Highlights & Selected Articles

• Women Rights (25/81 articles) mainly shed light on ABAAD campaign to abolish the controversial penal code article that protects rapists who marry their victims. In a unanimous agreement, Parliament’s Administration and Justice Committee agreed to abolish Article 522.
• Refugees (8/81 articles) showcased the stereotyping that affects Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon on daily basis. One story highlighted the hardships endured by Syrian refugees in Arsal, among other related articles.
• HIV/AIDS (7/81 articles) presented related articles to celebrate the annual World AIDS Day event held on December 1^st of every year. According to the National AIDS Program at the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon, 108 new cases of HIV were recorded in 2016.
• Environment (7/81 articles) showcased different related articles, among them, a movement led by bird hunters to protest the Ministry of Environment’ decision in banning hunting in Lebanon. Another article informed about Baabda judge, Hasan Hamdan, who ordered authorities to conduct studies on the impact of the construction of an east Lebanon landfill on flight safety and the environment.

• Road Safety (6/81 articles) informed about NGO “Roads for Life” submitting certificates to emergency medical services members who completed a session specialized in treating critical and complex injuries of road accidents, among other related events.
• Mental Health (4/81 articles) showcased a study stating that the prevalence of depression in adolescents and young adults has increased in recent years. The findings call for renewed efforts to expand mental health service capacity to best meet the needs of this age group, among other articles.
• Food Safety (2/81 articles) highlighted the weekly report of the Ministry of Public Health’ activities as well as the 98^th list of conforming and non-conforming food establishments. 
• Other (4/81 articles) compiled public health related articles among them, an interview with MARSA NGO regarding sexual health. Another article reported on a Lebanese man who was also found asphyxiated in his house, among other issues.

• Cancer (4/81 articles) mostly covered the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL)’ annual fundraising gala dinner. Since its inauguration in 2002, the center has reportedly treated, to date, more than 1,250 children with cancer with an 80% cure rate.
• Substance Abuse (3/81 articles) informed that South Lebanon regional Anti-drug Bureau at the Internal Security Forces arrested six suspects over drug charges in Sidon. Police apprehended three drug dealers and three other individuals for doping.
• Domestic Worker (3/81 articles) reported on a new NGO that aims at improving relations between domestic workers and employers. On the other hand, one article reported on a book by an architect about racism in architecture in Lebanon, and how domestic helpers are given rooms of only 5 meters squared. This section also shed light on two Ethiopian found asphyxiated in their house in Byblos.
• NSSF (2/81 articles) reported on corruption issues happening at the National Social Security Fund
• Domestic Violence (2/81 articles) highlighted issues regarding the law of protecting women and other family members from domestic violence. Another article shed light on guidelines issued by NGO KAFA that aims at building the capacity of media, especially when regarding domestic violence incidents. 
• Ageing (2/81 articles) covered an awareness campaign launched by Byblos municipality in collaboration with IDRAAK NGO on empowering elderly in Lebanon. 
• Water (1/81 articles) shed light on a report by the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon stating that school children are drinking infected water.
• Patient Safety (1/81 articles) provided legal updates regarding the case of child Ella Tannous.
• Hospitals (1/81 articles) reported on two hospitals, one public and one private, refusing admission of the bodies of two Ethiopians who were found asphyxiated in Byblos.