MASTHEAD
PUBLISHER PROMOPRINTS CHAIRMAN/CEO IMAD JOMAA GENERAL MANAGER ALAIN DAVID EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NAYLA KURD JUNIOR EDITOR YASMIN HARAKE SENIOR DESIGNER REEM JOUDIEH MARKETING/SALES SENIOR MARKETING COORDINATOR CHRISTINE TOHME
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ON THE COVER Sponsored by
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CONTRIBUTORS SARAH LILY YASSINE A practicing urban planner in Beirut with a background in environmental sciences, ecology, policy and planning. Her portfolio embodies an array of local and international projects including Beirut’s street lighting master plan, Beirut’s Birdscapes research and design piece for Portal 9 Journal and the civic campaign for the protection of Dalieh el Raouche, among others.
MOOD BOARD
HIDE
& CHIC
Cyrille Najjar proves that understated, sustainable accessories are the perfect additions - whether you’re browsing for you or for your home.
CANDLE HOLDER, ARABESQUES
BRACELET FOR TONY WARD ITERATIVE STAINLESS CHAMPAGNE BUCKET
FRACTAL LIGHT XXL, NECKLACE FOR TONY WARD
ITERATIVE VASE
BIRDIE BOOKMARKER, STAINLESS
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BRACELET FOR TONY WARD
HANDMADE 1/8
NEWS ROUND UP Regional Affairs
TENDER FLOATED IN OMAN TO MANAGE SOLAR MONITORING SITES The authority carried out a detailed feasibility study that found significant potential in terms of developing solar energy sources in the country.
The Oman Power and Water Company (OPWP) have floated a tender to appoint a firm to manage operations and maintenance services at two solar monitoring sites. The two areas are close to Adam city and Manah city, and OPWP is currently responsible for ensuring consistent and correct data collection from these locations. According to the Times of Oman, a tender notification has said, “the solar data is made freely available to the public and is intended to qualify Oman’s availability of solar resources.”
DUBAI NAMED THE MOST SUSTAINABLE CITY IN GCC Dubai might rank 33rd out of 50 of the world’s most sustainable cities, but it has been named 1st in the Middle East. Consultancy Arcadis’ Sustainable Cities Index compiled a list of the world’s most sustainable cities by taking their environmental progress, viability as a place to live and financial stability into consideration. Sitting comfortably at 1st place is Frankfurt, with London not far behind in the runner-up spot. According to Construction Week Online, Arcadis said, “Frankfurt’s high ranking in the Sustainable Cities Index may come as a surprise, however, the self-proclaimed ‘Green City Frankfurt’ has a long track record of proactively taking action to improve its sustainability.” 20 different indicators are taken into account when putting the index together, including greenspace, income inequality and ease of doing business.
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Abu Dhabi is sitting at 34th place with Doha at 41st, Jeddah at 43rd and Riyadh at 44th.
NEWS ROUND UP
DUBAI OPENS FIRST ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING HUB It is one of the 16 stations that are to be opened during phase one of the Smart Dubai initiative.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has inaugurated the Emirate’s very first electric vehicle charging station. The move is part of the Smart Dubai strategic plan, and the facility itself is now open to the public like another 11 of them already are. Located at DEWA’s headquarters in Al Garhoud, local dignitaries and policymakers inaugurated the new station, including His Highness
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. According to Construction Week Online, the managing director and chief executive officer of DEWA, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said, “this station is an important step towards achieving the objectives of the sustainable smart city, and transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world.” Before the end of this year, DEWA plans to have 100 charging stations across Dubai and to kick start the rollout, the authority is collaborating with an array of car manufacturers, airports, shopping malls and petrol stations, as well as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Municipality.
DAMAC REVEALS PLANS TO BUILD A MANMADE RAINFOREST IN DUBAI As part of Damac’s Akoya Oxygen project, Dubai is set to welcome its very own man-made rainforest. It will be housed underneath a dome and will be home to a forest canopy zip wire ride, rock climbing walls, steam baths and pool spas. Ziad El Chaar, the firm’s managing director, told Construction Week Online, “Dubai is known around the world for attracting the biggest and best and the Dubai Rainforest joins that list of unique attractions which will support the growth of the city,” before adding, “the Dubai Rainforest will be a tropical wonderland, where tourists, residents and school groups can immerse themselves in and inspire a new generation.”
