Halte a la violence et au harcelement au travail, Ratifions la #C190

Hat off #Nigeria for ratifying the Convention 190 of the ILO on #violence and #harassment at work .

#RatifyC190 was the campaign we led this summer with various African representatives from diverse countries. Various representatives from African countries participated to the symposium, on violence and harassment at work.

The symposium about the Convention Nbr 190 and recommendation Nbr 206 of ILO, that I was glad to facilitate and participate in while giving multiple sessions.

The Nigerian colleagues did great while advocating for the ratification and being able to do so in November 2022, increasing the numbers of states that joined the convention to 22!

Let’s cross fingers for Lebanon to join the fight! #C190, as well as other countries.

Hat off #Nigeria for ratifying the @ilo convention 190 on #violence and #harassment . #RatifyC190 was the campaign we led this summer with various african countries. Let s cross fingers for our country to join the fight! #C190 https://t.co/lXpBQTGRu3

— Rita Chemaly (@Ritachemaly) November 8, 2022

Tres contente, enfin le #Nigeria a ratifie la convention190 de l’OIT sur la violence et le harcelement au travail.

En ete nous avons mene avec des representants.es. de plusieurs organisations gouvernmentales, syndicales, non gouvernementales une action de plaidoyer pour faire connaitre la convention et la recommandation numero 206 de l’OIT. Avec les participants.es une campagne en ligne a ete menee aussi pour faire connaitre la Convention et demander sa ratification par les pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Fiere d’avoir participer au symposium, un grand merci aux responsables de l’OIT pour leur confiance.

Maintenant que le Nigeria a ratifie la Convention C190, c’est autour d’autres Etats de le faire. La campagne et les efforts de plaidoyer doivent continuer. Les magnifiques et dynamiques participants.es au symposium, je suis sure, vont continuer leurs efforts, prete pour toute aide pour mener les campagnes de plaidoyer et de lobbying direct a bien!

Rita Chemaly

#C190 #16DAYS #RATIFYC190 #ILO #EndGBV #GBV #VAW

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“The document attached  on “Rural Women’s Right to Food & Nutrition” was drafted as a Submission for CSW 62. BUT, it is a powerful sustainable statement on the realities of women and food issues, and indeed, applies to all women, well beyond rural. It is intersectional with multiple rights of women and girls. It links to the economic, social, and cultural rights, civil and political rights, that are inclusive in gender equality and social justice.

the document has different parts:

I. The global food economy has been both gender-blind and male-biased.

II. The livelihoods of rural women producers are particularly under threat.

III. Rural women workers are employed in all sector of the rural economy, yet lack access to decent work.

IV. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are central in women’s RTFN

V. Indigenous women and girls are most vulnerable and marginalized in many countries of the world, where they make up an important part of the rural population.

VI. Women’s rights have been historically isolated from the human RTFN within legally-binding language of key international human rights treaties.

below are the main demands for achieving women’s right to food and nutrition:

VII. Demands for achieving rural women’s RTFN.
1. Guarantee rural women producers’ access, control, management and ownership of all natural and productive resources on which they depend.
2. Recognize and support rural women’s knowledge, culture, traditions and practices (in relation to agriculture, fisheries, forestry, livestock rearing and other food producing sectors) and their ecological understanding and sustainable practices should inform the management and conservation of resources.
3. Guarantee and implement decent work for rural women workers based on existing international instruments in a non-discriminatory manner.
4. Guarantee that systems are put in place to ensure that rural women who engage in domestic work are seen as significantly contributing to the economy and receive social security benefits.
5. Recognize the “intertwined subjectivities” of woman and child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding framed through the lens of women’s rights throughout their lifespan – especially women’s and girls’ rights to SRHR.
6. Introduce policies and laws that enable States to regulate and avoid any undue interference of for-profit or commercially-motivated non-state actors in rural women’s RTFN.
7. Guarantee the full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
8. Guarantee an adequate legal framework for the realization of rural women’s fundamental rights and freedoms based on the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
9. Ensure the independence and transparency of monitoring mechanisms in the context of the 2030 Agenda: these must be based on human rights, be free of any commercial or corporate undue influence and conflicts of interest, and ensure the full participation of the most affected by hunger and malnutrition, especially rural women.
10. Ensure the full realization of the RTFN of rural women within the framework of food sovereignty. ”

 

to read the full document, press the link below

CSW Written Submission _20171020

 

 

Rita Chemaly

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GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF MIGRATION

Eager to tell you about the MOOC  on Gender Based violence in the context of migration!

The course will begin on May 15!

what is a MOOC? a MOOC is Massive Online Open Course , that is offered for free by the Global Campus of Human Rights coordinated by the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC).

The Mooc addresses gender, migration, and Human rights studies. The Lecture I participate in, is related to gender based violence faced by migrants and asylum seeking girls in the MENA region. The Political Sciences Institute (ISP) of Saint Joseph University part of the Arab Master in Democracy and Human Rights,  has worked hard while dedicating a team to gather data, prepare, review, shoot, edit and produce the MOOC on GBV addressed by migrants girls and women in the region.  Examples for this specific lecture are taken from the newest published reports in the region related to GBV and SGBV.  Sexual Exploitation, trafficking  Statelessness, Child Marriage, Schooling and access to education are presented. Also main International Instruments addressing GBV are presented.

The MOOC is a free course of 5 hours per week, for 6 weeks, that is open to “upper year undergraduates; postgraduates; NGO activists and practitioners interested in interdisciplinary human rights, gender equality, women’s empowerment, migration; young lawyers and social scientists; active and motivated citizens from around the world.”

I am very excited to be part of this Global Campus MOOC, and to have prepared the first MOOC addressing GBV and women’s rights in the region. Can’t thank enough the team who helped put all the lecture together (ISP team you rock! )  as well as the friends who helped gather the latest information in a very short deadline. (Special thanks to Ghida, Hayat, Raghda, Zeina, Myriam, and special thanks to Jihad who filmed and edited the lecture ).

Stay tuned  and follow the link to participate and enroll  in the MOOC! https://www.eiuc.org/education/global-campus-mooc-gbv-migration.html 

In solidarity from Lebanon

Let us address GBV in our region and internationally with sustainable solutions!

Rita Chemaly

Screen Shot taken from the Global Campus page https://www.eiuc.org/education/global-campus-mooc-gbv-migration/the-mooc.html  

 

 

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Migrants day in Lebanon

For those who are interested, join us on Sunday at noon at Sodeco , for Migrant workers day In Lebanon.

Details below are taken from the facebook page, #WeWillNotBeSilencedAnyMore  #workersday2017, be many 

Rita Chemaly

Workers’ Day 2017
Abolish Sponsorship – Ratify C189 – Stop State Violence

For the eighth year in a row, we -migrant domestic workers and supporters- come together to claim labor rights, march, and celebrate workers’ day.
This past year did not witness any improvement of protection of migrant domestic workers (MDWs). On the contrary, we have seen the abuses continue against the lives, rights and freedoms of MDWs, while the abusers still enjoyed impunity.
Tragedies and deaths still happen on daily and weekly basis without proper investigations, domestic workers and their families are still being unjustly deported and subjected to political detention, especially the public human rights defenders among them.
The struggle continues, and we unite again to make our voices heard and to claim our rights. We hereby demand the Lebanese state to:
1. Abolish the sponsorship system and replace it with a just immigration and residency system that guarantees human rights, fair and ethical recruitment, labor mobility, and the possibility of MDWs to live outside the employer’s house and change employers.
2. Ratify and implement the ILO Domestic Workers Convention of 2011 (C189).
3. Expand the Lebanese labor law to cover all categories of laborers including domestic workers.
4. Reform the standard unified contract to guarantee basic rights including the rights to get the Lebanese minimum wage, terminate the employment contract, have a maximum hours of work and be paid for overtime, the rights to privacy and decent working and living conditions, the right to have a weekly day off outside the house and unaccompanied by employers, and the right to have proper health insurance.
5. Hold abusive employers accountable and establish an inspection mechanism coupled with accessible and affordable complaint mechanisms, fair and speedy trials and legal redress.
6. Hold to account and close down all abusive and unethical recruitment agencies and establish a black-list system for these.
7. Guarantee the right of domestic workers to organize and unionize.
8. Investigate properly the deaths of MDWs, and in case of unnatural deaths, bring to justice those who caused these deaths.
9. Stop state violence against MDWs including detaining MDWs who leave their employers’ houses, exercising violence in detention centers and police stations, and depriving MDWs’ children of legal residency. Authorities must stop detaining and deporting MDWs for administrative or trivial reasons such as expired residency permits or having children in Lebanon who should all be entitled to residency and education rights in Lebanon. Authorities must also ensure speedy return procedures to home countries for workers who need it, especially for parents with children in Lebanon and workers who are sick.
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عيد العمّال 2017
لإلغاء نظام الكفالة
للتصديق على الاتفاقية رقم 189
لإيقاف عنف الدولة على عاملات المنازل

