How a consulate in Lebanon became feared by the women it was meant to help

Editor’s Note: CNN is committed to covering gender inequality wherever it occurs in the world. “For many years, we’ve received reports from Kenyan women about their experiences in facing exploitation from the consul and the consulate,” said a caseworker leading the probe into the consulate at ARM. Commenting on Gloria’s case, the Beirut assistant consul Jaber claimed that the Kenyan domestic worker was “screaming” in the consulate after being denied a refund for money which had already paid at the country’s immigration services, allowing for her repatriation. consularcorps.com/CNN Photo Illustration/Gabrielle Smith Jaber said that Kenyan women sometimes “ask the consul to keep the money in the consulate.” “They come and they have their salaries and they don’t want to send it back home so ask the consul to keep the money in the consulate,” said Jaber. “We call for … the removal of Honorary Consul Mr. Sayed El Chalouhi from his post and replacement with a diplomatic representative who will honestly, effectively, and respectfully represent the needs of Kenyans in Lebanon, specifically migrant domestic workers.” In its response to the letter, dated May 18 and seen by CNN, Kenya’s embassy in Kuwait said the complaints “have been noted and propose that as the lockdown is lifted and airports resume operations, the Ambassador and her team will visit Lebanon and hold a meeting with the Kenya community to resolve some of the issues.” In a statement to CNN, Kenya’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Halima Mohamud said: “The Embassy is in constant communication with the Consulate in Beirut as well as Kenyans in Lebanon.