The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has voiced its support for Libyan women, acknowledging their resilience and pivotal role in the nation’s development. UN Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily highlighted the importance of women’s significant involvement in Libya’s political, economic, and reconciliation efforts, noting their contribution as essential for sustainable peace and development.
Despite the recognition of their role, Libyan women face substantial obstacles, exacerbated by economic difficulties, inflation, and insecurity. These challenges hinder their participation in the workforce and decision-making positions. Bathily pointed out the inadequacy of electoral laws to ensure women’s meaningful political representation, particularly in the Senate, where they hold only a small fraction of seats.
The labor force participation rate for women is significantly lower than that for men, and women encounter higher unemployment rates and substantial wage disparities. Bathily called on Libyan stakeholders to enhance support for women, advocating for equitable opportunities and the allocation of resources to meet their needs.
Bathily emphasized that investing in women is crucial for Libya’s future prosperity and stressed the need for unified, legitimate institutions that reflect the aspirations of both women and men. He reiterated UNSMIL’s commitment to elections as a pathway to achieve this aim, marking International Women’s Day as a call to action for building a more inclusive and prosperous Libya.