للسنة الثامنة على التوالي، نجتمع معًا، عاملات منازل مهاجرات ومؤيّدين/ات لهنّ، للسير جنبًا إلى جنب في مسيرة مطلبية والاحتفال معًا بعيد العمّال.
لم يشهد العام الماضي أي تحسّن في أوضاع عاملات المنازل المهاجرات أو تقدّم في تعزيز حقوقهنّ، بل تزايد العنف والاعتداءات عليهنّ واستمرّت الانتهاكات لحريّاتهنّ وحقوقهنّ وأرواحهنّ، فيما بقي مرتكبو هذه الانتهاكات مُفلتين من أي شكل من أشكال المحاسبة والعقاب.
لا تزال المآسي وحالات الوفاة غير الطبيعيّة تحدث بوتيرة يوميّة أو أسبوعيّة من دون أي تحقيقات جديّة بشأنها، ولا تزال العاملات، وعائلاتهن،ّ معرّضات للاحتجاز والترحيل من دون وجه حق، وخاصّة الناشطات الحقوقيّات العلنيّات من بينهنّ المعرّضات بشكل خاص للاعتقال السياسي.

إنّ كفاح العاملات مستمرّ، وها نحن نتّحد مرّة أخرى لنُسمع أصواتنا ونطالب الدولة بحقوقنا. وبشكل خاصّ نطالبها بـ:
1• إلغاء نظام الكفالة واستبداله بنظام هجرة وإقامة عادل للعاملات يحترم حقوقهنّ الإنسانية ويؤمّن سبل استقدام سليمة، وتحرّكيّة العاملات وحقهنّ في التنقّل والانتقال، وإمكانيّة العيش خارج منزل صاحب/ة العمل، وحقهنّ في تغيير صاحب/ة العمل.
2• التصديق على اتفاقية منظّمة العمل الدولية رقم 189 المتعلّقة بالعمل اللائق لعاملات المنازل، وتطبيقها.
3• توسيع نطاق قانون العمل ليشمل العمّال والعاملات كافّة، وتحديدًا عاملات المنازل.
4• إصلاح عقد العمل الموحّد المُطبّق على عاملات المنازل بشكل يضمن لهنّ حقوقهنّ العمّالية البديهيّة، مثل الحقّ في الحصول على الحد الأدنى للأجور، والعدد الأقصى لساعات العمل وإعطاء أجر إضافي مقابل ساعات العمل الزائدة، والحقّ في يوم عطلة خارج المنزل من دون اشتراط مرافقة أصحاب العمل لهنّ، والحقّ في تأمين صحّي مناسب، والحقّ في الخصوصية وفي ظروف العمل والعيش اللائقة، والحقّ في إنهاء عقد العمل.
5• محاسبة أصحاب العمل الذين ينتهكون الحقوق ويسيئون إلى العاملات، ووضع آلية فعّالة للمراقبة والتفتيش، مقترنة بآليّات سهلة للتبليغ عن الشكاوى، وضمان المحاكمات والإجراءات القانونية السريعة والعادلة.
6• محاسبة مكاتب الاستقدام المسيئة والتي تتّبع سبل استقدام غير سليمة وإغلاقها، والعمل على تفعيل نظام القائمة السوداء لمنع تلك المكاتب من العمل مجدّدًا وأصحابها من فتح وكالات جديدة.
7• ضمان حقّ العاملات في التنظيم والعمل النقابي.
8 • التحقيق الجدّي في حالات الوفيّات غير الطبيعيّة لعاملات المنازل وسَوق مسبّبي الوفاة إلى العدالة.
9• وقف عنف الدولة ضدّ عاملات المنازل، بما في ذلك من تجريم ‘هروب’ العاملات المنزليات من بيوت أصحاب العمل، وممارسة العنف عليهنّ في مراكز الشرطة ومراكز الاحتجاز، وحرمان أطفالهنّ من الإقامة القانونيّة في البلاد. على السلطات التوقّف عن احتجاز عاملات المنازل وترحيلهنّ لأسباب إداريّة شتّى مثل انتهاء صلاحيّة الإقامة أو لسبب إنجابهنّ الأطفال، الذين يحقّ لهم أصلاً بالإقامة القانونية والتعلّم في لبنان. وعلى السلطات أيضًا ضمان إجراءات ترحيل سريعة للعاملات اللواتي يحتجن إلى المغادرة، وخاصّة الأهل وأطفالهم أو المرضى.
————————

Journées des Travailleurs 2017
Abolir le système du Kafala – Ratifier la Convention 189 – Arrêter la violence d’Etat

Pour la 8ème année consécutive, nous -les travailleuses domestiques migrantes et les supporteurs- s’assemblons pour revendiquer des droits du travail, marcher et célébrer la Fête du travail.
L’année qui vient de s’écouler n’a pas apporté d’amélioration dans la protection des travailleuses domestiques migrantes. Au contraire, nous avons vu les abus contre leurs vies, droits et libertés continuer pendant que les abuseurs profitent toujours de la même impunité.
Morts et tragédies continuent d’arriver tous les jours et toutes les semaines sans aucunes véritables enquêtes et les travailleuses domestiques migrantes et leurs famille sont toujours injustement déportées et sujettes aux détentions politiques, spécialement les défenseures publiques des droits humains parmi elles.
La lutte continue et nous nous unissons une fois encore pour faire entendre nos voix et réclamer nos droits. Nous demandons donc à l’Etat libanais de :
1- Abolir le système du Kafala et de le remplacer par un système d’immigration et de résidence juste qui garantit les droits humains, un recrutement juste et éthique, ainsi que la possibilité pour les travailleuses domestiques migrantes de vivre hors du lieu de résidence de leur employeur et de changer d’employeurs.
2- Ratifier et mettre en œuvre la Convention sur les travailleuses domestiques de l’OIT (C189)
3- Etendre le Code du Travail libanais pour inclure toutes les catégories de travailleurs, dont les travailleuses domestiques.
4- Réformer le contrat standard unifié pour garantir les droits fondamentaux des travailleuses domestiques dont les droits d’obtenir le salaire minimum libanais, de terminer leur contrat de travail, d’avoir un nombre d’heures de travail maximum et d’être payées pour les heures supplémentaires, le droit à l’intimité et à des conditions de travail et de vie décentes, le droit d’avoir un jour de congé hebdomadaire en dehors du lieu de vie et non-accompagnées par les employeurs, et le droit d’avoir une vraie assurance de santé.
5- Tenir pour responsables les employeurs abusifs et établir un mécanisme d’inspection accompagné de mécanismes de plainte accessibles et abordables, des procès équitables et rapides ainsi que des recours juridiques.
6- Tenir pour responsables et fermer toutes les agences de recrutement abusives et non-éthiques ainsi que d’établir un système de « black list » pour celles-ci.
7- Garantir le droit des travailleuses domestiques de s’organiser et de se syndiquer.
8- Enquêter convenablement sur les morts des travailleuses domestiques et dans les cas de morts non naturelles, traduire en justice les responsables.
9- Arrêter la violence d’Etat contre les travailleuses domestiques migrantes dont la détention de celles qui quittent le lieu de résidence de leurs employeurs, l’utilisation de la violence dans les centres de détention et les postes de police, et la privation de résidence légale aux enfants de travailleuses domestiques migrantes. Les autorités doivent arrêter de détenir et de déporter les travailleuses domestiques migrantes pour des raisons administratives ou triviales telles que l’expiration des permis de résidence ou avoir des enfants au Liban alors qu’ils devraient bénéficier du droit de résidence et à l’éducation. Les autorités doivent aussi s’assurer de mettre en place des procédures de retour rapides vers les pays d’origine pour les travailleuses qui en ont besoin, spécifiquement pour celles avec des enfants au Liban et celles qui sont malades

