During the first day of the conference, Libyan women discussed ideas they put forward and declared the main objective of their action plan, as they stated:
“Strengthen the role of Libyan women in peace-building and social peace”.
In the opening statement of UNSMIL, Ms. Magda Elsanousi, the head of the Women’s Empowerment Section, said:
“Today, Libya is building on the momentum of changes, and women should capture these momentums to develop strong and united foundation to become ‘peace makers’. They advocate for peace that is more than an absence of war. They advocate for a transformation of their country into a democracy based on social justice and equality”.
Addressing the Libyan women during the opening session, Mr. Mohammad Naciri, UN Women’s Regional Director for Arab States, said:
“Your strength in the face of the difficult conditions experienced by the women of Libya in light of the conflict and the depth of the crisis is an assertion that women’s participation in determining their future is a non-negotiable right ... It is an inspiration for all of us, to exert more efforts to support Arab women in communities that suffer similar conditions”.
Libyan women participants continue to work hard in preparing for their action plan for peace to present it to the international community on 10 November at the Palais des Nations. A press conference for Libyan women will follow.
(Source: UNSMIL)