More than 50 women from civil society, academia and ministries attended the event held at the Presidency Council building in Tripoli on May 8th.

TRIPOLI, Libya, May 9, 2017/APO/ --

Under the auspices of the State Minister of Women’s Affairs and Community Development, Ms. Asma Al Usta, UNSMIL launched a study on Libyan Women in Leadership. The study showcases the representation of Libyan women in different formal institutions, revealing the low percentages of women in decision-making positions and provides recommendations towards enhancing female leadership.

More than 50 women from civil society, academia and ministries attended the event held at the Presidency Council building in Tripoli on May 8th. In her opening speech, Minister Al Usta welcomed the study and efforts made by UNSMIL to promote the inclusion of Libyan women in leadership positions. She urged Libyan women to push for the appointment of a head of the Women’s Support and Empowerment Unit, established in September 2016, within the Presidency Council.

“I’m privileged to be with Libyan women here today. Women, around the world, find themselves having to juggle their work with their roles as wives, mothers and daughter,” said Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Deputy Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and Humanitarian Coordinator Maria do Valle Ribeiro. “The system is not set up to support them. Promoting women’s leadership requires changing the perception of men in the workplace and in the family.”

The participants agree to hold monthly meeting to discuss and advance women’s issues and concerns.

Distributed by APO on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).