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Blaming the Victim because she “asked” for rape Lebanon policy maker fail

A new episode in Gender based violence, was highlighted during a discussion on Women rights!

The Discussion was organised by proeminent NGO , RDFL.

A Lebanese member of Parliament (re-conducted illegally) went out of the paper prepared by him or “for him??” and said that a women has a role in pushing men to rape her!

I am still shocked by the insanity of such an MP. He don’t understand the Harm such words do for all women. Such Words make sexual harassment at work , in public spaces, as well as in a Home Legal!!!

I do understand now why Most of our rotten laws such as the Penal Code, have such inanities! (reference to article  522)

What I loved is that bloggers, media, women activists, women right defenders spoke out about this insanity, and a petition asking MP to resign is being circulated!

Here is what is being circulated on the web, through different platforms:

النائب ايلي ماروني هان المرأة اللبنانية عندما صرّح: “في بعض الاماكن وبعض المطارح بدنا نسأل شو دور المرأة في قيادة الرجل إلى اغتصابها” وكان النائب يحمل المرأة مسؤولية الاغتصاب هيدا التصرف مرفوض من قبل أي رجل (او امرأة)، وخاصة نواب الامّة. مطلوب من الجميع التضامن لنطلب منه الاعتذار أو الاستقالة. الرجاء نشر البوست المرفق ابتداء من الان على كل صفحاتكم وحساباتكم على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي. وشكرا

 

 

Below is the link to the Video in which Lebanese member of Parliament states his inanities:

اليكم/ن الفيديو الذي يظهر المواقف الذكورية التي أطلقها النائب إيلي ماروني حول حقوق النساء وبشكل خاص الجنسية، المادة ٥٢٢ والإغتصاب الذي اعتبر أن للمرأة دور في حدوثه. كذلك، يظهر في الفيديو الرد الكامل للنائب ماروني على اعتراض الناشطة حياة مرشاد على كلامه حيث لوح بإلباسها البرقع كي لا تخجل من تمثيله لها في البرلمانhttps://www.facebook.com/sharikawalaken/videos/1207350935984570/

 

Below is the statement Written by women activists, and that is open to be signed by all:

بيان للتوقيع والنشر صاغته ناشطات نسويات رداً على تصريحات النائب #ايلي_ماروني المهينة للمرأة في لبنان

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zqefNeT7ngDPVkiFXdq6xXlJbg1SGQrH120vp2YMHDw/edit

 

Below are the articles in the newspapers and media outlet that cover what happened:

Annahar

LBC News

The Daily Star

 

Action is Needed by the Political Party Kataeb of that Mp.

There is a need to amend and Delete article 522 which Blames Women being raped for their own rape, and which give them as a victory to the one who rape them!!

I call all Political parties to take action in Written against article 522 and against discriminatory articles of Penal code in Lebanon

Rita Chemaly

 

 

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Raise your voice and use your rights for gender equality!

Wonderful and amazing Video on gender equality by IWSAW-LAU, about the inequality facing women in Lebanon, and how decision makers are not considering the women voices!

The video, and the Lyrics are just great! by a simple cartoon they tackle GBV,  it tackles women stereotyping and the fact that law makers are not discussing women issues and rights with Women!!

I loved also  how they say that law makers prepare laws and forget them and Loose them in the drawers!!!

I remember that since 2011 many law amendments were presented to the Parliament in Lebanon regarding equality, and till now, LAWS were not Discussed !!! or Voted for….

MPs, did where , in which drawer did you hide those laws amendments?!!

Hat off IWSAW team!!!

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CSW 60th session march 2016 draft conclusions

Here is the direct Link to Full 18-Page CSW 60 Draft Agreed Conclusions Revision 2:

http://www.ngocsw.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Draft_agreed_conclusions_march_15.pdf?utm_source=website&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=draft_agreed_conclusion_march_14

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#Lebanon and #Women #Rights a Long Road Ahead

Today the National Commission for Lebanese women and UNFPA, worked hard on disseminating the Concluding observations published by the United Nations Committee on Lebanon. The concluding observations are a kind of ” findings”  that cover how each country is implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination, #CEDAW, this year these findings ” highlight positive developments ”  and most importantly highlight ”  main matters of concern and recommendations”.

UN committee give those observations after holding discussions with the government delegation and the NGOs of the country.

The Last recommendation of this batch was already implemented by NCLW and UNFPA: Disseminating the observations widely! Picture taken by Rita Azzi 

 

This year the main area of concern were numerous:

I am listing their titles below:

• Refugee, asylum-seeking and stateless women\
• Parliament
• Withdrawal of reservations
• Constitutional framework
• Legislative framework
• Access to Justice
• National machinery for the advancement of women
• Stereotypes
• Violence against women
• Trafficking and exploitation of prostitution
• Participation in political and public life
• Education
• Employment
• Women migrant workers in domestic service\
• Women Palestine refugees
• Health
• Rural women
• Marriage and family relations

as for the main areas of concerns: here is their translation to arabic for those who wish to get a quick look! (Lebanon cedaw Areas of concerns in arabic Rita Chemaly)

I am copy pasting for those who are interested in the Principal areas of concern and recommendations as they were published in the document of the UN #cedaw committee. 

Refugee, asylum-seeking and stateless women

11. The Committee commends the State party for the open border and reception policy that it has had for years regarding refugees from Palestine, Iraq and Syria, for hosting over 2 million refugees and its remarkable and sustained efforts to ensure the protection of refugees and asylum seekers. However, it takes note of the policy paper on Syrian displacement in Lebanon approved by the Council of Ministers on 23 October 2014 and the three main priorities for managing the displacement crisis. The Committee is concerned that the 1962 Law regulating the Entry, Stay and Exit to/in/from Lebanon does not distinguish between asylum seekers/refugees and migrants. The Committee is further concerned about the high number of reported cases of child, early and forced marriage among Syrian refugee women and girls and the lack of official data on this phenomenon, as well as on the number of stateless persons in Lebanon.
12. The Committee recommends, in line with its general recommendation No. 32 (2014) on the gender-related dimensions of refugee status, asylum, nationality and statelessness of women, that the State party:

(a)     In the implementation of its policy paper on Syrian displacement in Lebanon approved by the Council of Ministers on 23 October 2014, ensure that the principle of non-refoulement is upheld, including for women and girls in need of international protection, by ensuring access to its territory, establishing gender-sensitive asylum procedures, and including gender-based violence as a ground for asylum, in line with Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention;

(b)     Review the 1962 Law regulating the Entry, Stay and Exit to/in/from Lebanon, to distinguish between the protection needs of asylum seeking and refugee women on one hand and migrant women on the other hand;

(c)      Seek technical support for the establishment of a data collection system on incidents of gender-based violence against women, in particular sexual violence, and incidents of child, early and forced marriages of refugee women and girls, and provide victims with medical and psychosocial assistance and access to justice, in line with Article 2 of the Convention, and the Committee’s General Recommendation No. 33 (2015) on women’s access to justice;

(d)     Conduct a census to ascertain the number of stateless persons in its territory and take the necessary measures, provide them with civil registration documents and consider ratifying the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Additional Protocol, the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness;

(e)      Enlist and mobilize the support of the international community to share the economic burden and to provide for the needs of the refugee population, including resettlement and humanitarian admission opportunities and continue cooperating with UNHCR;

(f)      Adopt a national action plan to implement United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, and ensure women’s participation at all stages of peace processes, in line with the Committee’s General Recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations, and seek the support of the international community for the implementation of its obligations.

