Libyan PM urges women to contest in elections
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid al-Dbaiba has stressed the important role of women in society and urged them to participate in the political field through elections.
During a meeting on Sunday in Tripoli with Libyan activists and jurists, Mr. Dbaiba urged women to participate in the parliamentary elections to win seats to better defend women.
There is a 20% quota reserved for women in the legislative elections, but this figure has never been attained despite the important role they played during the 17 February revolution that overthrew the former regime of Muammar Gaddafi.
Among those present were the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Najla al-Mangouch, Minister of Social Affairs Wafaa al-Kilani, and Minister of State for Women's Affairs Houriya al-Rimal.
A statement from the Foreign Ministry said those present at the meeting welcomed the fact that the Prime Minister has allowed a number of women to occupy high and sovereign positions for the first time in Libyan history, calling for more representation at different levels and fields.
Furthermore, participants expressed dismay at the discrimination against Libyan women married to foreigners, as well as their children.
They also stressed the need for women to actively participate in national reconciliation, and also for displaced persons to return to their towns.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/MA 15Nov2021
