Women in Libya

The overall status of women in Libya has undergone significant changes and progress over the years. The Gadaffi government has made emancipation effort, with the empowerment of women being a central aspect of the 1969 revolution. The same government has yet been held responsible for various human rights violations, including on women. The condition of women in society has improved through policies such as equal pay for equal work, universal healthcare, and right to education. Women have also gained the right to vote, run for political office, and participate in national institutions. However, cultural biases against women in the workplace and resistance to change from more traditional sectors of society have been obstacles to process. Moreover, the political upheaval of the 2011 revolution has led to both gains and setbacks for women's rights. Nonetheless, the continued involvement and engagement of women in public life and government have emphasized the importance of female emancipation for the progress and development of Libya as a whole.