Implementation

13. The Committee is fully aware of the efforts undertaken by the State party to adopt a legal and institutional framework protecting and promoting women’s rights. The Committee urges the State party to consider the recommendations contained in the present concluding observations as requiring a high priority for national mobilization and international support. The Committee urges the State party to promptly implement the present concluding observations by setting up a coordination mechanism with all relevant State institutions at all levels, the parliament and the judiciary, and the civil society, as well as with its international partners.

Parliament

14. The Committee stresses the crucial role of the legislative power in ensuring the full implementation of the Convention (see the statement by the Committee on its relationship with parliamentarians, adopted at the forty-fifth session, in 2010). It invites the Parliament, to take all measures necessary to unblock the current institutional crisis and, in line with its mandate, to take the steps necessary for the implementation of the present concluding observations.

Withdrawal of reservations

15. Notwithstanding the detailed explanations given by the delegation, the Committee remains concerned about the State party’s reluctance to withdraw its reservation to:

(a)     Article 9 (2), with a view to granting women equal rights with men with respect to the nationality of their children.. The Committee also notes with concern that the Council of Ministers repeatedly endorsed the discriminatory provision in Decree No. 15 of 1925 on Lebanese Nationality establishing that nationality is exclusively based on patrilineal descent;

(b)     Article 16 (1) (c), (d), (f) and (g) regarding equality in marriage and family relations.

16. The Committee calls upon the State party to:

(a)     Withdraw its reservation made upon accession to the Convention regarding article 9 (2) and repeal Decree No. 15 of 1925 on Lebanese Nationality and adopt legislation ensuring women equal rights with men to confer their nationality to their foreign spouse and children;

(b)     Withdraw its reservation made upon accession to the Convention regarding article article 16 (1) (c), (d), (f) and (g).

       (c)           Initiate a dialogue with the leaders of religious sects communities and religious scholars, taking in consideration best practices in the region, with a view to overcome the resistance to the withdrawal of its reservations to the Convention.

Constitutional framework

17. The Committee remains concerned that the Lebanese Constitution is still not in full conformity with the Convention and does not explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. It is also concerned about the limited scope and applicability of the procedure for challenging laws on the basis that they are incompatible with the State party’s Constitution and its international legal obligations.
18. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendations to include in the Constitution a provision defining and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, in line with article 2 (a) of the Convention (CEDAW/C/LBN/CO/3, paras. 10 and 11 and A/60/38, para. 95 adopted in 2005) and to amend articles 9 and 10 of the Constitution to ensure gender equality in the context of religious freedom and sectarian diversity.

Legislative framework

19. The Committee welcomes the initial review legislation containing discriminatory provisions against women by the State party but is concerned about the delays in adopting the required amendments. The Committee welcomes the amendment of the Criminal Code and the repeal of its Article 562. However, it is concerned about the remaining discriminatory criminal law provisions as well as personal status laws that discriminate against women within sects and between women across different sects. The Committee is also concerned about discriminatory provisions in labour, social security and municipal elections laws.
20. The Committee recommends that the State party expedite a comprehensive legislative review to ensure compatibility with the provisions of the Convention, and, upon resolution of the institutional crisis and the re-functioning of the government, urges it to amend or repeal all articles of the Criminal Code, personal status laws as well as labour, social security and municipal election laws that discriminate against women.

Access to Justice

21. The Committee is concerned about the obstacles women face when accessing the justice system, in particular the lack of adequate legal aid services and the lack of knowledge and sensitivity of justice officials regarding women’s rights.
22. The Committee in line with its general recommendation No. 33, on women’s access to justice, recommends that the State party:

(a)     Institutionalize systems of legal aid and public defence that are accessible, sustainable and responsive to the needs of women and ensure that such services are provided in a timely, continuous and effective manner at all stages of judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings, including alternative dispute resolution mechanisms;.

(b)     Take immediate steps, including capacity-building and training programmes for justice system personnel on the Convention and women’s rights , to ensure that religious courts harmonize their norms, procedures and practices with the human rights standards enshrined in the Convention and other international human rights instruments.

National machinery for the advancement of women

23. The Committee regrets the institutional weakness, the limited status, the insufficient decision-making authority, human, technical and financial resources of the national machinery for the advancement of women and the obstacles faced concerning coordination and gender mainstreaming throughout all government bodies. The Committee is concerned about the low level of coordination between the gender focal points within the line Ministries with the Department of Women’s Affairs of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The Committee is also concerned about the limited and inadequate information provided on the implementation of the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon.
24. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation (CEDAW/C/LBN/CO/3, para. 21) that the State party:

(a)     Give urgent priority to strengthen the institutional capacity of the national machinery for the advancement of women, and provide it with the mandate, decision-making power and human, technical and financial resources that are necessary to work effectively for the promotion of equality of women and men and the enjoyment of their human rights;

(b)     Institutionalize and strengthen the system of gender focal points in line Ministries and other public institutions in order to achieve an effective gender mainstreaming strategy throughout its policies and programmes;

(c)      Ensure coordination between the national machinery and its cooperation with civil society and women’s non-governmental organizations with a view to promote a participatory planning for the advancement of women.

(d)     Accelerate the implementation of the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon by adopting a plan of action that clearly defines the competencies of national and local authorities regarding the National Strategy, and supported by a comprehensive data collection system to monitor its implementation.

Stereotypes

25. The Committee is concerned about the discriminatory patriarchal stereotypes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men in society and in the family and the role of the media in overemphasizing the traditional role of women as mothers and wives or commodities thus undermining women’s social status and their educational and professional careers. The Committee notes with concern that the advertising sector persistently convey stereotyped and sometimes degrading images of women.
26. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to raise awareness of the media and the advertising sector to eliminate discriminatory gender stereotypes, to ensure that women are not portrayed only as wives and mothers or commodities and to promote positive images of women as active participants in political, economic and social life.

Violence against women

27. The Committee welcomes the adoption of Law No. 293 of 7 May 2014 on the protection of women and other family members from domestic violence. However, the Committee notes with concern the absence in the law of an explicit reference to gender-based violence against women and of provisions specifically criminalizing marital rape, crimes committed in the name of so-called honour, and other harmful practices. It is also concerned that the law continues to maintain discriminatory provisions with regard to the criminalization of adultery and that it takes no precedence over customary and personal status laws. The Committee further regrets the lack of disaggregated data on the number of reports, investigations, prosecutions and convictions in cases of violence against women, including sexual harassment, domestic violence, assault and rape, including by security forces.
28. The Committee urges the State party to:

(a)     Amend Law No. 293 on domestic violence, in line with the Committee’s general recommendation No. 19 (1992) on violence against women, to specifically criminalize gender-based violence against women, marital rape, crimes committed in the name of so-called honour, and other harmful practices;

(b)     Remove discriminatory provisions between women and men regarding adultery and ensure that Law No. 293 on the protection of women and other family members from domestic violence takes precedence over customary and personal status laws;

(c)      Collect data, disaggregated by sex, age, nationality and relationship between the victim and the perpetrator, on the number of reported cases of violence against women, of prosecutions, convictions and sentences imposed on perpetrators

(d)     Strengthen the legal, medical and psychological support to victims of violence against women;

(e)      Ensure that all allegations of sexual harassment are recorded and that all allegations of assault and rape, are duly investigated, prosecuted and sanctioned and that victims have access to appropriate redress, including compensation. Ensure that all allegations of assault and rape by members of the security forces are investigated by an independent judicial authority.

