To accelerate economic progress and women’s empowerment in Libya, it is crucial to include more women in economic decision-making. This was the key takeaway from a panel discussion organized by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya in commemoration of International Women’s Day. Twenty women from the civil society sector took part in the webinar, which featured insights from economic expert Hala Bugaighis of the Jusoor Foundation, as well as representatives from UNSMIL and the United Nations Development Programme.
Bugaighis highlighted the lack of women in senior management positions in key government institutions such as the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, and National Anti-Corruption Commission. She emphasized the need to incorporate the women’s perspective in decision-making processes, as the current approach is dominated by a patriarchal viewpoint.
One of the consequences of this imbalance, Bugaighis noted, is that existing policies do not effectively address the issues faced by Libyan women on the ground. While Libyan law theoretically guarantees women equality and nondiscrimination, there is a lack of clear mechanisms for career advancement and access to justice, particularly in cases related to discrimination and inequality.
Despite legal provisions ensuring equal pay for equal work and granting women the right to own property and access financial services, women in Libya are paid significantly less than men, own only a small percentage of property, and face higher unemployment rates. This systematic discrimination and limited opportunities for women not only hinder individual progress but also impact the overall prosperity and resilience of Libyan society.
Increasing the representation of women in decision-making roles is seen as a key step in addressing these challenges, according to Khadija Elboaishi, an advisor on gender equality for UNDP in Libya. She emphasized the importance of integrating women’s perspectives, priorities, and challenges at all levels of decision-making processes.
The United Nations is committed to promoting gender equality in Libya, with a focus on supporting and empowering women. UNDP allocates a significant portion of its spending to projects aimed at enhancing women’s participation, including initiatives to increase women’s involvement in the technology sector and support women-led businesses.
This emphasis on empowering women aligns with SRSG Abdoulaye Bathily’s call to recognize women as drivers of transformative change in Libya. Women’s meaningful engagement in political, economic, and reconciliation processes is essential for advancing Libya’s development and ensuring the well-being of its society as a whole.
Content distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).