The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) marked International Youth Day with the graduation of 34 young women from the second class of the “Raedat” leadership and advocacy training program.
The ceremony, attended by UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh, brought together participants from across Libya to showcase their year-long work on youth empowerment initiatives.
Over the past 12 months, the participants received intensive training in leadership, communication, and civic engagement, supported by mentoring from experienced professionals.
The program concluded with seven group presentations outlining public campaigns designed to boost youth participation in Libya’s social, economic, and political life. These final projects were presented to an audience of families, mentors, UN staff, and members of the diplomatic community.
In her address, Tetteh highlighted the resilience and ambition of Libyan women but also spoke candidly about the significant challenges they face.
She pointed to cultural norms, political obstacles, and family pressures that often hinder women from taking on leadership roles, and warned that, in some cases, women still encounter violence for trying to participate in public life.
“These barriers must be broken,” Tetteh said. “Libya cannot achieve lasting stability or sustainable development without women’s voices being heard in every sphere.”
The “Raedat” program, part of the UN’s wider support for gender equality in Libya, is designed to equip young women with the skills and confidence to lead change in their communities.
Organizers hope that by fostering a new generation of female leaders, the program will help shift societal attitudes, increase women’s representation, and contribute to building a more inclusive and peaceful Libya.
