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STORY: UN / WOMEN PEACE AND SECURITY
TRT: 02:56
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 20 AUGUST 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, United Nations Headquarters
20 AUGUST 2024, NEW YORK CITY
2. Pan left, ambassadors walk in
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Imaran Kanu, Sierra Leone Ambassador to the UN:
“We express our grave concern about the lack of Libyan women's full, equal and meaningful participation in shaping the future of their country. There have been no women in the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) on security arrangement, or the 6+6 Libyan Joint Committee for preparing electoral laws, and women representation has been low in national dialogs, Parliament and Government.”
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
4. Closeup, various shots of journalists taking notes
20 AUGUST 2024, NEW YORK CITY
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Imaran Kanu, Sierra Leone Ambassador to the UN:
“While the country's national elections were postponed, the provisions for a 30 percent quota for women, as agreed by the Libyan Political Dialog Forum roadmap, or 25 percent set in the draft of Libyan constitution risk being ignored, as the latest approved electoral law allocate six seats to women out of the 90 seats, composing the future Libyan Senate. We request the UN to continue reporting on women's representation in every relevant committee and institution and to remind all parties, that the Security Council has urged Libyan institutions and authorities to ensure the full equal, effective, meaningful and safe participation of women at all levels, including in leadership positions and all stages of decision making, relating to inclusive political processes, democratic transition, reconciliation efforts, conflict resolution and peace building. We also condemn the reprisals against Libyan women participating in public and political life and call on Libyan authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.”
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
8. Med shot, camera operator taking videos
20 AUGUST 2024, NEW YORK CITY
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Imaran Kanu, Sierra Leone Ambassador to the UN:
“Most survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, including those who become pregnant, have limited access to justice and essential services. The legal framework remains discriminatory, and a draft floor on the protection of women and girls against all forms of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, has not been adopted. Finally, we urge Libyan authorities to expedite the adoption of legislation to address trafficking and violence against women and girls, fight against impunity of the perpetrators and hold them accountable.”
8. Wide shot, the ambassadors leaving
The United Nations Security Council today (20 Aug) reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of women empowerment, peace, and security, expressing “grave concern” over the ongoing exclusion of Libyan women from critical national decision-making processes.
The Security Council signatories of the statement of Shared Commitments for the principles of Women, Peace, and Security (WSP) Ecuador, France, Guyana, Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, highlighted the "lack of Libyan women's full, equal and meaningful participation in shaping the future of their country." The statement pointed out that no women have been included in the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission on security arrangements, nor in the 6+6 Libyan Joint Committee for preparing electoral laws.
"Women's representation remains low in national dialogues, Parliament, and Government," the council noted, adding that despite provisions for a 30 percent quota for women, as agreed in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum Roadmap, or 25 percent as set in the draft Libyan constitution, these measures risk being ignored. The council expressed particular concern over the latest electoral law, which allocates just six seats to women out of the 90 seats in the future Libyan Senate.
The Security Council called on the UN to continue reporting on women's representation in all relevant committees and institutions, urging Libyan authorities to ensure the "full, equal, effective, meaningful, and safe participation of women at all levels." This includes leadership positions and all stages of decision-making related to inclusive political processes, democratic transition, reconciliation efforts, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.
The council condemned reprisals against Libyan women participating in public and political life, calling on Libyan authorities to hold perpetrators accountable. The council also urged the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to strengthen its response to these issues within its mandate.
"We raise our alarm about the shrinking civic space, including civil society organizations advancing women's rights and gender equality," the statement read, highlighting stricter requirements for registration, gender-based violence, and reports of harassment targeting women human rights defenders.
The Security Council expressed concern over online harassment and violence against women, noting its potential to escalate into physical violence, which can impact women's ability to participate in politics, civic life, and media in Libya.
"We have received with concern the UN reports about attempts to frame universally accepted terms like gender as a threat to Libya's society and values," the statement continued, warning that such rhetoric endangers the work of all actors working on gender equality and women's protection and participation.
The Security Council also emphasized the disproportionate impact of Libya's anti-cybercrime law on women human rights defenders and condemned ongoing human rights violations against women and girls, particularly migrant women in detention centers, displacement facilities, and those subjected to trafficking.
"Most survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, including those who become pregnant, have limited access to justice and essential services," the council said, urging Libyan authorities to expedite the adoption of legislation addressing trafficking and violence against women and girls and to fight against the impunity of perpetrators.
The council's statement concluded with a call for the Libyan government to prioritize the protection and empowerment of women and girls as a crucial element for achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.
