Fiftyfiftylb - sisters are doin' it for themselves

So now that Lebanon has a new president and a new prime minister, and no I am not going to go through the hyperboles that everyone is suggesting simply because the road ahead is long and hard in front of them the time has come for the - usually incredibly difficult - task of choosing the ministers with everyone who is anyone in Lebanese political parties wanting to nominate this and that for this and that ministry which creates an equilibrium which is akin to walking on eggshells.

Now, truth be told, with a major political party having suffered a massive retreat (no names, but come on) perhaps, just perhaps, the equation might be a little easier, though no guarantee. Still Fiftyfifty - a feminist organization (here as a positive example, here as a so-so one) - is calling for many potential female candidates (which I assure you are no worse than men considering our current specimens since several decades) to be part of the government (sure some examples are questionable to be honest, I am not naming anyone but some of these females have been accused of police brutality and tainted in corruption folders in the past, so am not sure they merit their place on the list).

Still, it would be lovely to see female representatives in the government, for as I said, their work could be much better than their male counterparts.

Almaza - women's day

So today is Women's Day. Not always an achievement sadly. Almaza has gone right on the job (literally) to talk to male and female employees about the role and impact of women on the workplace. On the whole, the total correct notes were hit for both genders in terms of testimonials. You can see the film here. My favorite bit is when a female employee says "we compare ourselves to ourselves" (that would be Joelle el Zein - accountant). As I said, sadly we are still at a point where we need to prove that women contribute to the betterment of companies. I once asked a (young) taxi driver, "does your wife work?", his answer? "iza bt2oul bah bdammema" (which means "if she even thinks about it, I will hit her till blood runs out"). And that was 5 years ago. The good news is that 40% of leadership positions at Almaza are women.

Hidden Portraits - the ad I should not be writing about

OK first a disclaimer - this post is not one I should be writing as our neighbors' issues are none of my concern, we have enough issues in Lebanon thank you very much.

But do you remember Marie France and what happened in 2010? A refresher is here. Also you might not be aware or forgot this but we too had serious defacing. Where? Someone was defacing - as in literally painting over all "faces" - of the graffiti sprayed in town (this went down in 2013) below is a selection of the spoiled artworks in question:

Also, certain ads appeared censored in Lebanon in some areas and not so in others. I am thinking of a specific ad where the contours of the body of a woman were plastered but exposed in a different version, but sadly cannot find it in my archives. Long story short, this brings us to Hidden Portraits.

For more than a decade, more than 3000 women in Jerusalem have seen their images defaced on public billboards – their faces scratched out, spray painted, covered with graffiti, and in extreme cases even burned down, typically by ultra-orthodox extremists who believe women shouldn’t be seen in public. It doesn’t matter who the women are – politicians, nurses and actors have all seen themselves erased from the city streets.

Together with JCDecaux (the largest outdoor advertising company in the world), the Israel Women’s Network, Cloudfactory, Adler Chomski and Blue Oyster Media have launched a citywide campaign, featuring a mosaic image of male international actor (and star of Netflix hit Fauda), Tsahi Halevi, made out of the portraits of thousands of women who were defaced over the years.

The imagery says "look closer". And by looking closer people will see what was banned, defaced or indeed burned. As I said, the two examples above - Marie France and the graffiti - could simply tell you that the problem can be faced in many countries and regions of the world. Ours included.

So yes, the idea that someone is doing something about it is comforting.

Neswen el Furn - when women appropriate (and beat) stereotypes

Please meet Neswen El Furn (here and here).... What's so special about it?

Well, just for you to know "neswen el furn" was an insult. Heck, I even heard a Lebanese minister of culture saying it when speaking of something that made no sense. So yes, "ladies (who frequent) the oven" or where things like bread, manushes etc are made used to be a way of insulting a woman who would speak of anything and everything.

