experiences [and] to support women’s role in local governance among countries covered by the project and other countries outside the project such as Bahrain, Morocco and Kuwait," said Dr. Sekina Borai, head of the Center of Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR), which held the seminar in collaboration with the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
Borai said, "As the Arab woman is currently incapable of participating effectively on the central level, at least, we aspire to achieve participation on the local level."
Allowing women to learn about what goes on within their region, she added, is "a straightforward route toward transparency and good governance".
Conference participants from Maghreb countries shared experiences and strategies about how the governance project is working. In Morocco, the Third Millennium Organisation is "working to open national dialog on democracy and assisting women to achieve broader participation on the national level", said Mohammad Balkoh.
Meanwhile, in Algeria, Faisal Bin Halilo of an NGO in Constantine, asserted that the country's legal and constitutional arsenal does not in any way hinder women’s participation in political life. In real life, however, women’s participation in local and central elections is slim and their voting turnout is on the decline, compared to the early years of independence.
Among the causes, he said, is an educational system that places women in an inferior position: "Our students still read in their textbooks, 'Father is in the field, and mother is in the kitchen'". Bin Halilo added that in Algerian politics, the fear of extremists has superseded women's issues.
The quota system, whereby a percentage of local council or Parliament seats is allocated to women, has been a bone of contention in countries represented at last week's conference. The majority of attendees rejected including such a provision in their countries' constitutions, arguing that it imposes a ceiling that women cannot exceed and is against Arab constitutions which emphasize equality among genders. "The quota system is part of positive discrimination," said Fawzeya Abdullah, a candidate in the 2006 Bahraini parliamentary elections.
To effectively boost Arab women's political participation, the general political environment and the status of freedoms in the Arab world must be considered, according to Tunisian economist Azzam Mahjoub. One of the first academics to compile a report on the subject, Mahjoub noted that in the Arab region, there is a high level of illiteracy among women and their presence in the workforce is minimal.
"The Arab woman," Mahjoub added, "is the victim of discrimination in male-dominated societies, and also suffers from the use of religion to justify such discrimination."
At the conclusion of the Tunis seminar, participants said they will work with decision-makers to set out strategic plans for improving women's participation in local governance.
By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis
Forum attendees from Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco and Bahrain also recommended organising an awareness-raising campaign for men concerning women’s right to play a significant role in local political affairs.
"The aim of holding this round-table meeting is to create an opportunity for exchanging experiences [and] to support women’s role in local governance among countries covered by the project and other countries outside the project such as Bahrain, Morocco and Kuwait," said Dr. Sekina Borai, head of the Center of Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR), which held the seminar in collaboration with the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
Borai said, "As the Arab woman is currently incapable of participating effectively on the central level, at least, we aspire to achieve participation on the local level."
Allowing women to learn about what goes on within their region, she added, is "a straightforward route toward transparency and good governance".
Conference participants from Maghreb countries shared experiences and strategies about how the governance project is working. In Morocco, the Third Millennium Organisation is "working to open national dialog on democracy and assisting women to achieve broader participation on the national level", said Mohammad Balkoh.
Meanwhile, in Algeria, Faisal Bin Halilo of an NGO in Constantine, asserted that the country's legal and constitutional arsenal does not in any way hinder women’s participation in political life. In real life, however, women’s participation in local and central elections is slim and their voting turnout is on the decline, compared to the early years of independence.
Among the causes, he said, is an educational system that places women in an inferior position: "Our students still read in their textbooks, 'Father is in the field, and mother is in the kitchen'". Bin Halilo added that in Algerian politics, the fear of extremists has superseded women's issues.
The quota system, whereby a percentage of local council or Parliament seats is allocated to women, has been a bone of contention in countries represented at last week's conference. The majority of attendees rejected including such a provision in their countries' constitutions, arguing that it imposes a ceiling that women cannot exceed and is against Arab constitutions which emphasize equality among genders. "The quota system is part of positive discrimination," said Fawzeya Abdullah, a candidate in the 2006 Bahraini parliamentary elections.
To effectively boost Arab women's political participation, the general political environment and the status of freedoms in the Arab world must be considered, according to Tunisian economist Azzam Mahjoub. One of the first academics to compile a report on the subject, Mahjoub noted that in the Arab region, there is a high level of illiteracy among women and their presence in the workforce is minimal.
"The Arab woman," Mahjoub added, "is the victim of discrimination in male-dominated societies, and also suffers from the use of religion to justify such discrimination."
At the conclusion of the Tunis seminar, participants said they will work with decision-makers to set out strategic plans for improving women's participation in local governance.
By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis
Friday, March 7, 2008
Lebanon: Liberal Women Suffer Under Outdated Laws
Lebanese women may be known as the Arab world's most liberal but they are by no means the region's most liberated considering antiquated laws that reduce them to second-class citizens.
"The law in this country still considers a woman as being inferior," complained sociologist Rafif Sidaoui.
