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Libya – Women Have a Very Important Role in the Libyan Peace Process, Says UN Envoy
About 250 Libyan women, who gathered in the capital
Tripoli, listen to a briefing by Special Representative and Head of the UN
Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Bernardino León. Photo: UNSMIL
9 April 2015 – Libyan women have a crucial role to play
in resolving the crisis in their country, a senior United Nations official said
in an address to 250 Libyan women gathered in Tripoli, at a dialogue aimed at
including women from all walks of life in the political process.
“We count on Libya women, who were active during the 17
February revolution, to continue to advocate for peaceful solution … We count
on you to spread the culture of peace in your communities and to talk and
engage with all who have a role to play in brining stability to Libya,” said
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Bernardino León, via
Skype on Saturday.
Mr. León briefed the audience about the progress of the
ongoing political dialogue and answered questions regarding the ceasefire,
timeframe for agreement and addressed concerns about spoilers seeking to derail
the process.
He also stressed that efforts to bring peace to Libya
must continue regardless of the obstacles, adding that quick solutions were
necessary due to the humanitarian and economic difficulties the country is
facing and the increasing terrorist attacks by Daesh also known as the Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Libyans, particularly women, have paid and continue to
pay a high price in the North African country’s armed conflict, said Mr. León,
adding that the role of women in pushing for the dialogue process is crucial,
as it is also crucial in ensuring the implementation of any political agreement
resulting from these talks. Women must get involved in talks at the
municipality and tribal level. “Women have a very important role in following
up on the political process and in participating in the new unity government,”
the Special Representative said, adding that Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon has stressed the importance of women’s participation in the
transitional process.
The dialogue was facilitated by the UN Support Mission in
Libya (UNSMIL) in collaboration
with various Libyan women groups. Mr. Leon acknowledged the role of the two
women participants in the political dialogue, Ms. Nehad Meiteeg and Ms. Naima
Jebril, for their efforts to reconcile the differences among the other
participants. More specifically, he commended their communication with and
briefings to civil society and women’s groups at gatherings in Tunisia and
Jordan in recent weeks in support of the dialogue were of tremendous
importance.