TRIPOLI – One hundred and twenty-five young women joined the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, on Wednesday for an online discussion focused on the importance of including youth and women in the political process in Libya. 

The discussion was one of a series of events and activities during the week with youth from across Libya to mark International Youth Day on 12 August 2025. 

“All women should have the opportunity to participate in the governance of their country,” said SRSG Tetteh. “Young women are an important part of the conversation and legislators are making decisions about your future and you should be involved.” 

“I am pleased that UNSMIL has given us the opportunity to raise our voices and support Libyan women,” said one participant, adding that they rarely get the chance to be heard. Agreeing, other participants highlighted that Libya had a patriarchal society with very few women in positions of power. 

“We have many women who are capable and should be included in leading Libya,” said another participant, asking how UNSMIL would support women to build the skills to protect women who want to engage in the political process.  

Acknowledging the societal and cultural challenges faced by women, young and old, across Libya, SRSG Tetteh noted the extra effort women have to go to be involved in the process and be heard. “It is precisely because UNSMIL knows how hard that is, that we are doing specific activities to target young women to give you voices and ensure you are heard,” she said adding that the Mission remains committed to ensuring the role for women in the political process. 

Participants stressed the need for a security situation which was conducive to elections, adding that this currently doesn’t exist and women in particular were targeted when they tried to engage. “There can be no elections until we have security and stability,” said one participant, “it is impossible with the armed groups and criminal gangs. We need elections under a unified army.” 

Participants put over 30 questions to SRSG Tetteh asking her about security issues, regional and international challenges, the roadmap plan and how they could better engage in the process going forward. 

The SRSG highlighted that the UN in Libya had developed the Ra’idat programme to support building the skills of young women. While the programme only takes 35 young women annually, it is looking to offer other support to the hundreds of young women applying to be on it, and who are unsuccessful each year. 

“You have a right to participation, leadership and governance,” said SRSG Tetteh. “Change in any society is not an event it is a process, we always have to keep working on it to improve it. We have to continue to work together to find a solution and a better way forward.”