Parliamentary Commissions in Lebanon are studying the electoral law , are they considering a women quota?

As Parliamentary Commissions in Lebanon are studying the electoral law , we have been invited as Women active groups to give our opinion related to the “temporary, measure” the women  quota.

The first question that comes to mind:  are they considering a women quota?

yes they do, but Under which electoral system, no body know 😦 how Lebanon will be divided in régions, the annexe was not distributed for us to review it.

what is a quota for women, here is an extract from Atlas of Electoral Gender Quotas © International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance 2014.

Direct Link to Full 16-Page Text: http://www.idea.int/publications/atlas-of-electoral-gender-quotas/upload/Atlas-on-Electoral-Gender-Quotas_3.pdf

“Electoral Gender Quotas – A Major Electoral Reform

Gender quotas are numerical targets that stipulate the number or percentage of women that must be included in a candidate list or the number of seats to be allocated to women in a legislature. They aim to reverse discrimination in law and practice and to level the playing field for women and men in politics. Gender quotas, as they mostly regulate political parties’ actions, underscore the notion of political parties as the ‘gatekeepers’ through which citizens pursue opportunities for political leadership (Dahlerup 2006). Therefore quotas play a critical role in providing meaningful and effective opportunities for female party members to access elected public offices. To date, gender quotas have proved to be the single most effective tool for ‘fast-tracking’ women’s representation in elected bodies of government. It is, however, important to note that as an extensive body of research in this field suggests, quotas may have a differential impact in different contexts and in different electoral systems and may take longer than a single electoral cycle to produce the desired impact. Furthermore, electoral gender quotas do not remove all structural, institutional and societal barriers for women in politics, and need to be complemented by other measures designed to level the playing field for women.

There are three key types of gender quotas in politics:

1. Legislated candidate quotas – These quotas regulate the gender composition of the candidate lists and are binding by law for all political parties in the election; they are mandated either through national constitutions or by electoral legislation.

2. Legislated ‘reserved seats’ – These measures regulate by law the gender composition of elected bodies, by reserving a certain number or percentage of seats for women members, implemented through special electoral procedures; they are mandated either through national constitutions or by electoral legislation.

3. Party quotas (also called voluntary party quotas) – These quotas are adopted by individual parties for their own candidate lists, and are usually enshrined in party statutes and rules.

All key types of gender quotas are increasingly used around the world to promote women’s political participation and representation. To date, some 1185 countries and territories— more than half of all—use some type of gender quota for an elected office. Based on the information presented in this Atlas, 60 countries and territories/special areas around the world use legislated candidate quotas (which may be used in conjunction with reserved seats or voluntary party quotas), 36 countries and territories/special areas use the system of reserved seats (few of which also use legislated candidate quotas as well) and in 37 countries and territories at least one political party represented in parliament uses a voluntary party quota (countries with both, legislated candidate quotas for national legislatures and voluntary party quotas are excluded from this number). Please see Annex A for a full list of countries in these three categories. The lists presented there include countries with legislated candidate quotas, reserved seats and voluntary party quotas for the composition of lower or upper houses or both, and/or sub-national elected bodies.”

Rita Chemaly

For a list of all related articles in different languages:

• Femmes en Politique au Liban une honte en 2014  https://ritachemaly.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/femmes-en-politique-au-liban-une-honte-en-2014/
• Cartogtraphie des discriminations qui atteignent les femmes au Liban: https://ritachemaly.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/droits-des-femmes-au-liban-2012-rita-chemaly-auteur-et-chercheure1.jpg
• 8 mars #womensday … et au #Liban les discriminations qui atteignent les femmes sont encore nombreuses! https://ritachemaly.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/8-mars-womensday-et-au-liban-les-discriminations-qui-atteignent-les-femmes-sont-encore-nombreuses/
• Breakthrough for women political participation in Saudi Arabia versus Lebanese women struggling for their basics rights https://ritachemaly.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/breakthrough-for-women-political-participation-in-saudi-arabia-versus-lebanese-women-struggling-for-their-basics-rights/ 
• Les femmes au parlement…. Au Liban 4 femmes sont des representantes du peuple depuis 2009 https://ritachemaly.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/les-femmes-au-parlement-au-liban-4-femmes-sont-des-representantes-du-peuple-depuis-2009/
• Les Libanaises au Pouvoir et leur participation effective aux processus de prises de décisions…les Droits civils et politiques dans l’attente d’un quota ? https://ritachemaly.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/droit-des-femmes-libanaises-rita-chemaly-participation-politique-quota-et-decision.pdf
• The list with the names of the Women Candidates for the 2013 Lebanese parliamentarian  elections 43 … https://ritachemaly.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/women-candidates-for-the-2013-lebanese-elections-43/

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Announcement : get to know the German Parliament …

IPS programme for the Arab countries

Would you like to get to know the German Parliament?

