The ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Libya and the ambassadors of EU member states accredited to Libya on Friday reaffirmed in a statement their support for “a full and meaningful inclusion and participation of women in the peace process” in the country.
The statement, which also condemned all forms of violence against women and girls, was made at the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.
Women in Libya have been targeted, threatened, abducted, sexually violated, and killed, the statement said, estimating that nearly 200,000 girls and women have been displaced, almost 18,000 women and girls are registered as refugees and asylum seekers, and thousands of female migrants remain under permanent threat of abuse.
Despite efforts of women activists for peace and dialogue in Libya since 2011, women have remained largely excluded from the political arena and truly meaningful participation in the peace negotiations, and widespread gender-based violence continues to undermine the full exercise of their rights, the statement added.
“Women must be included as actors and not only be seen as victims. The 23 October ceasefire agreement is an opportunity for Libya to give women their rightful place as peacebuilders to reach a more sustainable peace,” the statement said.
Libya has been suffering escalating violence and political instability ever since the ouster and killing of its former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The UN Support Mission in Libya has been making efforts to bring together Libyan parties for dialogue to end the country’s crisis
