The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Libya, Hanna Tetteh, emphasized the need for the Libyan state to provide legal and civil protection for women, to enable them to achieve their aspirations and contribute effectively to the development of their country.
This came in response to a question about women’s issues in Libya, during an interview with the United Nations’ official website. The UN Mission reposted an excerpt of the interview on Saturday to mark Libya’s National Women’s Day.
Tetteh remarked that “most African countries are male-dominated societies, and Libya is no exception,” noting that society grants privileges to men at the expense of women. “This is the reality we are dealing with and trying to address,” she said.
The UN envoy stressed the importance of the Libyan state providing legal and civil protections for women, enabling half of its population to achieve their ambitions and contribute effectively to the country’s development. She added, “We know that sometimes, when we advocate for these issues, we face resistance based on religious and cultural values.”
She emphasized that empowering women does not come at the expense of the values the society holds dear; rather, it supports what makes the society more cohesive, according to her.
Tetteh said that the UN Mission continues to advocate for and support this cause, highlighting the work on a draft law to prevent violence against women, which was prepared with support from the UN Mission and submitted to the House of Representatives. She expressed hope that it would eventually be adopted, describing it as “an important tool for protecting women exposed to violence and abuse.”
