The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) will launch its annual Female Pioneers (Ra’idat) programme on Wednesday, an initiative aimed at empowering Libyan women and strengthening their participation in public life, leadership and decision-making across different sectors.
The programme is scheduled to begin on Wednesday as part of UNSMIL’s broader efforts to promote women’s leadership and increase their involvement in public life, according to the Libyan News Agency.
Ra’idat is designed for emerging Libyan women leaders and will feature a series of activities, discussions and capacity-building events throughout its annual cycle. The initiative forms part of the UN mission’s ongoing commitment to advancing women’s participation in Libya’s political and development processes.
The announcement follows previous UNSMIL initiatives encouraging young Libyan women to engage in public affairs and contribute to national dialogue.
The United Nations has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Libya’s efforts to promote gender equality and strengthen partnerships that contribute to sustainable development and more inclusive state institutions.
In May, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Ulrika Richardson, met Randa Gharib, Minister of State for Women’s Affairs in the Government of National Unity, to discuss cooperation on women’s empowerment initiatives.
During the meeting, Gharib said her ministry’s priorities include rebuilding confidence and strengthening the role of Libyan women through a comprehensive strategy centred on three pillars: justice and representation, economic empowerment, and social protection.
She stressed that both national and international efforts should deliver measurable results that improve the lives of Libyan women and reinforce their contribution to the country’s development and long-term stability.
The Ra’idat programme reflects continuing international efforts to encourage greater female participation in leadership and decision-making as Libya seeks broader political, economic and institutional reforms.