Libya’s Gender Observatory has condemned all forms of violence faced by Libyan women, warning that physical, verbal, and online abuse continue to leave women “vulnerable and unprotected” across the country.
In a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the observatory stressed that “weaponised sexual violence” is considered a tool of war, adding that the suffering endured by many Libyan women reaches the level of “crimes against humanity.”
UN Day Highlights Global Crisis of Violence Against Women
Every year on 25 November, the world marks the UN-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The annual observance, established in 1999, draws attention to one of the most serious human rights violations affecting women in all societies.
The day aims to raise awareness of the scale of gender-based violence, its social and economic consequences, and the urgent need for stronger laws and national policies that guarantee protection, justice, and access to psychological and social support for survivors.
The commemoration is accompanied by the global “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” a campaign involving governments, human rights groups, and international organisations.
A Widespread Crisis Despite Legal Progress
UN reports show that one in three women worldwide experiences some form of violence during her lifetime—an alarming indicator of the persistent scope of the problem despite legislative progress in many countries.
International organisations continue to call for coordinated efforts between governments and civil society to strengthen prevention programmes, improve reporting and protection mechanisms, and expand access to safe shelters for survivors. They also emphasise the need for women’s economic and educational empowerment, identifying it as one of the most effective ways to reduce violence and enhance women’s independence and resilience.