The German Bundestag invites highly motivated Arab graduates to take part in a scholarship programme in Berlin in autumn 2015.

The concept

In 2015, the German Bundestag is once again offering a scholarship programme for politically interested young Arab graduates who are keen to learn more about the German parliamentary system and want to play an active role in promoting core democratic values in their home countries. The German Bundestag is offering the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the German parliamentary system and political decision-making processes during an intensive four-week programme at the German Bundestag.

The programme

This four-week programme will take place in September 2015 in Berlin and other selected locations in Germany. The programme’s core element is a week-long work placement in the office of a Member of the German Bundestag. It also focuses on information regarding the German parliamentary system, along with lectures, workshops and seminars on German history and culture, religious freedom, minority issues and dealing with experiences of dictatorships (the Nazi dictatorship and SED dictatorship). A project management workshop aims to help participants develop their own project ideas promoting democracy and civil society in their own countries.

The scholarship

Participants will receive a scholarship of 450 euros. The Bundestag will also cover the costs of health, accident and personal liability insurance. In addition, accommodation in an apartment complex will be provided free of charge, and the costs of travel to and from Berlin covered.

The selection process

The scholarship programme is aimed at highly motivated, talented young people from the Arab region who are open to new ideas, interested in politics and wish to play an active and responsible role in shaping the democratic future of their country. Applicants will be invited to attend an interview at a German Embassy in the region, where an independent selection panel set up by the German Bundestag will choose the successful candidates based on their professional, social, language and intercultural skills. A proportion of the costs of travel to the interview will be reimbursed.

Eligibility criteria

• Citizenship of an Arab country
• Under the age of 35 at the start of the scholarship
• University degree
• Very good knowledge of German
• An interest in politics, and social/political commitment

Please send your completed application documents by email as a PDF-file to the German mission in your home country; the PDF-file name should consist of your surname, followed by your given name (i.e. “Surname-First name”).

Your application should be submitted in German and include the following scanned documents:

• Passport photo (please attach to first page of the application form);
• Application form (available on the Internet, at: www.bundestag.de/ips_arabisch);
• Evidence of very good knowledge of German;
• Personal statement of reasons for applying (maximum of two pages);
• Copy of passport or ID card;
• Certified copy of university degree certificate¹;
• Letter of recommendation, in German or English (from a university professor or employer, assessing the applicant’s suitability for the programme).

¹   This means that the copy is officially certified as a true copy of the original by a recognised authority (a German or foreign public authority, an embassy or consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany, a university, notary, or translator/interpreter registered with the public authorities). The copy must be certified as a true copy, signed and stamped by the relevant person/institution. If several photocopies are stapled together, each individual copy must be certified in this way. Unless documents are properly certified, the application cannot be processed.

Deadline for applications: 15 February 2015

extended to 6 March 2015

Please apply ONLINE to the German mission in your country!

Parliamentary coordination

The programme is coordinated at parliamentary level by the Rapporteur Group on International Exchange Programmes.

To obtain further information, please send a mail to: ips@bundestag.de

http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/bundestag/international/exchange/ips/arabian/250618

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Fifty Shades of Rape Culture

Greatly written blog post :  i truly advise you to read !!! Fifty Shades of Rape Culture.

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Sure, She Can: Apply for MARCH’s Women Empowerment Project!

Interested ? check the announcement below and fill and send the application attached form before 16 of february 2015!!!

good luck

Rita Chemaly!

Sure, She Can: Apply for MARCH’s Women Empowerment Project!

FEBRUARY 09, 2015

SURE, SHE CAN

The National Democratic Institute, in partnership with Arab Center of Development, MARCH and Women in Front are pleased to announce the launch of a new women’s empowerment initiative: Sure, She Can.

Women from across Lebanon will take part in a year-long program designed to enhance their skills in policy advocacy and strategic thinking. The three topics this program will focus on are: Industrial zones, Public transportation and Water and sewerage. Women from the private, non-profit, political and public sectors are welcome to apply. The deadline to apply is February 16 at 5:00 pm. The selection process is competitive and individuals selected to participate will be notified by February 20.