The new addition is expected to recreate the natural environment that can be found in the heart of the deepest rainforests, which covers 6% of the earth’s surface.
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Courtesy of Thierry Van Bissen
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THE ARCHITECT
THE DESIGNER
WHITE NOISE Cyrille Najjar is a graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, professor at the Lebanese American University and the founder of multi-disciplinary architecture and innovation agency White sur White. Using only sustainable materials, the designer talks to Yasmin Harake about the inspiration behind his work, and the significance of preserving traditional Lebanese architecture.
THE ARCHITECT
Profile
The conversation begins with Mr. Helou discussing his early life and how he initially became inspired to pursue architecture as a career. He reflects on his earlier years, in particular a day spent with his father. “Beirut was under reconstruction, and my dad took me on a tour of the city’s central district while explaining the process behind the area’s revival. Meanwhile, my thoughts drifted, and I began plotting; creating my very own Downtown Beirut in my mind. It was there and then that I knew this is what I wanted to do.” Courtesy of White Sur White
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THE ARCHITECT
Courtesy of Thierry Van Bissen
Cyrille Najjar
Cyrille Najjar’s studio is bright and flooded with sunshine from the large windows on the other side of the room. The surfaces are home to an array of tools and discarded packaging that I can’t help but stop to examine. “That’s for one of these,” Cyrille tells me, brandishing a beautiful brass figure that slips inside the delicate paper pocket I am so curiously inspecting. “It’s a bookmark,” he explains with a smile, before insisting I take one with me as a gift. I try to hide my excitement as I clutch it with both hands, already thinking about taking it home to my extensive collection of hardcovers and paperbacks. But let’s start at the beginning. As Cyrille leads me further into the studio, I can’t help but look around the founder of White sur White’s workspace, noticing a keyboard and a beautiful three-piece set of guitars that sit proudly on one of the walls. As someone who has always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, it took all my strength to not immediately ask him to play something. As we take our seats at the far end of his studio – a stunning abstract bracelet catches my eye. “This is a project that was six
months in development,” Cyrille explains. “Some parts are cut – punch pressed or laser cut – and the rest is finished by hand.” Made exclusively for Tony Ward, I continue to turn the bracelet over in my hands, fascinated by its elegant simplicity. Nothing distracts a girl quite like jewellery, so after I come to my senses I decide it is time to get to know the designer a little better, and I start by inquiring about the name of his company. “I don’t know if you’ve heard of Malevich?” Cyrille asks. I shake my head. “He was one of the artists at the start of the abstract movement, and he painted something called ‘Le Carré blanc sur fond blanc,’ which translates to ‘a white square on a white background.’ This is what inspired me to call the company White sur White - I wanted a name that would portray how abstract art revolutionised perception.” Creative minds find their inspiration from the most unexpected places and sources, and with an education at the Royal College of Art in London, (RCA) I wondered if Cyrille was influenced by anything in particular from this experience that he implements in his work today. “Absolutely,” he replies before pausing and asking me if I’m British. I laugh and tell him I am, before he explains how fortunate he feels to have studied at such a prestigious school, and lived in a city so rich in inspiration - before we briefly discuss the best places to grab a burger in London.