The Lebanese language is full of idioms to insult women (see here and here) and that's just the tip of the iceberg. So calling a women-led bakery or furn as "neswen el furn" is a super gutsy move. Not only you appropriate the stereotype you actually flip it on its head and beat it. The ladies open from 7 A.M. to 2 P.M. daily except Tuesdays!

Fifty Fifty wants a government in Lebanon which is half female ministers. Yes, but...

Why is it always that I see the flip side of good news. Heck, I was a feminist before it was cool to be so! But here we go. Fifty Fifty which tirelessly fights for the representation of women in the political spheres - sometimes much more effectively in terms of tone of voice than others (compare here to here) has launched a campaign whereby there'd be a government composed of 50% women ministers. 

Do note, I am all for it, and I am sure there are a lot of women worthy of the positions (of which Fifty Fifty found quite a bunch). If you want to find some of their choices please head here.

As usual, I have a "but"....

To soften the blow I'd say "yes, but..."

A lot of these women suggested by Fifty Fifty are already direct descendants of the usual political families (Chamoun, Gemayel, Yafi) or are close - as in very close - to established political figures (Kaskas, Ekmekji). Please note, I am writing this while trying not to throw shade at these women's achievements, talents and political expertise.

But the fact that these women and others (I am trying not to single these women out of the ones mentioned in the Fifty Fifty ad) were suggested leaves me wondering if at any one point we can actually leave the old political nomenclature already established in Lebanon.

But, come to think of it, a female from a certain political family/party in Lebanon at this point, is not capable of doing a worse job that a male member of her family/party.

So heck, I am all for these women!

Ukrainian women stereotyped again by Lebanese men

Now this is interesting. A while back Wiam Wahab, a Lebanese politician described Ukrainian women as simply prostitutes prompting a very severe reply from the Ukrainian embassy and an apology from Wahab. Lately (that would be February 16 in page 8 of Al Sharq newspaper whose editor in chief is Awni Al Kaaki) came a photo of a very suggestive Ukranian woman with the words "adopt a Ukrainian to protect her from Russian occupation". The image (as per the rebuke of the Ukrainian embassy) contains "gender identity consideration, and contains harm based on gender, and insults the dignity of Ukrainian nationals". Well, it goes to say that the image in question shows a very scantily clad woman, with very revealing attire that delimit her incredibly suggestive forms. 

This obviously is a wink to the fact that for a long time, Eastern European women would come to Lebanon as "artistes" and were staples in night shows or what is called "super night clubs" (in other countries referred to as Gentlemen's Clubs) where women in minimum clothing would perform "numeros". It is also agreed that men can invite them to their tables, open bottles of champagne for them and when not working at clubs can go out with them (normally with financial retributions for their services). Naturally all this falls under stereotyping - except that women from certain countries cannot go easily to Lebanon under the age of 40 due specifically to the idea that they will be performing in such clubs or be of loose morals. 

This is a case which really happened: A woman from a certain European country had enormous trouble coming to Lebanon because she was under the age of 40. The problem is that she wanted to come here to help her daughter, married to a Lebanese deliver her first grandchild as her daughter was married to a Lebanese man. Which both women marrying young (the grandmother and the mother) you can imagine the conundrum. Actually having worked at the airport I can tell you that women coming from these countries are immediately rounded up and kept aside as soon as their plane lands, whether they come here as "artiste", wives of local men or any other designation.

Which brings us back to stereotyping of Eastern European women, and Ukrainian women specifically. It is to note that Al Kaaki has not apologized for the publication of the photo.

Elections 2022: Fifty Fifty and the women's quota in elections

Fifty Fifty have a new ad about implementing the women's quota during the next elections.

In case you do not know, women's quota is precisely what it says: there ought to be a certain % of women elected in the parliament as part of its members.

If this reminds you of the "affirmative action" in the United States, whereby students of certain race, minorities were chosen to be part of students of certain universities - then you are correct. And just like affirmative action, the women's quota has its same issues: were these people accepted/voted just because they were minorities/women, or because of their own merit.

