Top UN official in Libya urges parties to promote status of women
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Libya, Hanna Tetteh, has called on all Libyan parties to take decisive steps to advance the status of women and girls, guarantee their rights and give them equal opportunities to contribute to all sectors of the economy and make a positive difference.
"I also urge them to support and empower women by improving their inclusive access to leadership and decision-making positions," Ms. Tetteh said in a statement issued by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Saturday to mark International Women's Day.
She added: “It is important to prioritise opportunities for women, especially young women and girls, to enable them to contribute effectively to peace and development in Libya.”
Ms. Tetteh recalled that Libyan women have a long history of inspiring and significant achievements and contributions to the society saying that today, they continue to make things happen, lead their communities, participate in governance, run for elections despite many challenges and, above all, participate in building their society and their country.
She said Libyan women have demonstrated that the inclusion of women at all levels is essential to sustainable peacebuilding efforts.
"As we mark International Women's Day, I reaffirm UNSMIL's support for the promotion of the rights of Libyan women, their active and safe participation at all levels of society, and their demands for protection and participation.
Ms. Tetteh noted, however, that women in Libya, particularly those involved in the public and political spheres, continue to face significant challenges, as systemic barriers, discrimination and violence continue to prevent them from fully and effectively participating.
The UNSMIL chief also said that the lack of comprehensive legislation protecting women's rights exacerbates these challenges and prevents society from benefiting from their valuable contributions beyond their important role in caring for and supporting their families.
For Ms. Tetteh, the election of Libya's first female mayor by the end of 2024 was a historic achievement, saying that this achievement should serve as a catalyst for further progress and for women to participate in the dialogue on development and progress.
She also stressed that the active participation of women in politics is essential to promoting inclusive and representative governance.
“We know that change is a gradual process and that efforts to improve the status of women around the world continue. This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, a landmark model that supports the rights of women and girls and guides policies and investments in areas such as education, health, peace, media, political participation, economic empowerment and the elimination of violence against women and girls,” the UN official said.
She added that respect for these rights translates into greater opportunities for women to contribute to the development and prosperity of society as a whole.
-0- PANA BY/IS/MA 9March2025