THE ARCHITECT
“One of the main things I learned whilst at RCA is the idea of crossing the boundaries between different fields. I work with graphics, web, applications, technology, architecture, urban planning, product design, fashion, accessories and shoes – for me there are no boundaries between the various fields – or realms - of design.” “Even in music,” he continues. “My musical instruments are here in the studio,” he says, gesturing towards the mounted guitars. “Whether I am writing a song or designing a building, I do it in exactly the same way.” Probing a little deeper, I ask him if he feels that way because it is the same thought process involved when creating something, be it a building or a piece of music. “You walk people through a space,” he states. “But you are also walking them through a story, so it’s the same thing. It’s all about what you want to convey; the feelings and emotions you want to bring forth in someone’s mind.” When asked if he finds inspiration from other sources, such as architecture magazines, Cyrille answers quickly. “Oh, no. I actually get more inspiration from cooking than I do from looking at an architecture magazine. We are people who refuse to accept reality as it is. We decide and choose to change it. This is probably why you might find that designers are happier than a lot of other people – because they are making their own reality.” Talking of designers, I want to know how Cyrille’s work differs to that of others in his field. “I don’t really browse the work of other designers,” he tells me, “but a lot of them are actually former students of mine, so I’m aware of what they do.” We find ourselves discussing how different things are within the design industry today. “Nowadays, we have become used to throwing things away instead of replacing them,” he explains. “Just because something is easier to produce, it doesn’t mean it’s actually better.” Cyrille’s argument is a valid one, as we are slowly losing touch with personal, meaningful items in favour of ones that are quick to produce and easy to replace. “I like to collect and to have beautiful items,” he says. It isn’t only the people Cyrille strives to do good for, but the buildings as well. “I’ve been here for sixteen years and I never took down a building,” he says. Cyrille has strong feelings when it comes to preserving what is left of the old Lebanese structures and spaces. His outlook on preserving rather than replacing is further emphasised by the materials he chooses to work with. “I don’t use anything that isn’t sustainable,” he tells me. Whether he is making brass bookmarks or renovating a building, Cyrille’s methods and materials are always sustainable and environmentally friendly. “Everyone wants to preserve Lebanon, but no one wants to do anything about it. Those who do want to make a change don’t think they have a voice. People don’t think they can change things – but they can.” When it comes to sustainability, Cyrille doesn’t take matters lightly. “Obviously there are two sides to my work – architecture and design. I think in both of these areas, it’s not even a topic to discuss whether a building or a product should be sustainable or not. It’s not even a question anymore.” 54
Courtesy of Thierry Van Bissen
“ ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I LEARNED WHILST AT RCA IS THE IDEA OF CROSSING THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN DIFFERENT FIELDS. ”
THE ARCHITECT
“ I DON’T USE ANYTHING THAT ISN’T SUSTAINABLE. ”
Courtesy of White Sur White
When asked if working with sustainable materials comes with challenges or restrictions, Cyrille tells me that he hasn’t encountered any. “I use water-based paints and other products that are easy on nature,” he explains. “If I am designing a bottle for someone I would always advise them to create it with glass rather than plastic, because glass has an eternal cycle of life. Plastic might be easier to produce, more convenient to ship and sometimes cheaper to make but it pollutes our seas. If you throw a bottle of glass into the sea it becomes sand – silicate – again, whereas the plastic comes back in our fish.” Cyrille is not only familiar with bottles that do good for the environment, but for the consumer as well. Funded by the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre of RCA, Cyrille won the Design for Future Self Award for the design of a bottle in partnership with Mothercare. The bottle uses sunlight to warm the water naturally, and so killing the bacteria held within it. He explains how it was developed with those living in a crisis situation in mind. “The whole White sur White concept was developed for refugees,” he tells me. “I started the company for that reason, but I quickly realised that no one cares
Courtesy of White Sur White
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about them.” Cyrille tells me of some furniture designs he has placed online that are free for the public to download for personal use. “I don’t take money for it,” he explains. Why not? “Because it’s fun!” he laughs. Cyrille is evidently someone who cares a great deal not only for the quality of his designs and products, but for the people who choose to use them as well. Surely there is something very rewarding for Cyrille in creating such selfless designs, and I ask him what the best part of the creative process is for him. “Pictures,” he says. “When clients send me pictures of their kids having a blast with the products. I love that.” He laughs, remembering incidents where he is invited to a dinner or event and surprises his friends. “I walk into that dinner and I see these candleholders at the centre of every table. My friends won’t even know that I’ve designed them, so I ask, “are you aware that I designed these?” and their reaction is always, “no! really?” and that’s amazing - it’s a great feeling.” When he isn’t designing beautiful candleholders and renewable energy-based products, Cyrille still finds time to design buildings and teach students. He is currently renovating an old house from the 19th century in Ashrafieh, and describes it as quite a project. “We’ve kept and preserved the old building,” he explains, “I work with the materials that I have, and I fight to keep the green areas there. I actually lost about 160 metres of underground just to keep a tree.” Cyrille goes on to tell me about an old house he renovated in Batroun, explaining how he doubled the walls in order to improve insulation. “I have done as much as possible in order to