Youth development and spatial configurations: socio-spatial inequalities in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon

This article explores the intersectional fields of displacement and architecture by examining the interrelationship between youth development and spatial configurations in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, more specifically in Ein El Hilweh Camp, South of the country. It aims at understanding how spatial configurations can alter human behavior, and the ways in which societal reform can take place in an urban context. Through taking Ein El Hilweh Camp as a case study and field interviews with experts working and residing in the Ein El-Hilweh Camp, this article asserts that youth development in Palestinian Camps in Lebanon is hindered by the dire conditions of spatial configurations in the camps and their geopolitics. It also asserts that in the presence of fostered youth protection and capacity and skills building, youth engagement and participation in the modification of their spaces act as essential drivers of change which contribute to the reduction of urban poverty and to the development of urban strategies that can sustain their development and provide an incubating environment for them to grow during the stages of their youth and beyond. Moreover, this article suggests that the primary factor contributing to the hindered situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is the condition of permanent temporariness imposed by the state. The reduction of socio-spatial inequalities is temporary unless the integration of Palestinian refugees is fostered and their accessibility to social, economic, and civil rights, as well as the right to the city is granted.

The gender dimensions of sexual violence against migrant domestic workers in post-2019 Lebanon

INTRODUCTION

In December 2020, the Lebanese Parliament passed the landmark Law 205 against sexual harassment that could see perpetrators spend up to four years in prison and pay fines up to fifty times the minimum wage. The law additionally affords protection to both the victims and any witnesses who testify against the accused. While the law was applauded as a step forward for sexual harassment victims, it excludes an important faction of the community-migrant domestic workers. The law falls short of international standards by addressing sexual harassment solely as a crime and neglecting to complement this law with labor law reforms, monitoring, and civil remedies. This research focuses on the various forms of sexual violence either protected or enabled under the Kafala system. It aims to depict the incessant violations this type of system has produced.

METHODS

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 913 migrant domestic workers in Lebanon. A variety of multifaceted, mixed design methods were used to collect information during the write up of this report, all of which are participatory, inclusive and target group sensitive where needed. These methods ensured that the findings were derived from a collective contribution from a wide range of target groups, triangulated and validated, and that gender considerations were integrated into the data collection and analysis methods. Primarily, these methods included: (1) Desk/Policy Review; and (2) in-depth Key Informant Interviews.

RESULTS

Whilst asked about whether or not they had survived at least one incident of sexual harassment during their employment or stay in Lebanon, 68% of respondents informed the study that they had. According to respondents, various forms of sexual harassment included: (1) inappropriate staring or leering in a sexual manner; (2) sexually suggestive comments/jokes/name-calling; (3) intrusive questions about your sex life/physical appearance that were offensive; (4) someone showing his/her private parts/half or fully-naked body offensively; (5) unwelcome touching, hugging, kissing or other inappropriate physical contact; (6) sexually explicit calls or messages; (7) repeated or inappropriate invitations to dates; (8) sexually explicit pictures, posters or other material; (9) actual or attempted rape or sexual assault; (10) video/photo taking of survivors of a sexual nature; (11) requests or pressure for sex or other sexual acts; and/or (12) other forms of sexual harassment. 56.2% of the sample (513 women) insisted that they had experienced at least one of the aforementioned forms of sexual assault, while 11.7% (107 women) confirmed that they had experienced sexual assault, but weren't willing to describe their experiences in detail.

DISCUSSION

The variety in nationality and race across the sample presented important findings pertaining to ill-treatment, fetishization, and violence each group of women faced. In addition to an overall sense of racism experienced by black MDWs, hierarchy within the MDWs' community presents itself in various forms-even at the early stages of recruitment at the agency. Undocumented MDWs are left powerless in terms of reporting sexual abuse and therefore, are at the mercy of the aggressor. Navigating the country's legal, cultural and social landscapes without documentation or a legal residency permit has become increasingly difficult in recent years, as this has laid the foundation for exploitation and abuse in the areas of: (1) paying less than what MDWs deserve; (2) taking advantage of their legal standing to make them work longer hours; (3) threatening to report them to the authorities if they object; and (4) sexual harassment in all forms.