The other problem is one that was voiced long, long ago by May Chidiac when she still a journalist at LBC (she's gone to be very briefly a minister since), while discussing the women's quota (which you will see is not a recent issue): "And someone like Nayla Mouawad? Is she part of the quota or is not?" for your info, Nayla Mouawad is the wife of the slain president Rene Mouawad, and who "inherited" his clan and political power in the north (specifically Zgharta el Zawye). By the same token, Sethrida Geagea, wife of Samir and who also took power from him while he was imprisoned and banished (do note, Samir Geagea is still alive) is in the same predicament: Is she part of the quota or not?

And this of course, begs the question - to whom the quota applies, and are they on a separate list or part of the whole melee? Lebanon still has a long row to hoe when it comes to women's right (anything from age of consent to ability to travel and divorce are still very backwards in terms of laws).

You can watch the ad here (the copy is a bit prepackaged though).

Abaad - for once gets the message (almost) right

Well, I spoke previously how associations that struggle for women's defense were at the verge of over-exposure (see here). For a long time these associations offered the same message with a slight variant. This time around Abaad gets the message (almost) right (will explain the almost below). The ad starts innocently with a woman saying that the prices of good are increasing astronomically. Suddenly, I was attracted to the ad. Then comes the punch "and the number of abuse victims is even more frightening" - the woman is then gently but decisively pulled by her male partner. What follows is a good ad about women's lack of safety anywhere from streets, to the house, to the bathroom. Now, here comes my small gripe, the whole campaign is lead by the #دايما_وقتها (it's always the right time, implicitly, for women's protection). But right before that tag there was a beautiful line that wrapped the ad "بالاولوية ما في افضلية" ("When it comes to priority, there is no priority" in the ad sadly translated as "when it comes to priority, there no one to be favored"). The ad can be seen here.

Education as a means to stop early child marriage

Now that is strange, I only saw this campaign yesterday on the road leading to Dora. But it seems to be from 2020. Well, apparently the purpose of the campaign is to educate little girls to prevent child marriage - which yes, is still rampant in the region. The ad goes a bit descriptive by portraying a girl in a wedding dress on one side and with the cap and gown on the own with the line "put me in my graduation dress". The campaign is sponsored by the Embassy of Finland in Lebanon and by the Malala Fund (in reference to Malala Youzafsai - the Pakistani activist).

Well, what worries me these days is a different matter.

Lately I spoke to a man - who supposedly went to Latvia to study medicine but eventually dropped out after 2 years. Long story short we were speaking about him sending his rather small children (2 boys) to a village school, and his reaction was: "it is too expensive, let them stay home, many parents are keeping their children away from school." To begin with these are boys we are speaking of, not girls. So whereas the campaign above targets girls, it is also interesting that even boys are being left out of school.

The other angle is a story from a long long time ago. In 1993 during my first field survey at AUB which I themed as a study to understand why girls were not sent to school in South Lebanon. The first house we visited it turned out they did send girls to school. OK, I thought, this is an exception. Second house, ditto. Third, fourth, fifth - ditto. By then I was in sweat, there was something wrong in my hypothesis. So in the following interview I asked the man: "Hajj, why do you send your daughters to school?" and he said "well, iza ma ija nassiba (if she did not end up getting married, she'll have her education and she can end up a teacher, the boy, if he doesn't go to school, fi ya3mel bansharji (he can open a tire fixing shop)".

Well, I realize the two examples might be antagonistic, but then again - welcome to Lebanon.

Nike and that opportunistic pregnant women ad

Is the new Nike ad about pregnant athletes great?

Yes.

Does it feature pregnant and lactating athletes?

It does.

Is is opportunistic?

Like hell it is.

Why?

Hear me out.

Ever heard of Olympians Alysia Montano and Kara Gouche?

Well, their contract with Nike did not include protections as to their pregnancies and new mothers role.

You might enjoy this Op-Ed in the New York Times. In short - Nike is redeeming itself because people either do not know the story, or have short memories, or like their brands on the right side of history (here's looking at you Kaepernik, LGBT, Women, etc...).