make the house up to date and relevant to today’s living. This is one of the problems when renovating an old house – it’s not easy and it’s usually more expensive – but the pleasure you get from living in an old Lebanese house is just priceless.” Cyrille is more than familiar when it comes to working with others of the same field, and so I ask him if there is anyone he would like to collaborate with in particular. “Well, I’d like to work with JeanPaul Gautier,” he laughs, and I quickly nod in agreement. Cyrille tells me of how he has collaborated with Bernard Khoury, Galal Mahmoud and Tony Ward, to name a few. “I’ve worked with so many architects and designers, and it’s a great pleasure.” Working as a professor at the Academie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) for the past seven years, Cyrille tells me that it is time for him to move on and he is doing so by teaching at the Lebanese American University (LAU). I’m intrigued to know how Cyrille balances his time between being a product designer, architect and a teacher. “I teach two days a week, and it means bringing awareness to young adults. It’s a way of questioning everything I do.” I ask him if this means that upon occasion, a student can change his perspective when it comes to the way he thinks. “All the time,” he replies. “I think every person has to become who he is. Our job is not to impose – it is to reveal the student’s abilities.” The warm way in which Cyrille responds to my final question portrays how he is someone who takes great care in everything he does be it designing or teaching – and the skillfully-crafted bookmark tucked inside my latest read is a little reminder of that. Courtesy of White Sur White
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COMING UP
PRE-VIEW
IT’S A MAN’S WORLD The Men’s World Exhibition is pretty self-explanatory. Take a step inside the exhibition, and you will immediately find yourself immersed in all things masculine. From an extensive selection of the latest technology to luxury cars and boats - so basically, everything currently sitting on the modern man’s Christmas list (and yes, we know it’s April.) One of the partners of the company behind the exhibition, Fairs and Exhibitions World, or FEW, Joelle Ghannam explains, “Men’s World Exhibition is a new concept in Lebanon. We have seen exhibitions solely for boats or cars, but today we are bringing together 150 exhibitors from various sectors under one umbrella.” So, whether you feel like experiencing new and innovative concepts that were completely unknown to you before, or just fancy behaving like a small child at a birthday party, the Men’s World Exhibition 2015 is for you. If you have a love of the outdoors, be sure to make a pit-stop at the hiking and hunting areas, where you will be sure to find an array of products and services that will enhance your outside experience, from cars and ATVs to motorcycles and aviation products that will appeal to every adrenaline junkie. If you’re in the mood for something that involves a little less mud and a little more luxury, take a look at the wide range of spas and pools for some of that much-needed relaxation you’ve heard so much about. Maybe fitness is more your thing. If that’s the case, there will be a huge variety of health products, sports and gym equipment for you to play with. Keeping fit and healthy is becoming an everyday necessity for the man of today, so if you’re looking for some updates to your workout routine then you have come to the right place – a bit like a kid in a candy shop - just as much fun but without the calories. What about the techies amongst you? We all love the latest gadgets and gizmos (whether we admit it or not) and the Men’s World Exhibition will be showcasing an array of wireless
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communications, high-tech electronics, cameras, home theatres and enough audio equipment for your car to make you feel like you’re starring in your very own music video. Organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and in partnership with SGBL bank, the exhibition is the creation of a relatively new face in the world of events management, FEW. Managing director, Lina Haj explains the thinking behind the company, emphasizing, “we started FEW because we had great ideas for events with an innovative twist, and we felt, with our media, advertising, sales and event management background and expertise in the field, we can make them happen.” The idyllic La Marina Dbayeh is the perfect location for an unforgettable event that encompasses all things adventure, innovation and luxury. FEW Managing Partner, Brigitte Khoury explains the choice of venue by explaining, “from the onset, La Marina was our number one choice for this exhibition because we wanted an outdoor venue that has the charm of La Marina and the facilities to host an exhibition of this scale.” From the minute you arrive at Men’s World Exhibition 2015, you will find yourselves living the life of the elite. A red carpet will welcome you and add a touch of glamour to your already sophisticated experience and of course, there are a few cocktails to be tried and tasted at the premium bar. By the way, ladies. You are all more than welcome to attend because after all, what is a man’s world ‘without a woman or a girl?’ 4 - 10 pm from 21 - 24 May, 2015 La Marina Joseph Khoury, Dbayeh
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Ford START THE ENGINE
Ford dealers across the Middle East are preparing to launch the all-new 2015 model of Ford Expedition, one of the brand’s best-selling SUVs in the region. The new model has already started to arrive at Ford dealerships across the Middle East, and it is the most powerful, fuel-efficient Ford Expedition ever, with a 3.5 litre EcoBoost® V6 engine that delivers 365HP and best-in-class torque of 420lbs per foot, meaning this model uses more technology than ever before. The Marketing, Sales and Service Director for Ford Middle East & North Africa, Kalyana Sivagnanam said, “we are thrilled to bring the newly-refurbished Expedition to our customers, and we believe it will make its mark in the full-size SUV segment thanks to its impressive capabilities, lineup of technologies, and of course comfort.” He continued, “customers in the Middle East appreciate the capabilities of a traditional full-size utility vehicle – they want space, performance, comfort and capability all in one impressive package, and the new 2015 Expedition delivers just that.”