Trafficking and exploitation of prostitution

29. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the Anti-trafficking Law No. 164 of 2011 but notes with concern that the artist visa scheme of 1962 facilitates sexual exploitation of women migrant workers in the entertainment sector, and that the law no. 164 is not effectively being enforced, that it criminalizes victims and is without prejudice to the artist visa scheme. It is also concerned about the absence of an early identification and referral system for victims of trafficking who are frequently arrested, detained and deported without adequate protection and assistance for victims and weak coordination between government security, justice and social services as well as lack of cooperation with civil society.
30. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a)     Review and revise the artist visa scheme to ensure it is not misused for the sexual exploitation of women and take appropriate steps to decrease the demand side of prostitution;

(b)     Amend article 523 of the Criminal Code as necessary to ensure that victims of trafficking are not subjected to prosecution;

(c)      Provide mandatory gender-sensitive capacity-building for judges, prosecutors, border police, immigration authorities and other law enforcement officials to ensure the strict enforcement of the Anti-Trafficking Law by promptly prosecuting all cases of trafficking in women and girls and adequately punishing traffickers;

(d)     Ensure early identification and referral to protection of trafficking victims; and strengthen assistance to victims of trafficking, including by granting temporary residence permits to victims of trafficking irrespective of their ability or willingness to cooperate with the prosecution authorities and by providing them access to alternative income opportunities, respectively;

(e)      Provide victims of trafficking with adequate access to health care and counselling and strengthen those services by providing targeted training to social workers;

(f)      Ensure inter-agency coordination between government security, justice and social services to combat trafficking and strengthen cooperation with civil society.

 

Participation in political and public life

The Committee is concerned about the gross underrepresentation of women in public and political life; the lack of capacity-building for political parties and labour unions representatives on women’s rights and regrets that the draft law providing for a 30 per cent minimum quota for women’s representation on candidates lists of political parties for parliamentary elections was not adopted. It is concerned about the strong political resistance to the adoption of temporary special measures to effectively promote women’s equal participation in public and political life.

31. The Committee recommends that the State party:

       (a)           Take all appropriate measures to increase the number of women in elected and appointed office at all levels, so as to comply with article 7 of the Convention;

(b)     Take concrete measures, including temporary special measures in accordance with article 4 (1) of the Convention, the Committee’s general recommendation no. 23 on women in political and public life and general recommendation no. 25 on temporary special measures, and to establish concrete goals and timetables in order to accelerate the increase in the representation of women in all spheres of public and political life;

(c)      Implement awareness-raising campaigns to highlight the importance to society as a whole of women’s full and equal participation in leadership positions in all sectors and at all levels and explain the purpose of introducing temporary special measures such as quotas as a necessary strategy for accelerating realization of women’s de facto equality..

Education

33. The Committee notes the recommendation in the study by the National Committee for the Follow-up of Women’s Issues and the Centre for Educational Research and Development to eliminate discriminatory gender stereotypes in school books. However, the Committee is concerned that the State party’s has not taken effective steps to remove such stereotypes from school curricula and textbooks. It is also concerned about the lack of training for teachers on women’s rights and gender equality and limited career guidance encouraging women and girls to choose non-traditional career paths, in particular in the fields of science and technology.
34. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts in reviewing school curricula and textbooks to eliminate any stereotyped and patriarchal roles of women. It reiterates its previous recommendation (CEDAW/C/LBN/CO/3, para. 25) that the State party enhance training for teachers on gender, women’s rights and equality. The Committee further recommends that the State party give priority to eliminating traditional stereotypes and structural barriers that may deter girls from enrolling in traditionally male-dominated fields of study, such as science and technology, and step up efforts to provide girls with career counselling on non-traditional career paths including non-stereotypical vocational training.

Employment

35. The Committee welcomes the adoption of Laws No. 266 and No. 267 of 15 April 2014 extending maternity leave in the public and private sectors to 10 weeks with full pay. However, the Committee is concerned about the lack of measures to promote the concept of shared family responsibilities and to combat the difficulties women face in combining work and family responsibilities. The Committee is also concerned about women’s limited access to the formal labour market and about the absence of legislation criminalizing sexual harassment in the work place. The Committee is further concerned about the occupational segregation and the high percentage of women in low paid jobs as service sector workers and salespersons, administrative staff and mid-level professions as well as gender pay gaps.
36. The Committee calls on the State party to:

(a)     Promote equal sharing of family and domestic responsibilities between women and men, including by introducing compulsory paternity or shared parental leave following childbirth;

(b)     Take measures, including temporary special measures in line with article 4 (1) of the Convention and General Recommendation No. 5 (1988) on temporary special measures, such as incentives for employers to recruit women, introduce flexible working arrangements and strengthen professional training for women, with a view to enhancing women’s access to the formal labour market;

(c)      Adopt legislation criminalizing sexual harassment in the work place;

(d)     Take concrete measures to address horizontal and vertical segregation including by promoting the equal participation of women in highly skilled jobs and senior management positions; providing counselling and placement, that stimulate their on-the-job career development and upward mobility in the labour market; stimulating the diversification of occupational choices by both women and men; encouraging women to take up non-traditional jobs, especially in science and technology, and men to seek employment in the social sector and providing women with access to effective job training, retraining, counselling and placement services that are not limited to traditional employment areas;

(e)      Take concrete measures to close the gap between women’s and men’s pay and to implement the principle of equal pay for work of equal value including by establishing a body responsible for conducting job evaluation schemes with gender-neutral criteria.

Women migrant workers in domestic service

37. The Committee welcomes the various measures adopted by the State party to protect the rights of women migrant domestic workers, including by issuing unified contracts, requiring employers to sign up to an insurance policy, regulating employment agencies, adopting a law criminalizing human trafficking, and integrating women migrant domestic workers in the Social Pact and the National Strategy for Social Development. However, the Committee notes with concern that these measures have proved insufficient to ensure respect for the human rights of women migrant domestic workers. The Committee is equally concerned about the rejection by the Ministry of Labour of the application of the National Federation of Labour Union to establish a Domestic Workers’ Union and the .absence of an enforcement mechanism for work contracts of women migrant domestic workers; limited access by women migrant domestic workers to health care and social protection; and the non-ratification of ILO convention No. 189. The Committee is concerned about the high incidence of abuse against women migrant workers in domestic service and the persistence of practices such as the confiscation of passports by employers, the maintenance of the “Kafala system” which puts workers at risk of exploitation and make it difficult for them to leave abusive employers; obstacles affecting domestic workers’ access to justice, including fear of expulsion, insecurity of residence during procedures. The Committee is deeply concerned about the disturbing reports of documented deaths of migrant domestic workers from unnatural causes, including suicide and falls from tall buildings and the failure of the State party to investigate into those deaths.
38. The Committee, in line with its General Recommendation No. 26 (2008), on Women Migrant Workers, recommends that the State party:

(a)     Raise awareness among women migrant domestic workers of their human rights under the Convention, and monitor the work of employment agencies, including by establishing an enforcement mechanism to ensure that the same contracts are used in the State party and in countries of origin;

(b)     Expedite the adoption of the draft law regulating domestic employment with adequate sanctions for employers engaging in abusive practices and ratify ILO Convention No. 189 (2011) on decent work for domestic workers;

(c)      Abolish the “Kafala system” and ensure the effective access to justice, of women migrant domestic workers including by guaranteeing their safety and residence during procedures;

(d)     Promptly investigate, prosecute and sanction all reports of deaths of women migrant domestic workers from unnatural causes;

(e)      Take the measures necessary to protect the rights of women migrant domestic workers including by approving the establishment of a Domestic Workers’ Union.