Perceived facilitators and barriers to the provision of sexual and reproductive health services in response to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon

BACKGROUND

The Syrian crisis has resulted in one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history. Inadequate access to and use of sexual and reproductive health services is a prevailing issue among adolescent girls and young refugee women in humanitarian settings.

OBJECTIVES

This article aimed to explore and describe the perceived extent of implementation of the different objectives and activities outlined within the minimum initial service package for reproductive health in crisis services in Lebanon, from the perspectives of a diverse set of stakeholders from leading organizations (public, private, primary health centers, nongovernmental organizations) that were directly engaged with the Syrian refugee crisis response.

DESIGN

This study is a cross-sectional survey conducted using a standardized and validated questionnaire.

METHODS

Centers that provided sexual and reproductive health services to Syrian refugees in Lebanon were mapped. The study was based on a purposive sampling approach, retrieving 52 eligible organizations to cover most areas in the country. A total of 43 centers accepted to take part in the study. The head of the center was then asked to identify one person in their center who holds adequate knowledge of the explained objectives of the survey. Accordingly, the identified person was asked to fill out the survey.

RESULTS

A considerable portion of the respondents had limited knowledge about the specific minimum initial service package objectives and related sexual and reproductive health services. The study found the presence of a leading reproductive health agency, the Lebanese MoPH, as an essential facilitating factor for sexual and reproductive health service provision in Lebanon and has helped in overseeing the overall sexual and reproductive health coordination response for Syrian refugees (76.74% of all respondents). The identified challenges impeding adequate sexual and reproductive health services provision for Syrian refugees included (1) insufficient supplies (46.51%); (2) insufficient funds (39.53%); and (3) shortage of staff (39.53%).

CONCLUSION

The recommendations for improved sexual and reproductive health service provision include the need for (1) enforcing the lead minimum initial service package agency for adequate and effective coordination, reporting, and accountability and (2) increasing funding for training staff and healthcare workers, as well as improving the overall quality of services available with the inclusion of family planning services, purchasing the necessary commodities, supplies and equipment, and covering fees associated with the different sexual and reproductive health services.

The political economy of health in conflict: Lessons learned from three states in the Eastern Mediterranean Region during COVID-19

Background

The Eastern Mediterranean Region continues to face a severe scale of emergencies as a direct result of conflict and political instability in a number of countries. As of 2020, nine countries out of 22 countries in the region affected by protracted and ongoing wars and conflict, left more than 62 million people in dire need of access to quality health care and adequate response measures. COVID-19 exacerbates the humanitarian needs of the people especially in countries that suffer from humanitarian crises, and drains the already overstretched health care systems. This study was conducted to derive major takeaways and lessons learned from the COVID-19 response in humanitarian and low resource settings that may assist similar vulnerable and fragile settings in different regions in view of a possible next pandemic.

Methods

The study involved a desk review, document analysis, and key informant interviews with key stakeholders from the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Results

A total of 35 key informant interviews were carried out with health professionals working in humanitarian and low resource settings in the region. This study focuses on the information gathered from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

Conclusions

A key finding of this study is that each of the nine pillars for COVID response has been implemented differently across the different countries. Although the nine pillars guide the overall response to COVID-19 in the region, they also provide countries with an important starting point and an important implementation tool.

Mental Health in Lebanon's Triple-Fold Crisis: The Case of Refugees and Vulnerable Groups in Times of COVID-19

Lebanon's management of the COVID-19 pandemic is largely being maneuvered amid the country's escalating triple fold crisis. As the country continues to grapple with political stagnation, a dwindling economy and currency, all while working through an ongoing refugee crisis, mental health in times of Coronavirus in Lebanon remains unaddressed. This piece explores the effects of this triple fold crisis upon the mental health of the country's refugees and most vulnerable groups, and provides room for discussions on the potential benefits of telemental health as an intervention in low-income and conflict settings. Although the implementation of TMH services in Lebanon among vulnerable communities in times of COVID-19 is not a priority, this piece insists it would ultimately fill a substantial mental health gap during the country's ongoing difficult transitory period.