HINDIYA EL-UŞEYBÎ

Libya- Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of the State of Libya, appointed five women as ministers. Najla Mangouch is now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Halima Ibrahim Abderrahmane is the Ministry of Justice, Wafaa Abou Bakr Muhammad Al-Kilani is the Ministry of Social Affairs, Mabrouka Tuffi Othman Aoki is the Ministry of Culture and Houria Khalifa Miloud al-Turman is the Minister of Women’s Affairs. Although this step may seem a small step, it is an important step towards inclusion of women in the country's politics.

“There is no women’s participation in decision-making positions”

Speaking about the role of women in forming governments, Abeer Amneina, head of the Washm Women’s Studies Center, told us that there is no women’s participation in decision-making, positions, forming governments, and the executive or legislative positions. She stressed the role of NGOs in reforming the legal system in the country, which guarantees women’s participation in decision-making positions.

“NGOs should launch awareness-raising campaigns”

Basma El-Werfally, president of the Meras Organization for Development, thinks that if women’s political participation is strengthened, they are able to participate significantly in the formation of Libyan governments and the advancement of the government economically, the enactment of laws that highlight the role of women. Speaking about the role of NGOs in promoting women’s participation in decision-making positions, she said, “The NGOs have an important role in promoting women’s participation in decision-making positions by launching awareness raising campaigns and activities. They should provide more opportunities for women in various organizations and push the government to enact laws protecting women’s political participation.”

“Women’s political participation should be strengthened”

Journalist Nesma Al-Sharif pointed to the political, economic and social roles of women in the country. “Our society should fulfill its responsibilities in sending girls to school. Stating that Libyan women are now able to participate in the country's economic development by starting small and medium-size enterprises that contribute to the economy of the country. “Women’s political participation should be strengthened to develop our country,” she said.