Panafrican News Agency

Libya Electoral Commission holds workshop on violence against women during elections

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libya High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) on Tuesday organised a workshop to raise awareness on violence against women before, during and after elections. 

The virtual workshop was organised with the support of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office and UN Women.

In a statement, UNSMIL said the workshop was attended by the Minister of State for Communications and Political Affairs, Walid al-Lafi, and experts from local and international organisations.

UNSMIL welcomed the participants' recommendations on how to combat violence against women and increase their political participation.

UNSMIL also welcomed the commitment expressed by al-Lafi, who heads the Government's Election Support Committee, to protect and promote women's participation in the upcoming 24 December general elections.

The UNSMIL, UNDP and UN Women electoral support team will continue to work closely with the High National Electoral Commission to increase women's participation in Libya's political life, the statement said.

For its part, the HNEC said the session featured presentations by experts from different local and international organisations.

They included a presentation on factors that increase levels of political violence by Patricia Ellis, a presentation on challenges facing women during elections in Libya by Fathia al-Bakhbakhi, and a presentation by the representative of the Arab Network for Women in Elections Souhair Abidine.

The workshop facilitator, UNDP team member Zizit and the head of the Women's Support Unit at the High National Electoral Commission, Suzan Hamy, made interventions along with a number of other participants.

The Electoral Commission said the session was attended by institutions including the National Council for Public Liberties and Human Rights, the General Union of Libyan Women, the Tunisian Electoral Commission and the Arab Network for Women and Elections, in addition to more than 120 women participants representing civil society concerned with women.

-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/MA 4Aug2021