Women Palestine refugees

39. The Committee is concerned about restrictions on the right to work of Palestine refugee women.
40. The Committee recommends that the State party review and amend its labour laws to ensure Palestine refugee women’s right to work, namely by providing them with access to the labour market in the State party.

Health

41. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the “Comprehensive Primary Health Care Package and Services” by the Ministry of Public Health in 2013, the establishment of primary health care centres throughout the State party and the progress achieved in reducing maternal mortality. The Committee is, however, concerned about the limited access of women and adolescent girls to sexual and reproductive health services in rural and remote areas in the State party. It is also concerned about insufficient monitoring of private health care providers, which offer most of the specialized health services for women. The Committee further notes with concern the high number of unsafe abortions due to the strict criminalization of abortion and the delay in introducing age-appropriate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights at the primary, intermediate and secondary levels of education.
42. The Committee recommends that the State party provide comprehensive health services, in particular sexual and reproductive health services, in each region in relation to area and population size; take measures to adequately monitor the performance of private health care providers, and introduce age-appropriate education on sexual and reproductive health in the curricula at the primary, intermediate and secondary levels of education. The Committee also recommends that the State party legalize abortion at least in cases of threats to the life or health of the mother, rape, incest, and severe fetal impairment and that it increase women’s access to safe abortion and post-abortion care services.

Rural women

43. The Committee welcomes the creation in 2008 of the National Observatory for Women in Agriculture and Rural Areas by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Committee notes with concern the lack of updated disaggregated data on women’s participation in the agricultural sector. It remains concerned about the exclusion of women agricultural seasonal workers from the protection of the Labour Code and the limited initiatives for women’s access to rural entrepreneurship through technical assistance, micro credit facilities and bank accounts.
44. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation that the State party collect updated disaggregated data on women working in the agricultural sector, adopt legislation for the protection of women agricultural seasonal workers and strengthen the support for the entrepreneurial initiatives of women in the rural areas.

Marriage and family relations

46. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a)     Adopt an optional civil personal status law based on the principles of equality and non-discrimination and the right to choose one’s religious affiliation in order to protect women and alleviate their legal, economic and social marginalization;

(b)     Require religious sects to codify their laws and submit them to Parliament for review of their conformity with the Constitution and the provisions of the Convention; that it establish an appeals mechanism to oversee religious court proceedings and ensure that judgements of religious courts do not discriminate against women;

(c)      Set the legal minimum age for marriage at 18 years for girls and boys, in line with international standards, and takes the measures necessary to effectively prevent child marriage among rural girls.

 

 

in brief, in Lebanon, the long road ahead for equality is a process that needs many institutions to work hard , public administrations to make efforts, political will, working on behaviors, customs, and so much more!

the task is enormous? yes! but sooo many magnificient activists worked restlessly to have some positiveness in all this. We need to continue the struggle, and fight for #equal rights!!

Rita Chemaly

if you wish to download the full text of the concluding observations here is the word text:

CEDAW_Concluding observations on Lebanon 2015 Rita Chemaly

The source for the document is : http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=970&Lang=en

‪#‎16DaysofActivism‬ ‪#‎GBVTeachin‬ ‪#‎womenlead‬ ‪#‎orangetheworld‬  ‪#‎EndGBV‬ ‪#‎16days‬ #16dayscampaign

 

 

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Mariage a 12 ans possible au #Liban!

Les differentes lois du status personnel libanais permettent des mariages de mineures.

Une fillette a 9 ans peut se marier au Liban! (loi catholique) , les jeunes fillettes de 14 ans chez les evangelistes peut aussi se marier. Chez les chiites, aussi une fillette de 9 ans peut se marier (Voila le lien vers mon billet precedent a ce sujet avec l’age des filles et garcons selon la secte ou confession religieuse ) .

l’ONG Kafa avec Leo Burnett et l’UNFPA, ont decide de montrer l’horreur de ce mariage via un film montrant sur la Corniche un homme de 60 ans et une fillette de 12 ans prenant des photos le jour de leur mariage presume!.

Dans le film, il est clairement dit que la Loi au Liban PERMET ce genre de mariages, ce sont des mariages Legaux! Meme si les passants sur la Corniche etaient outres!

pour vous voila le short movie:

Rita Chemaly

Quelques articles ecrits sur le sujet:

1- https://ritachemaly.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/le-liban-prepare-une-loi-inedite-au-moyen-orient-contre-les-mariages-precoces/

 

2- https://ritachemaly.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/early-marriages-in-lebanon-who-helps-the-bride-child/

 

3- The article of Layal Timani in the Legal Agenda of 1 February 2014 (Arabic)

زواج القاصرات بين الفتاوى الشرعية والقانون!  “سندريلا” تقع فريسة احلامها

4- The article of Nermine Sibai in the Legal Agenda (Arabic)

قضاة الأحداث في لبنان يرسمون حدود الحماية: صلاحيات المحاكم الشرعية والرواسب الاجتماعية الرجعية

5- The article of Ana Maria Luca in NOW Lebanon of 30102013 : Lebanon’s child brides  (English)

6- The short video created by NCLW, IWSAW and LAU to shed lights on the terrific consequences of child Marriage in Lebanon: Campaign against child bride : Early marriages In Lebanon    (Arabic with english subtitles)

7- Draft Law aiming at protecting Children from early marriages presented to the Parliament in Lebanon , September 30 2014, Chemaly Rita

8- Penal Code in Lebanon too lose in protecting minors from Marriage and Exploitation , June 18 2014 , Chemaly Rita

9- Join the Movement to end Child Marriage in Lebanon, February 1 2014, Chemaly Rita

10-My previous post of February 1 2014 related to Child Marriage: Join the Movement to end Child Marriage in Lebanon (French)

11-My previous post of January 25 2014 related to child bride : Early marriages in Lebanon who helps the bride child ? (English)

12-article of Jay Martin in Annahar , October 2014 http://en.annahar.com/article/181289-minors-marriage-draft-law-is-a-big-step-p-forward–but-is-it-enough-for-lebanons 

13- Article of Laura Hamade in I lOUBAN, http://www.iloubnan.info/social/79663/An-attempt-to-eliminate-marriages-among-minors-in-Lebanon 

 

 

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Terms of Reference (TOR) Development of Facilitator’s Modules for Two Thematic Areas : stigma and discrimination against PLHIV and preventing/responding to GBV – UNFPA Lebanon

For those interested here is the TOR posted by UNFPA for the development of facilitator’s modules  on stigma and discrimination against PLHIV and preventing/responding to GBV.

Rita.

———————————–

TOR  – Development of Facilitator’s Modules for Two Thematic Areas

 Terms of Reference (TOR)

 

Development of Facilitator’s Modules for Two Thematic Areas

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

   Lebanon 

BACKGROUND

In line with its strategic plan to increase young people’s access to comprehensive, gender sensitive, quality, sexual and reproductive health services and information, and specifically within the framework of the “Let’s Talk Campaign” , UNFPA partnered with the NGO VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts Association) for carrying out the “72 Hours Movie Challenge” contest in 2013 and 2014. The themes of the contest were on “Stigma and Discrimination against people living with HIV” (PLHIV) and “Preventing/Responding to Gender Based Violence” (GBV) in 2013 and 2014 respectively.  Young people competed for the production of the movies within 72 hours (or 3 days). Three winning movies were selected under each theme by a renowned panel of Lebanese producers, directors and actors.

Based on the above, there exist therefore 6 winning short movies that depict realities, reflections and messages on the 2 thematic areas. The diversity and richness of information within the 6 movies should certainly be utilized as a complementary tool and/or multiplier effect to reach a wide range of young people and through different approaches.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the consultancy is to develop two facilitator’s modules for each of the 2 thematic areas i.e. stigma and discrimination against PLHIV and preventing/responding to GBV.