Sharjah KEEP IT CLEAN
Students from schools across Sharjah swapped their books for bags as they united to collect litter from the shoreline around Al Mamzar Beach. They were joined by two teams of divers from the Sharjah Police Rescue Unit and Sharjah Aquarium, who gathered discarded waste from the seabed during the Marine Environmental Clean-Up. This was organised by the Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) as part of its Because We Care social responsibility initiative. The clean-up happens once a year in order to discourage people from disposing of litter around the coastline, and to highlight the importance of protecting Sharjah’s marine environment. SMD’s Acting Curator of Sharjah Aquarium, Rashid Al Shamsi, said, “it’s amazing just how much waste we find each year, and it really shows that we need to change the public’s mentality. Today’s beach clean-up is about educating the next generation that it’s wrong to use our precious coastline as a place to discard of garbage and unwanted items.” Altogether about 120 students and a small team of community volunteers took part in the clean-up and while they combed the shoreline, the divers searched the seabed. Since launching Because We Care in 2009, SMD has staged almost 200 events and projects aimed at promoting responsible citizenship. 96
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Rotana ROTANA RECYCLE
In February, and as part of the group’s ongoing commitment to its sustainability platform, ‘Rotana Earth’, Rotana published its Sustainability Report for the year of 2014. The report demonstrates how over the last year, Rotana took part in a total of 273 CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities, and raised the equivalent of $545,000 through cash and in-kind donations as well as volunteering and fundraising by the employees. The initiatives within CSR cover a range of problem areas, including society, economy, health, education and the environment amongst others. The company also achieved a huge saving when it came to waste management and recycling programs carried out throughout the year - $817,500 to be exact. In 2014, over 1,100 tonnes of recyclable materials were diverted from landfill, and 74,064 litres of oil were recycled. The President and CEO of Rotana, Omer Kaddouri, said, “Rotana is focused on developing innovative solutions to reduce our environmental impact and operating costs. We believe protecting the environment is everybody’s responsibility, and at Rotana our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our own wide-ranging green initiatives to engaging and educating various stakeholders – including guests at our properties – on sustainability topics in order to bring about awareness and inspire action.”
Alila Jabal Akhdar TAKE THE LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Alila Jabal Akhdar the LEED Silver Certification in the Building Design and Construction rating system for New Construction. Developed by the Oman Tourism Development Company SAOC (Omran), Alila Jabal Akhdar is the first development to be presented with the prestigious international LEED certification in Oman and portrays a milestone in terms of achievement for the development of infrastructure in the Sultanate. In order to receive such an esteemed honour, a building project must meet various requirements such as sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, as well as material resources. The President of Alila Hotels & Resorts, Mark Edleson, said, “a sound environment is essential to social wellbeing and business sustainability. We are proud to be partnering with Omran in this meaningful quest. At Alila, our vision is to integrate natural conservation, community and commerce, hence our green efforts extend to and beyond the operational aspects so that we can make a positive impact on the community – economically, socially and culturally.”
