ÎPTÎSAM AXFÎR

Benghazi- Libyan Parliament's New Election Law has decreased the quota for women in the House of Representatives. Law No. 2 of 2021 regarding the election of the House of Representatives was adopted on 5 October 2021 by the House of Representatives. The law includes nine chapters and an attached table concerning the electoral districts and their affiliated centers and the division of seats thereon. The nine chapters include 40 articles. The second chapter of the law, titled “Preliminary Provisions,” includes two articles. The first chapter limits the number of members of parliament to 200. Thus, the quota for women in the House of Representatives has been decreased from 30 percent to 16 percent. Women’s organizations, activists, and human rights defenders react to the decrease in the quota for women.

Social counselor Xeyriya Ferec El-Fercani stated that the decrease in the quota for women is an unfair practice against women. “The adoption of the two laws comes two and a half months before the date set by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum for holding general elections. 16% percent quota for women is a very low percentage compared to the number of women in Libyan society. If the law amendments demanded by women would have passed, women would be equal with men because they would have the right to do so. Despite this marginalization, women keep working hard to take part in decision-making positions. For instance, women hold key posts in ministries; Libya's Foreign Minister is now Najla Mohammed El Mangoush.”

Salwa Saleh, a member of the Civic Democratic Party, also reacts to the decrease in the quota for women. “Women's participation in Libyan politics has a very old history. Women have participated in politics and elections since the reign of the sultan. However, they faced unfair practices during the Gaddafi reign.”

“We don’t accept the decrease in the quota for women”

Salwa Salih emphasized that after the revolution of February 17, 2011, women's political participation was limited by the quota system. “After the adoption of the quota system, the quota for women was 30 percent but now it is decreased to 16 percent. This decrease is a great injustice to Libyan women. Since women make up more than half of the total population of Libya, the percentage of the quota should be increased even more. While we thought 30 percent was very low, they decreased this percentage to 16 percent. We don’t accept the decrease in the quota for women.”

“We expected the quota for women to be 50 percent”

Manar al-Jamali, a professor of Human Development, stated that the issue of the quota system causes problems not only in Libya but also all around the world. “Women make up more than half of the total population of Libya and they take part in many decision-making positions. While we expected the quota for women to be 50 percent, the quota was decreased to 16 percent. I think this is a great and very big injustice against Libyan women.”

“Women’s voices should be visible”

“Women have proven themselves in many areas,” Manar al-Jamali said, “Najla Mohammed El Mangoush is one of these women and she is respected in politics. Women can prove themselves in many areas but they are prevented from proving themselves. Women’s voices should be visible everywhere.