These 2 modules will be used by facilitators (who could consist of young leaders, trainers, teachers, peer educators, etc.) during awareness raising sessions within various youth settings. The outcome is expected to contribute to preparing the grounds for engaging in appropriate discussions and interactions among the participants on various HIV/AIDS and GBV related issues. It is anticipated that increased knowledge and discussion among young people on these issues would contribute to more positive attitudes as well as engaging in safe, responsible and harmless practices.

The rationale for the production of two facilitator’s modules is to make efficient and optimal use of the winning movies by a trained and capable person facilitating awareness-raising sessions with young people, in different settings (i.e. schools, clubs, camps, etc.). The consultancy will be undertaken in close collaboration with UNFPA and consultation with VAPA.

PROCESS

The UNFPA office will initiate the undertaking of the assignment by engaging a national consultant and in accordance with the agreed upon terms of reference.  The identification of the consultant will be made by UNFPA on basis of agreed upon criteria and requirements as per required qualifications (see Qualification section below).

TASKS

The consultant’s main tasks will consist of (a) undertaking desk review and literature search of pertinent resources as well as similar material, (b) reviewing the six movies (3 for each topic) and related scenarios, (c) carrying out consultation and meetings with the production team/actors, UNFPA and VAPA, (d) developing a structured framework for the modules, and (e) finalizing the modules based on testing and feedback by UNFPA.

Specifically, the consultant will undertake the following key tasks for achieving the objective of this consultancy:

• Draw up a plan of action and timetable for accomplishing the tasks of the consultancy;
• Undertake desk review – including internet search –  and investigate/review similar resources developed/used in the country and/or the region;
• Prepare a period of consultation/interview with the various partners/stakeholders;
• Consult with UNFPA, VAPA, the script writers and production teams;
• Develop a framework and structure for each of the two modules (i.e. PLHIV and GBV) on basis of literature review and consultation;
• Elaborate content of each module;
• Prepare and ensure timely delivery of the first draft of the 2 modules for review by UNFPA;
• Pre-test the modules through the undertaking of focus group discussions with young people from different regions as deemed necessary for obtaining feedback including views and opinions of potential user (to be organized and supported by UNFPA);
• Finalize the two modules on basis of comments received from the field and from UNFPA; and
• Provide UNFPA office with an electronic and hard copy of the final modules (Arabic);
• Proof read the final text once the graphic designer has worked on the layout.

DELIVRABLES

The consultant shall provide the following deliverables which will consist of the final outcomes for this consultancy:

• The final version of the facilitator’s modules in Arabic in both soft and hard copies for each of the 2 thematic areas (i.e. HIV and GBV).

It is suggested that each of the 2 modules includes the following sections (around 15-20 pages); a two pages background; a one page lesson plan for each activity, and two-three pages note for the facilitator:

1. Background

• This section is suggested to include a definition on the topic, a brief situation analysis about the magnitude of the topic, statistics about the subject matter, some information about national efforts and systems, main players in the country, etc.

2. One activity for screening the movie

• This activity aims at introducing the topic and engaging participants in a discussion covering the topic dealt with. It could be about expressing opinions, feelings and thoughts. It could also be about characters from the movies, the way they behaved, acted, etc.

3. Two activities to address general information on the related topic

• Two activities on attitudes and perceptions about the related topic
• Two activities on the political environment (legislative, political, etc.)
• A facilitator’s note for each section

It should be noted that the content of each module can serve one or all three movies under each thematic area (i.e. HIV and GBV).

TIMEFRAME

The duration of the entire consultancy is for 8 weeks starting from the date of the signature of the contract.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced University degree in social/development sciences or other related areas with previous work experience and considerable skills in training material development
• Significant  knowledge and expertise in HIV/AIDS and Gender/GBV;
• Extensive experience in training material development, field work and focus groups;
• knowledge with UNFPA’s work is an asset
• Good communication skills
• Strong analytical writing skills
• Computer literate
• Strong Arabic writing skills.

Interested candidates may apply online by providing:

• A letter of intend
• A most updated CV

The documents must be sent to the following email address: 

UNFPA: info-lebanon@unfpa.org 

by no later than June 22, 2015

Source: http://www.unfpa.org.lb/UNFPA-LEBANON/Vacancies-and-Notices.aspx

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Outrageous behavior by a woman in Lebanon that is also a Judge

I am chocked, I just watch the episode of 7ki Jelis on You tube again, and I’m still chocked.

a woman that is a Judge has beaten and acted violently on 2 other people : one man and another woman.

more chocking that this Judge in Lebanon has terrorised other neighbors and didn’t let them approach to help the woman she has beaten so violently!

in my opinion this Judge must be Judged for exercing extra powers, as well as exercing Violence against other people whether they are women, men, elderly, foreign refugees!!

She needs to Be CRIMINALISED by her own institution: The Judiciary system in Lebanon, as she is Very Badly Representing it!! she needs to be also “kicked off” by other orders or networks she is member off.

voila!!!

OMG!!! we are working on empowering women, and combating Gender Based Violence, but with such a behavior that is inexplicable such a person is showing us how much work we still need to do!!!

Rita Chemaly

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Recent legal achievements about women in Lebanon… latest researches 2014

I am lost with some “studies” using 2005 as a baseline. I can’t stand duplications in the work of International Organisations. They are ready to pay amounts for  compilations that exists already, and for action plans that already have been developped in a participatory manner by numerous NGOs and  Govermental organisations.

In Lebanon, numerous authors, researchers and Organisations have worked on studies and documents that go beyond that date (2005) or 2006.

For all those who want to do a research about women rights in Lebanon, please do go back to the core CEDAW reports,

please do call NGOs working on legal issues (they are not numerous and phone calls wont take a whole day). (The goodones I advise you to call are : Abaad, Crtda, LFPA, LADE, CFUWI, KAFA, and of course the National Institution that that holds a coordinative and consultative mission that is NCLW:

Moreover you can check some Websites: all Information is available online, this is normal access to information right:

CEDAW report published in 2014 is available online!

Additionly to follow on legal issues, do not hesitate to check the easy and friendly tables published in NCLW reports:
Annual report 2013 (available in English and Arabic) is comprehensive related to the National Campaigns organised by numerous NGOs.

Annual report 2012 covers what happened till the end of 2012. (available in english and arabic)

and Annual Report 2011, shows the great work and details all laws related to women and the efforts done to implement them .

Moreover a full compilation of all the laws that exist in the Lebanese parliament drawers and the decrees presented to/or studied by the council of ministers have been compiled thematically in this big study funded by UNFPA lebanon. (Arabic version)

There is the  raodmap worked on with the Lebanese Parliament funded by UNDP and compiling  all laws related to women and that has been published in August 2013. AVAILABLE IN arabic .

For those who want to go back to the core texts developped and updated in a participatory manner here is the link for the Women National Strategy 2011-2021 (available in French, english and Arabic). Here is the Link to the National Action Plan 2013-2016 (available in arabic) and that aims to follow up on the implementation of the national strategy goals by various stakeholders.

More than that, all texts quoted previously give credit to all NGOs that have worked on a certain issue, so hearing again the “assumption” that NGOs in Lebanon do not work together or collaborate is in my opinion misleading! and using numbers from 2005 2006 reports a baselines for “legal and contextual researches” is in my opinion outdated.

Rita Chemaly.

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Job Vacancy: Lebanon. GBV IMS National Coordinator

dears, for those interested, a National coordinator post is available. attention for the deadline and requirements.

Good luck!