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Samsung THE SMALLPRINT
St Patrick’s GOING GREEN
Samsung Electronics have announced that the brand has received the prestigious Monochrome Printer/MFP Line of the Year Award for the second time in a row. The monochrome printers and MFPs were recognised for their superior performance, energy efficiency, eco-friendliness and ease of use. Samsung has also been named winner of five other awards for Outstanding Achievement at the Buyer’s Laboratory (BLI) Winter Awards. Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Sales for Printing Solutions at Samsung Electronics, David SW Song said, “Samsung has been working relentlessly to develop printing solutions that not only increase productivity and efficiency, but are also cost effective for our consumers. We are delighted and honoured that BLI has recognised our efforts in creating innovative products that will meet and exceed the high expectations of our consumers and enterprise customers.”
For the first time in Lebanon’s history, the country has joined forces with Ireland’s green initiative. To illustrate the friendship and unity with Ireland, Nejmeh Square, or Place de l’Etoile, has been flooded with a bright emerald green light. The Square is nestled in the heart of the city and is the perfect location to portray the significance of Lebanon’s solidarity with Ireland. The concept came about under the organisation of the Irish Consulate in Beirut and the Irish Embassy in Cairo, in partnership with the Mayor of Beirut. It celebrates the Irish peacekeepers and all they did to protect Lebanon while serving with UNIFIL, and the part they played in restoring peace and stability within in the country. Ireland’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Isolde Moylan, commented, “more than with any other country in this region, the bonds of solidarity and friendship between Ireland and Lebanon are particularly deep and significant, forged as they were in a time of conflict, danger, trauma and suffering in Lebanon and through the service and sacrifice of Irish peacekeepers, 47 of whom gave their lives to this cause and whom we remember tonight.”
Abu Dhabi POWER PLANTING
The Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Abu Dhabi have organised a green initiative under the theme “Together… we plant the UAE.” It is hoped that the movement will encourage the planting of trees, protection of the environment and enlarging the green areas found within the open spaces of the Directorate. This also marks the Directorate’s celebration of the 35th Plantation Week, an event that celebrates greenery every year. A tree was planted in front of the Directorate’s Headquarters by Colonel Salim Ali Al Qattam Al Zaabi, Director General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Abu Dhabi. He was accompanied by other heads of departments and chiefs of sections while doing so. Colonel Al Zaabi said, “the higher leadership of the UAW is keen to expand the green areas across the UAE by planting more trees. The annual celebrations for Plantation Week and the ever-expanding green oases that are transforming our desert reflect this commitment.” 98
SOCIETY HIGHLIGHTS
DERMA [PRO]
WHAT Dermapro introduces new Clinics, Detox & Wellness Centre WHEN 20th February WHERE Dermapro Clinics, Detox and Wellness Centre, Saifi WHY Dermapro has opened its highly anticipated Clinics, Detox and Wellness centre, in Saifi. Established in 2001, the company anticipated a probable change in the cosmetics industry, with people turning to non-surgical solutions and microsurgery in favour of going under the knife. The centre offers an array of detox, fitness and wellbeing solutions – incorporating bespoke elements into their services. Dr Sonia Rahbani, the founder of Dermapro, said, “we at Dermapro are committed to the care and improvement of human life. We strive to deliver a complete range of high quality medical and wellness solutions to individuals of all ages because we understand the complex interactions of body, mind and soul as one.”
International Women’s Day
TAKE A STAND
WHAT Protest for International Women’s Day 2015 WHEN 8th March WHERE Times Square, NYC WHY On the 8th March, 2015 and as ambassadors for JGROUP, Mr. Imad Jomaa and Mrs. Bushra Khayat Jomaa took to the streets of New York City to take a stand for women around the world. Mr. Jomaa, the founder of JGROUP and his wife, Mrs. Khayat Jomaa joined a march in Times Square to both celebrate and highlight the importance of International Women’s Day along with thousands of others. Women across the globe are being subjected to emotional and physical abuse - often at the hands of those who have the power to defend and protect them, and this protest brought this to the world’s attention. With colorful flags and banners that read messages of both hope and defiance, the protest saw the unity of people all fighting for the rights of women everywhere.