As per the Program schedule, below are the estimated dates of the activities :

From April-November 2015, this program requires participation by the applicant in the following activities:

●One, Five-day political skills training (TBD April-May 2015)
●One, three day- strategic planning training (TBD October 2015)
●Two, one-day sessions with international women conflict experts (TBD September, November 2015)

Total of 10 days.

Download the application by visiting our page on Daleel Madani, and submit it by FEBRUARY 16, 2015 @ 5:00 PM to z.arteil@marchlebanon.org. 

If you have any questions related to the program, please contact:

Zeinab ARTEIL
Project Coordinator
MARCH Lebanon

Tel: +961 1 208101
Email: z.arteil@marchlebanon.org

Participant_Application_-_EN women empowerment

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Vacancy with Human Rights Watch “assistant”

Below interested candidates might see that HRW is searching for a multi-task assistant ! from communication to administrative issues, to translation, below is what might interest multi-skilled and multi-tasked candidates!

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking an Associate to provide administrative assistance to the Development and Outreach Department in the Beirut Office. This position reports to the Associate Director of Development in Beirut.

Responsibilities:

1. Assist with the organization and coordination of logistics for special events in Lebanon and the region, such as Committee meetings, outreach events and annual dinners;

2. Assist with the administration of major gifts prospects and conduct prospect research;

3. Respond to requests for information and correspond with Beirut Committee members and constituents, including the creation of mailings;

4. Provide support including scheduling internal and external meetings, creating agendas, preparing background materials, drafting minutes and conducting follow-up to meetings;

5. Oversee preparations of event-related materials and event-related mailings;

6. Process, track and acknowledge gifts using HRW’s Raiser’s Edge database;

7. Ensure accurate and timely recording of all campaigns, appeals, gifts and contact information on Raiser’s Edge and provide reports when necessary;

8. Coordinate and manage development web content, newsletters, and e-mailings;

9. Process expenses, answer phones and e-mails, and process incoming development mail;

10. Assist with English to Arabic translations and proofreading;

11. Assist with travel arrangements and follow-up;

12. Maintain extensive files, contact lists, and databases;

13. Perform tasks including, filing, photocopying, scanning, faxing, word processing, maintaining databases, maintaining contact lists and subscriptions, bulk mailings, report filing and tracking;

14. Assist with departmental hiring and training, and oversee departmental interns; and

15. Carry out other duties as required.

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills are required.

2. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic are required.

3. Strong interest in international human rights is required.

4. Experience with Raiser’s Edge and donor databases as well as knowledge of web management and html are strongly desired.

5. Strong interpersonal skills are required.

6. Ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks simultaneously is required.

7. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

8. Ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently as well as function as a member of a team is required.

9. Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office applications is required.

Other: HRW will not obtain a work permit for this position. Candidates must have the ability to legally work in Lebanon.

Experience required:

• 1 to 2 years

Education degree: Bachelor Degree Field of education: A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required

Salary: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers compensation and benefits consistent with local NGO salaries

Submission guidelines: Please submit a cover letter, resume, a brief writing sample (unedited by others) and contact information for three references. Please submit the entire application in ONE attached document to devjobs@hrw.org. Please use “Development Associate Beirut Ref DEV-15-1009” as the subject of your email.

March 1 2015 appears to be the deadline!

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Experienced senior progrom advisor : vacancy with RELIEF International

Experienced senior progrom advisor for RELIEF International is needed: the tasks below seem exciting!!!

Provide technical guidance and oversight to the education component, including direct supervision of the Education Program Manager, development of training and capacity building for team members, curricula development, and other technical capacities.

1. Be responsible for ensuring program reports are submitted to UNICEF.
2. Oversee the Hygiene Education team, ensuring that HP activities are integrated through the three components and coordinated effectively.
3. In coordination with the CD and DCD, review overall project workplans and budgeting for field activities associated donor requirements and provide guidance to the Education, Health/Nutrition, and SGBV Program Managers in their delivery of those requirements.
4. Review project reporting schedules, templates, and requirements, and guide the Program Managers in their fulfillment of these requirements to RI and donor standards in reporting.
5. Lead the development of short and long range plans for delivery of project services, and provide guidance to the Program Managers in management of immediate and future strategies for effective project impact.
6. Review program monitoring and evaluation systems and record keeping methods that support internal, interagency, and donor reporting. Provide a summary of recommended areas of improvement, and lead an action plan with the DCD, PMs and M&E Department to evolve and make positive systems improvements.
7. Provide feedback and mentoring to Program Managers to help them to develop their project management, team leadership, logistics planning, reporting, and systems capacity.
8. In coordination with the DCD and CD, Represent RI’s Multisectoral program with donors, partners, and other stakeholders.
9. In cooperation with the DCD and CD, lead and coordinate program and proposal development and strategy development efforts.
10. Experience required: 5 to 10 years