And so here we are, the ad is good. But honestly, too ethically low following the initial backlash.

RDFL takes a page from the KAFA/Abaad playbook

RDFL, who did a brilliant ad post-elections, is sadly taking a somber page from the Kafa/Abaad playbook (namely the distressed bride on a black background). Yes, yes, I understand the idea but it has been used and overused and honestly, and am sad to say this, the level of shoulder-shrugging on women's issues has increased tremendously in a country where everything else takes precedent (specifically this year) without counting the danger of over-exposure I already mentioned before on the blog (here). Surely, the ad is timely, as it discusses laws which were being stipulated by the MPs, but honestly - at this stage - it just looks like "another women's law ad right in December" right at the door of a very troubled Christmas season riddled with poverty and unemployment.

Pantone creates "period" red for Intimina

Well, I almost never share a press release but I could never put it in better words:

Presenting “Period”, a new red shade created to break the stigma around menstruation and promote period positivity. Swedish healthcare brand Intimina came to Pantone Color Institute to develop this custom color in support of their global campaign to make menstruation more visible and normalize this most normal of bodily functions.
Pantone Color Institute collaborated with Intimina on the Seen + Heard campaign to create a red shade that is inspired by a steady menstrual flow. Pantone and Intimina worked alongside a gynecologist and consulted research published in Medical News Today to develop the shade, but by no means is this supposed to be an accurate depiction. Instead, a visual identifier of a red shade was created that would help Intimina leverage the power of color to share their story.
“An active and adventurous red hue, courageous Period emboldens people who menstruate to feel proud of who they are. To own their period with self-assurance; to stand up and passionately celebrate the exciting and powerful life force they are born with; to urge everyone regardless of gender to feel comfortable to talk spontaneously and openly about this pure and natural bodily function."

Annahar subverts women's stereotypes

 Annahar is subverting stereotypes about women. Boldly and smartly.

"Girls should not stay out late", "Women talk too much", "Women should know their place" - the respective images tell the other story. The long copy, which trust me is exceptionally hard to do, tells the fuller story. The ads are really good. The problem? What is their target audience? To whom are they addressed? Are they done for the awards season or do they have a real target in mind. If I ask, it is because Nayla Tueni (CEO of Annahar) went to Cyprus to have a civil marriage instead of fighting for civil marriages here in Lebanon (when she was a member of the parliament no less!), which prompted me to write the piece that made it to her Wikipedia entry "what's so civil about this marriage?" - so Mrs Tueni Maktabi cannot have it both ways. My verdict? These are ads made for awards, no more, no less.

Fifty Fifty says "let's hit women"

How about that for a smart ad. Fifty Fifty an organization focused on women's right, and who is now talking about the taboo of domestic violence (apparently cases increased by 86% year on year between March 2019 and March 2020 - no idea if these are reported or estimated or actual cases though), by saying outright "let's hit women". Except they want women to be hit with legal rights, equality and a "full protective law for violence against women" (my eternal point of contention - should the law come first or should the mentality be changed?). Still, a provocative and interesting ad. It makes you look and think!

Abaad sharing number against domestic violence #حجر_مش_حجز

So what happens when you are part of a couple where there is a case of domestic violence? When you had a respite where he was at work but are now on lockdown with him at all hours of the day? Where you have no more break and desperately need an emotional refuge. Abaad is launching an initiative where people are encouraged to share its hotline on April 16 at 6 PM (the line is 81788178). A lot of women do not know this number or are aware of its existence. Well, we certainly live in challenging times and any such initiative helps. The tag is #حجر_مش_حجز which roughly translates into "lockdown not lock up".

Hershey's Women's Day - a tailor-made campaign

Let's face it, no other brand could do this. Why? Because it is tailor-made to the name of Hershey's. Her/She bars were released withe name of trailblazing women to honor Women's Day. There you go - so specific to the brand it cannot be duplicated. Smart! This was done done in Brazil by the way...