Libya prioritizes women's empowerment: Plan to activate support offices and monitor challenges

Written by: Mohammed Omran

The Minister of State for Women's Affairs held a meeting in Libyan government Intisar Aboud, at the Cabinet Office, held an expanded meeting that included the offices of support and empowerment for women in various ministries, sectors and bodies, in the presence of Municipal Council member Khairiya Al-Farjani, and the head of the Women’s Union in Benghazi and its suburbs, Nadia Al-Bakoush, in addition to a number of directors of departments and offices concerned with women’s affairs, family and community development.

The Libyan government is exploring ways to enhance women's empowerment and activate support offices in institutions and ministries.

The meeting was attended by the Director of the Department of the Elderly and Disabled at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Dr. Laila Al-Awjali, the Director of the Department of Family and Child Development, Anda Al-Faydi, the Director of the Women’s Office at the Municipality of Benghazi, Hadeel Al-Oraibi, the Director of the Women’s Office at the Ministry of Civil Service, Ahlam Al-Tarhouni, the Director of the Women’s Office at the Libyan Media Foundation, Sumaya Al-Bu’aishi, the Director of the Electoral Administration Office – Benghazi, Professor Hanan Al-Kawafi, in addition to the Director of the Planning and Training Department at the Green Mountain Academy, Najwa Khalil, the Director of the Women’s Office at Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Dr. Fawz Idris, the Director of the Women’s Office at Tobruk University, Shaima Abdul-Qadir, the Director of the Women’s Office at the General Authority for Equestrianism, Theater and Arts, Fatima Najm, the Director of the Women’s Affairs Department at the National Authority for Sheikhs and Notables of Libya, Dr. Amal Buqshata, and the Director of the Women’s Office at the Libya Dignity Party, Mona Shabeek.

Libya places women's empowerment at the top of its priorities

At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister praised the efforts made by the women’s support and empowerment offices in various institutions, and their active role in promoting women’s participation and empowerment at all levels.

In her speech, she affirmed that the ministry will work during the next phase to activate women’s offices in various ministries, sectors and bodies, in order to enhance their institutional role and contribute to raising the level of performance and coordination among relevant parties.

She also indicated that the ministry intends to conduct a study and survey in the coming period, with the aim of understanding the gaps, challenges and obstacles facing working women, and working on developing solutions and remedies that contribute to supporting and empowering them within the work environment.

During the meeting, a detailed presentation was given by the Minister’s Office Director, Ms. Manal Kamel, on the most prominent works and programs accomplished by the Ministry during the past period, in addition to reviewing the work plan and programs planned for implementation in the coming days, which contributes to strengthening cooperation and intensifying efforts between the various relevant parties to achieve common goals in supporting and empowering women and serving the community.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the attendees came out with a number of recommendations that the Ministry will work to implement during the next phase, which aim to strengthen the role of women’s support and empowerment offices, and develop mechanisms for joint work between institutions, in order to achieve the Ministry’s vision of supporting and empowering Libyan women in various fields.