From domestic violence to rape to adultery, the rights of women often fall by the wayside in this multi-confessional sectarian society, nonetheless deemed avant-garde in the mostly conservative Middle East."
One of the absurd laws on the books allows a rapist to be exempt from prison if he marries his victim," said Ezzat Mroue, vice-president of the Women's Rights Committee (WRC)."A few years ago, there was a major scandal when a young man, who was after his cousin, kidnapped her from her university," she added."
He raped her and then brought her before a sheikh who married them."The result was that he was not guilty in the eyes of the law," Mroue said.
And although so-called "honor crimes" are not widespread in Lebanon, as in some other Arab countries, every year a number of women are killed by male relatives under the pretext of defending the family honor.
Under the law, the murderer can benefit from "mitigating circumstances."But "murder is murder and you cannot apply different penalties" depending on gender, insisted Mroue.
She said when it comes to adultery, the picture is not brighter. A woman can be sentenced to two years in prison if a third party accuses her of cheating on her husband, whereas a man has to be caught red-handed before being hauled to court.
If a man admits to adultery but apologizes, he is usually pardoned. The same does not apply to a woman.
As far as domestic violence, the law offers no protection to women.
"If a woman in Lebanon is beaten or humiliated at home, there is nothing she can legally do about it," said Sidaoui. "The husband has to break her neck, arm or leg, for her to be able to claim injury or damage, as you would for any car accident," said the sociologist.
Many women who do turn to the police become the object of ridicule by officers who pat them on the cheek and suggest they deal with their problems "at home."
Sidaoui said that one of the main problems in changing the status quo is the lack of legislation to protect women's rights and the fact that religion permeates most aspects of life in Lebanon, including marriage and divorce.
For example, there is no civil marriage in Lebanon, although the government recognizes such a union as long as it is celebrated outside the country. A woman also cannot transfer citizenship to her husband if he is a foreigner or to children born of such a union. And in the event of divorce, a Lebanese man automatically gets custody of the children."
For the religious and political communities determined to hang on to their prerogatives, this issue is a red line not to be crossed," Sidaoui said.
Labor laws are another issue that rights groups have been battling to change.
A married Lebanese man who works receives tax exemptions whereas a married woman does not. A man with children is also given a family allowance by the state whereas a woman can only receive it if she is widowed or if her husband is handicapped.
"If these laws are not changed, they will perpetuate this mentality through generations and a woman will always be considered inferior to a man, whatever her social status," Sidaoui said.
(AFP)
"The law in this country still considers a woman as being inferior," complained sociologist Rafif Sidaoui.
From domestic violence to rape to adultery, the rights of women often fall by the wayside in this multi-confessional sectarian society, nonetheless deemed avant-garde in the mostly conservative Middle East."
One of the absurd laws on the books allows a rapist to be exempt from prison if he marries his victim," said Ezzat Mroue, vice-president of the Women's Rights Committee (WRC)."A few years ago, there was a major scandal when a young man, who was after his cousin, kidnapped her from her university," she added."
He raped her and then brought her before a sheikh who married them."The result was that he was not guilty in the eyes of the law," Mroue said.
And although so-called "honor crimes" are not widespread in Lebanon, as in some other Arab countries, every year a number of women are killed by male relatives under the pretext of defending the family honor.
Under the law, the murderer can benefit from "mitigating circumstances."But "murder is murder and you cannot apply different penalties" depending on gender, insisted Mroue.
She said when it comes to adultery, the picture is not brighter. A woman can be sentenced to two years in prison if a third party accuses her of cheating on her husband, whereas a man has to be caught red-handed before being hauled to court.
If a man admits to adultery but apologizes, he is usually pardoned. The same does not apply to a woman.
As far as domestic violence, the law offers no protection to women.
"If a woman in Lebanon is beaten or humiliated at home, there is nothing she can legally do about it," said Sidaoui. "The husband has to break her neck, arm or leg, for her to be able to claim injury or damage, as you would for any car accident," said the sociologist.
Many women who do turn to the police become the object of ridicule by officers who pat them on the cheek and suggest they deal with their problems "at home."
Sidaoui said that one of the main problems in changing the status quo is the lack of legislation to protect women's rights and the fact that religion permeates most aspects of life in Lebanon, including marriage and divorce.
For example, there is no civil marriage in Lebanon, although the government recognizes such a union as long as it is celebrated outside the country. A woman also cannot transfer citizenship to her husband if he is a foreigner or to children born of such a union. And in the event of divorce, a Lebanese man automatically gets custody of the children."
For the religious and political communities determined to hang on to their prerogatives, this issue is a red line not to be crossed," Sidaoui said.
Labor laws are another issue that rights groups have been battling to change.
A married Lebanese man who works receives tax exemptions whereas a married woman does not. A man with children is also given a family allowance by the state whereas a woman can only receive it if she is widowed or if her husband is handicapped.
"If these laws are not changed, they will perpetuate this mentality through generations and a woman will always be considered inferior to a man, whatever her social status," Sidaoui said.
(AFP)
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