GBV IMS National Coordinator

GBV IMS National Coordinator

Duty Station: Beirut, Lebanon

Contract Type & Level: FTA – NO-B (ONLY for Lebanese Candidates)

Duration: One year (with possibility for extension

Vacancy Announcement Nb.: VA-FPA-LBN-2014-07

Vacancy Date: October 20, 2014

Closing Date: November 2, 2014

1. Organizational Location

The incumbent (i.e. GBV IMS National Coordinator) will be based partly at UNHCR Beirut Office, partly at UNFPA Country Office, according to a time division agreement between the two Agencies. He/she will undertake regular in-country travels to the five regions where the project is implemented: Akkar, Tripoli, Bekaa, South Lebanon and Mount Lebanon.

The incumbent will work under the umbrella of the national SGBV Task Force chaired by UNHCR and co-chaired by UNFPA and UNICEF. She/he will report to the SGBV Task Force Coordinator.

The incumbent will plan deliverables and priorities in collaboration with the chair and the two co-chairs of the SGBV Task Force and will keep them regularly informed of all programmatic and technical aspects of the Job Description. All administrative related matters will be reported to UNFPA, as the recruiting Agency.

The incumbent will work in close cooperation and coordination with the inter-agency GBV IMS Coordinator at the national level, as well as with the Field SGBV Coordinators in the five regions.

2. Job Purpose

The Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) was created to harmonize data collection on GBV in humanitarian settings, to provide a simple system for actors providing services to GBV survivors to collect, store and analyze their data and to enable the safe and ethical sharing of reported GBV incident data within and between relevant entities. The intention of the GBVIMS is both to assist service providers to better understand the GBV cases being reported as well as to enable actors to share data internally across project sites and externally with agencies for broader trends analysis and improved GBV coordination and response.

In Lebanon, increasing concerns regarding the ongoing conflict in Syria and spill-over of persons of concern into the country prompted the SGBV Task Force to consider means and modalities to improve data collection and analysis. In January 2013, a pilot GBV IMS roll-out was launched in Akkar (North Lebanon). In July 2013, the GBV IMS Global Team supported the progressive extension of the phased roll-out to the other regions in Lebanon. As of today, the 6 GBV specialized service providers (IRC, DRC, INTERSOS, IMC, Caritas, Makhzoumi) are using the system in the 5 above mentioned regions. An Information-Sharing Protocol endorsed by the Task Force in October 2013 allows the national compilation of a limited set of data.

In order to reinforce the dissemination of good practices and increase the quality and the quantity of GBV data available, the Government of Canada is funding a two-year project “Developing Field Level GBV Capacity for Improved Service Delivery, Information Management and Inter-Agency Coordination” in 6 countries, including Lebanon. As part of this project, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the roll-out and driving the successful implementation of the GBV IMS in Lebanon, under the supervision of the SGBV Task Force Coordinator and the guidance of UNHCR, UNFPA and UNICEF.

3. Major Activities/Expected Results

With the support of the inter-agency GBV IMS Coordinator, the incumbent will facilitate the implementation of the GBVIMS in Lebanon, providing technical support to the organizations and agencies using the GBVIMS for data collection through their service provision to GBV survivors in order to improve and expand the use of the GBVIMS. In addition, the incumbent will support national efforts to roll-out the GBVIMS among potential additional GBVIMS users in coordination with the GBVIMS Steering Committee.

The incumbent should work closely and in collaboration with GBVIMS organizations, the National GBV IMS Steering Committee, the SGBV Task Force, the Global Team and all relevant stakeholders and/or coordination bodies.

1. Coordination:

• Participate in GBVIMS coordination meetings at the field and national levels. Provide all support needed to the field GBV IMS coordinators, including in the identification of new GBV IMS users;
• Maintain and update the work plan/strategy for the GBVIMS rollout ensuring a clear implementation process per region;
• Ensure ongoing communication between the field GBVIMS Steering Committees and the national GBV IMS Steering Committees, and between the National GBV IMS Steering Committee and the SGBV Task Force;
• Assist with any other issues related to the coordination of the GBVIMS.

2. Capacity Building/Coaching: 

• In coordination with the SGBV Task Force Coordinator, the inter-agency GBV IMS Coordinator, the National Steering Committee and the Global Team, encourage organizations and agencies to use the GBVIMS through technical support, trouble shooting, training, and quality assurance;
• Identify capacity building needs and liaise with the inter-agency GBV IMS Coordinator for follow up;
• Document concerns, good practices and lessons learned from the rollout process.

3. Information & Analysis: 

• Participate in and facilitate the process of revising the Information Sharing Protocol (ISP);
• Support the consolidation of monthly reports from GBVIMS users;
• Utilize GBVIMS data to support reporting, produce information bulletins for programming and advocacy purposes and every other relevant use.

4. Facilitation and Representation:

• Help organize support missions to Lebanon and facilitate the delivery of technical outputs;
• Represent the GBV IMS Steering Committee as requested;
• All other tasks required from the supervisor.

4. Job Requirements

Core Competencies

• Integrity/Commitment to mandate: Acts in accordance with UN values and holds himself/herself accountable for actions taken.
• Knowledge sharing/continuous learning: Takes responsibility for personal learning and career development and actively seeks opportunities to learn through formal and informal means.  Learns from others inside and outside the organization adopting best practices created by others.  Actively produces and disseminates new knowledge.
• Valuing diversity: Demonstrates an international outlook, appreciates differences in values and learns from cultural diversity. Takes actions appropriate to the religious and cultural context and shows respect, tact and consideration for cultural differences. Observes and inquires to understand the perspectives of others and continually examines his/her own biases and behaviors
• Working in teams:  Works collaboratively to allow the achievement of common goals and shared objectives. Actively seeks resolution of disagreements and supports decisions of the team.
• Analytical and strategic thinking:  Uses appropriate analytical tools and logic to gather, define and analyze information, situations and problems and draws logical conclusions from data. Demonstrates an ability to set clear and appropriate priorities focusing on tasks and activities which have a strategic impact on results. Anticipates and meets information needs of the team and other stakeholders.
• Conflict and self management: Manages personal reactions by remaining calm, composed and patient even when under stress or during a crisis and avoids engaging in unproductive conflict. Expresses disagreement in constructive ways that focus on the issue not the person. Tolerates conditions of uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to work productively.
• Results orientation/Commitment to excellence: Strives to achieve high personal standard of excellence. Takes action that goes beyond responding to the obvious needs of the situation and persists until successful outcomes are achieved.

Additional Competencies:

• Offer great organizational skills and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and ability to work independently and productively, with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment;
• Adopt flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment and independently, and to handle requests or issues as they arise;
• Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to successfully and effectively liaise with people in a wide range of functions in a multi-cultural environment;
• Demonstrate understanding of issues related to confidentiality, data safety and other ethical concerns related to the sharing on sensitive data between humanitarian agencies.

Requirements/Qualifications 

• Lebanese nationality;
• MA (preferred) in public health, social work, women/gender studies, humanitarian or development work, or other related degree, or equivalent programming experience;
• At least 3 years of Programme management or other relevant experience, preferably including at least 1 year implementing a GBV program in a humanitarian context;
• Experience developing and facilitating workshops;
• Experience in information management, database development, usage and management;
• Demonstrated capacity to analyse data/statistics for humanitarian operations;
• Excellent Computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Access and database software, including in depth knowledge of pivot table/chart analysis;
• Fluency in English and, Arabic strongly preferred.

5. Notice:

• There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process
• UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status

HOW TO APPLY?

Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should apply on line by submitting the following:

• Letter of motivation
• Updated CV
• P11 form [click to download] detailing work experience that is relevant to the vacancy requirements as indicated in the Job Description

The above documents should be submitted to the following email address: info-lebanon@unfpa.org no later than 2nd November 2014.  

UNFPA will only be responsible to respond to those applicants submitting the required CV and P11 and in which there is further interest.\

Source: http://www.unfpa.org.lb/UNFPA-LEBANON/Vacancies-and-Notices.aspx

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