Date: Feb 2, 2019
Source: The Daily Star
State ministry name changed after outcry
BEIRUT: Prime Minister Saad Hariri Friday agreed to change the name of a state ministry that caused controversy after the new government was formed.

When Hariri’s 30-member Cabinet lineup was announced Thursday, social media criticized Violette Safadi’s office, named the Ministry of State for Social and Economic Rehabilitation for Youth and Women.

Controversy erupted over the word “rehabilitate,” which some saw as offensive to women and youth.

A statement from Safadi’s office Friday said Hariri had approved her request to replace the word “rehabilitate.”

It is now named the office of the Minister of State for the Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth.

The National Commission for Lebanese Women praised the move, thanking the presidency and the premiership office for their response.

NCLW President Claudine Aoun Roukoz had said in a tweet Thursday that her organization asked for a name change.

In earlier televised comments, Safadi said her main priority will be creating opportunities for youth. “We will see what the needs of the marketplace are and enable the youth accordingly.”