Huriya Al-Tormal, Libya’s Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, recently participated in a Wilton Park conference in the United Kingdom, focusing on strengthening women’s political participation and inclusion in North Africa. She was joined by Rabab Halb, Director of Women’s Affairs at Libya’s High National Elections Commission, along with government officials, international experts, and representatives from organizations dedicated to women’s rights and political empowerment.
The conference provided a platform to explore the diverse challenges women encounter in North Africa’s political landscape and to showcase best practices for increasing their involvement in decision-making. Discussions focused on key areas, including:
- The essential role of political will in supporting women’s advancement to leadership positions.
- Recognizing economic independence as fundamental to women’s political engagement.
- Addressing and eliminating violence against women, particularly in the political and social spheres.
- Highlighting the transformative power of education and training in empowering women across all sectors.
Minister Al-Tormal emphasized that women’s political empowerment is not merely a local or regional issue, but a global priority linked to achieving sustainable development. She stressed that nations prioritizing women’s active participation in decision-making experience higher rates of growth and stability. The Minister affirmed Libya’s ongoing progress in strengthening women’s role in politics and underscored the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) commitment to developing policies that guarantee women’s empowerment, foster genuine gender partnership, and ensure equal opportunities.
Minister Al-Tormal also highlighted the GNU’s achievements in supporting women, notably through appointments to high-level leadership positions. These appointments demonstrate the government’s dedication to amplifying women’s voices in policy formulation and ensuring their equitable representation within political institutions.
The Minister expressed her gratitude for the impactful work of international organizations, such as the United Nations and the European Union, in advancing Libyan women’s engagement in political life. She specifically acknowledged their initiatives and training programs designed to cultivate women’s capabilities and prepare them for future leadership roles.
Furthermore, Minister Al-Tormal emphasized the important role of constructive religious discourse in building more balanced and sustainable societies. She affirmed that Islam when focused on justice and respect for women’s rights, serves as a positive force in promoting women’s rights. She stressed the need for collaboration between governments, religious institutions, and civil society to create an environment conducive to women’s participation in decision-making.
The conference concluded with several key recommendations:
- Enacting legislation that supports women’s representation in legislative bodies and governments.
- Promoting economic initiatives that empower women to achieve financial independence, thereby facilitating their entry into the political arena.
- Addressing and eliminating all forms of violence against women in politics.
- Utilizing the media to raise awareness about the importance of women’s participation in public life.