Libyan women's pioneering role lauded on International Women's Day
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan officials as well as regional and international organisations on on Tuesday paid tribute to Libyan women for their pioneering role in the society as the North African country marked International Women's Day.
Various speakers demanded greater interest in their empowerment while rejecting acts of violence against them.
The day was marked under the theme: "Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Future", focusing on acts of courage and determination by women and girls around the world to confront entrenched patterns of discrimination and segregation.
The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Manfi, said in a tweet that he relies on Libyan women, praising their role in establishing a modern state and building a society of justice and prosperity.
"To you, all the best and blessings for your international day, on the occasion of International Women's Day," the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdelhamid Al-Dbaiba, tweeted.
In the same context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the GNU, Najla Al-Mangouch, said: "Women are fundamental partners without whom no sustainable and constructive human development could be achieved.
She tweeted: "International Women's Day 2022 comes at a time of difficult global circumstances, with escalating military and political conflicts and economic crisis. On your day, I salute you with all my affection and gratitude for the patient and strong women of my country, Libya."
For her part, the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Libya, Ms. Stephanie Williams, reaffirmed the need to celebrate all women who are represented in various roles and who are the backbone of their societies.
"I am thinking in particular of the courageous women of Libya who serve as role models and have been at the forefront of the quest for justice, reconciliation, the protection of human rights and the realisation of all political rights, to ensure that women are everywhere decisions are made."
She added: "I remain firmly committed to supporting the crucial role of Libyan women in peacemaking and peacebuilding and their full participation and involvement in the political life and decision-making of the country.
On Tuesday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) stressed the need to put an end to acts of violence, intimidation and arbitrary detention against women in general, in particular against women human rights defenders, activists, journalists and politicians.
In a statement, UNSMIL recalled that almost three years have passed since the abduction of the elected member of Parliament, Siham Sergeiwa, "a transgression that has had a chilling effect on the work of women activists in Libya:.
The United Nations reiterated the call for her immediate release and disclosure of her whereabouts, stressing that silencing the voices of women in decision-making positions and human rights activists will not be tolerated.
UNSMIL said 2021 saw an increase in the participation of women in the preparations for national elections, with the percentage of women reaching 44% of newly registered voters and 758 women candidates in the parliamentary elections.
It added that for the first time in the country's history, two women were among the candidates for the presidency, while a large number of women have joined political parties.
The statement considers this a "vital and wonderful indicator" of the active participation of women in the political arena.
However, the participation of women in decision-making positions and their integration in economic, political and social life is still low.
-0- PANA BY/IS/BBA/MA 8March2022
