TRIPOLI, Libya, March 9th, 2022 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Now is International Women's Day, with the theme "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow," highlighting the acts of courage and resolve of women and girls around the world in challenging entrenched patterns of discrimination and inequality wherever they exist.
In 2021, we observed an increase in the participation of Libyan women in the framework of national election preparations, with 44 percent of new registered voters and 758 parliamentary candidates being women. For the first time in the country's history, two women ran for president, and a sizable number of Libyan women joined political parties. These are lively and impressive evidence of Libyan women actively participating in the political arena. The United Nations in Libya shares women's aspirations for full inclusion, political participation, and equality.
The participation of Libyan women in decision-making positions and their inclusion in economic, political and social life remains low. The United Nations joins the Libyan women in calling for ensuring that their rights, including those stipulated in the Libyan Constitution, are translated into effective legislation that guarantees meaningful participation of women in the country’s civic and political life.
Violence, intimidation, and arbitrary detention against women in general as well as human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and women politicians in Libya must cease. Almost three years have passed since the abduction of House of Representatives elected member Seham Sergewa, a transgression which had a chilling impact on the work of women activists in Libya. The United Nations reiterates the call for her immediate release and the disclosure of her whereabouts and continues to stress that silencing the voices of women in decision-making positions and human rights activists will not be tolerated.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 5 on women’s social, economic, and political empowerment, are an integral part of sustainable development. The United Nations highlights the need for women’s full and equal participation and leadership in the sustainable and climate-sensitive management of Libya’s natural resources. In line with this year’s theme, we applaud the efforts of women in Libya at the forefront of action against climate change to create a sustainable future for all.
The United Nations in Libya reiterates its full commitment to work with all Libyans to advance the meaningful participation of women and their crucial role at all decision-making levels and the full integration of their perspectives in the three intra-Libyan dialogue tracks (political, security, and economic.
