A newsletter by Lebanon Support
Lebanon Support is a multidisciplinary space creating synergies and bridging between researchers, experts, civil society and NGO practitioners, and activists. Lebanon Support aims to foster social change through innovative uses of social science, digital technologies, and publication and exchange of knowledge.
Before we break for the end of year holidays, our team is reflecting on our centre’s efforts to foster social change through social science.
Looking back on a year that has been rife with crises globally, and particularly affecting our region, with notably the outbreak of the pandemic that has brought to light systemic inequalities, we reiterate our commitment to social justice.
We will be back in January 2021 with a variety of publications and knowledge sharing events on our cross-cutting thematics, from a multidisciplinary perspective. In the meantime, we are sharing in this last bulletin of the year our latest publications on social justice and social protection, right to health, migration, mobility and circulation, gender, and civic space which can constitute a reading list suggestion as you #StayHome this holiday season.
1. Social justice and social protection
What is social protection?
Video | MENA
This video provides an overview of social protection in the Arab region with examples from Jordan and Lebanon. It shows notably that social protection schemes are fragmented with a multiplicity of schemes and benefits, and only covers 30 to 40% of the population in the region.
Watch the video here
Social Protection in Jordan
Infographic | Jordan
Although Jordan is considered as leading in the provision of social protection in comparison to other countries in the region, its schemes remain limited in terms of inclusivity and reach, leaving segments of the population without any form of social protection. In a context of population growth, increasing poverty rates, and an economy that is highly dependent on external aid, a new social contract would be needed to reconcile a reduction of public debt, improved efficiency of public services and social justice in order to expand the coverage of its current social security schemes.
Check the infographic here
Social Protection in Lebanon
Infographic | Lebanon
This infographic provides an overview of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), that covers workers in the formal sector, excluding informal workers, but also the unemployed, the self-employed, and retirees. It offers targeted recommendations for reforms, namely developing a unified and universal security framework, that are especially needed in these times of acute crises in Lebanon.
Read the infographic here
Understanding the social protection needs of civil society workers in Lebanon. Towards strengthening social rights and security for all
Report | Lebanon
In Lebanon, the majority of workers in the civil society sector are informally employed and without access to social protection. Indeed, our study on the social protection needs of civil society workers in Lebanon (2019) showed that only 49% of the civil society workers surveyed were formally registered with the NSSF. Freelance consultants, volunteers, and “invisible” workers (such as drivers, cleaners) notably remain excluded from any type of social protection. This report aims to inform practitioners and decision makers on social protection status, needs and gaps of workers in the civil society sector and offers targeted recommendations.
Read the report here
2. Right to Health
What is Right to Health?
Beyond the mere provision of healthcare, the right to health is entrenched in human rights and encompasses underlying determinants of health (including gender equality, right to food, right to housing for example), freedoms and rights, and entitlements such as equal opportunity to access the highest attainable standards of health. All health related services, goods and facilities must be available, accessible, acceptable, and of good quality.
Read the visual here
Right to Health in Jordan
Visuals | Jordan
In Jordan, while the majority of the population has access to a wide range of public healthcare services, coverage and reach is still limited, unequal, and lacking in terms of quality. Vulnerable groups particularly, and more specifically unregistered refugees have limited access to healthcare benefits. By notably revising its public spending for a better and more equal coverage, and redistribution of resources in the healthcare sector, Jordan could significantly improve the quality and coverage of healthcare services in the country for all populations.
Read these visuals here
Right to Health in Lebanon
Visuals | Lebanon
Read the visuals here
3. Gender
Gender interventions in Lebanon: between duplicated efforts and persistent gaps
Infographic | Lebanon
This infographic*, that provides an overview of gender interventions in Lebanon, is based on data collected through a survey that has targeted 75 actors. It visualises the data trends that corroborate the necessity for more evidence based and localised interventions and actions. The data shows the persistence of gaps and duplications in the sector, with some target groups underrepresented such as trans* or policy makers, peripheries being forgotten, and some areas of focus being overlooked such as education
* This infographic was developed in partnership with Diakonia.
Read the infographic here
4. Migration, Mobility, and Circulation
Localising migration governance in the Middle East region: Towards human rights based policies and interventions
Policy Brief | MENA
This policy brief proposes targeted recommendations for a localised, human rights based migration governance in the Middle East. A ‘governance’ that is characterised by politicisation, fragmented, reactive, and hypertrophic policies, based on selection practices and a generalised security approach. It advocates notably for proactive data sharing between all actors involved, and particularly ensuring the active participation of local actors in regional and international fora, where they would engage in advocacy efforts that address causes of migration in the region.
Read the policy brief here
5. Civic Space
Shrinking space in Lebanon: A look at the repression of the social movement between 17 October 2019 to 30 October 2020
Infographic | Lebanon
The Lebanese State has been disproportionately repressing collective actions denouncing the political system and calling for social justice.
This visual looks back at these repression since the start of the last mobilisation cycle in October 2019. It shows notably that, in addition to using excessive and lethal forces during the protests, these violations also took the form of arbitrary arrests, investigations, and detention of activists, as well as censorship, restrictions on freedom of expression and on access to information. The visual also shed light on citizens and activists mobilisations to denounce these violations and protest against the increasingly shrinking civic space in Lebanon.
Read the infographic here
6. Steady growth of our publications’ reach
While this year has been challenging to all of us on many fronts, it has also meant for our centre to consolidate our digital presence, reach, and overall impact of the centre’s publications.
In the last years, so many of you have accompanied us, as we remain committed to producing accessible research, and fostering social change through innovative uses of social science, digital technologies, and publication and exchange of knowledge.
7. Jobs and opportunities at our centre
Programmes Officer
Lebanon Support is seeking to recruit a Programmes Officer who would ensure the overall, strategic, and day-to-day management of Lebanon Support’s programmes and their smooth functioning.
A masters degree or higher qualifications in NGO/ project management, social sciences, or a related field as well as 3 to 5 years of experience in the relevant field are required. The deadline to apply is on 15 January, 2020.
Read the required qualification and application guidelines here
Researcher on social justice
Lebanon Support is seeking to recruit a researcher who would contribute to the centre’s mission by leading on, and developing research on social justice in the region. A Masters degree in sociology or political science is required, and PhD candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is on January 15, 2021.
Read the required qualification and application guidelines here
Call for Researcher on Social Movements
Lebanon Support is seeking a researcher to develop quantitative and qualitative research on social movements in the MENA covering various national contexts across the region, including – but not restricted to – Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia. The deadline to apply is on January 15, 2021.
Read the required qualification and application guidelines here
Call for Researcher on Social Protection
Lebanon Support is looking for a researcher on social protection to document existing knowledge, data, research, and analysis, on social justice, and social protection schemes including national systems including– but not restricted to – Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia. The deadline to apply is on January 24, 2021.
Read the required qualification and application guidelines here