Education degree: Bachelor Degree Field of education: Graduate degree in relevant field or Bachelor’s degree with commensurate work experience

Application Submission Guidelines: To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a cover letter, resume, salary history, 3 professional supervisory references (whom we may contact after interview) with the date of availability to lebanonrihr@ri.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The email subject line MUST include the following to be considered: “Senior Program Advisor  More information can be found on the Website: http://ri.org/

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Job Vacancy : Program Assistant with Relief International in Lebanon

interested in working with Relief International?

here is the job Description for the full time position of Program Assistant with Relief International

• Using participatory methods, engage in active participation with all phases of program planning, development, and implementation as appropriate and necessary.
• Working with other relevant RI staff on research related tasks.

• Establish working relationships with NGOs, INGOs, local community based organizations, and U.N. agencies; meet regularly with individuals and groups from these organizations for follow-up.

• Organize and facilitate regular (monthly/weekly) coordination meetings with these organizations for follow-up.
• Ensure adherence to and coordination with focal points of agencies and referrals in Protection, Cash, Health, and Nutrition for data collectiong and follow up on developments in relation to the program.
• Gather data from all organizations creating a baseline for RI staff to monitor progress from.
• Provide reliable statistical data on Syrian refugee situation and its development.
• Map out active implementing partners related to the sectors of the program and follow up on new comers.
• Map out potential geographical impacting program implementation.

• In coordination with RI’s Program Manager and M&E Team, compile program activity information, evaluating progress toward achievement of program outcomes.
• In coordination with RI’s Program Manager compile necessary information impacting M&E plan and program outcomes.
• In coordination with RI’s Program Manager and Cash Coordinator compile cash related information impacting cash assistance and program outcomes.
• In coordination with RI’s Program Manager and Communications Coordinator compile cash related information impacting communication component and program outcomes.
• Develop a centralized database for Cash for Protection with regular updates.
• Formulate a reliable information flow mechanism for RI staff through outsourcing.
• Develop relationships with referrals with respect to SGBV component within the program.
• Update RI team on a regular basis on new information related to program outcome.
• Develop weekly reports on general situation in area in relation to Syrian refugees.
• Develop monthly report formats that capture relevant information and that support the implementation, monitoring analysis, and outcome of program progress.

• Other duties as required.

Experience required:

• 2 to 3 years

Education degree: Bachelor Degree with commensurate work experience in related field

To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a cover letter, resume, salary history, 3 professional supervisory references (whom we may contact after a second interview) with the date of availability. Deadline for applications: Saturday, February 28, 2015 . Contact information: Randa Al Ahmad, HR Officer Email: lebanonrihr@ri.org

More information available on the website of http://www.ri.org/

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Job Vacancy at Friedrich-­‐Ebert-­‐Stiftung Project Manager free lancer

The Friedrich-­‐Ebert-­‐Stiftung, a German political foundation, committed to the values of social democracy (www.fes.de) is looking for a young professional to assist in implementing a Project on “Shared Prosperity in the MENA Region”. 

The objective of the project is to Provide socially–‐just economic and ecological policy alternatives that lead to shared Prosperity in the respective societies in the region. In order to push for this transformational change, a regional alliance will be formed.

The three–‐year project consists of a series of seminars and conferences on economic and social policy issues to be convened in different countries in the MENA region.

The project manager will work as a free lancer approximately 20 hours per week for a duration of 22 months (March 2015 – Dec 2016). Honorarium to be negotiated.

Applicants  should submit a  resume and compelling cover letter  to (Sharedprosperity@fes.org.ma). The

cover letter should list previous study and/or work experience in Middle Eastern and/or North African countries as

well as  your personal motivation.
  deadline to submit application is Feb 17 2015.

to know more about the requirements and the tasks :

Call_for_Applications_shared_prosperity Friedrich ebert stiftung

 Good Luck for interested candidates!!

Rita

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