As we mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Violence Against Women and Girls, I take this occasion to reaffirm our support for advancing the rights of Libyan women and girls and ensuring their safe and meaningful participation across all spheres of life. It is an important moment when the world raises its voice against all forms of violence against women and girls. Protecting women’s rights is not only about creating opportunities for participation, but also about dismantling the barriers that seek to silence and exclude them.
Violence is no longer confined to physical spaces. It follows women and girls into their homes, their phones, and their screens. This challenge reflects a broader regional reality: UN Women data from 2021 shows that 60 per cent of women internet users in the Middle East and North Africa experienced online violence, 44 per cent of which has moved offline.[1] For Libyan women, this is not only an issue of online safety—it is a societal one. When women are silenced online, and by extension offline, the whole of society loses voices that are vital for sustainable peace and development in Libya.
Online platforms are persistently misused as tools to harass, threaten, and intimidate women, undermining their intended purpose for connection and expression. Defamation, surveillance, hate speech, and abuse, is deployed to push women out of political and public spheres. Women and girls — especially human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and politicians — encounter heightened threats that are further amplified by intersectional factors like race, ethnicity, and disability. The harm from this online abuse is pervasive, spilling into their daily lives, homes, workplaces, and communities and effectively shrinking civic space by discouraging their engagement.
The United Nations remains fully committed to supporting Libya’s efforts to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against women and girls. To this end, closing legal gaps to align with international best practices is paramount. Specifically, I would like to emphasize the urgency of adopting the draft law on protecting women from violence—a vital piece of legislation crafted by Libyan experts.
I also call on all Libyans to help create a safer digital environment. Let us ensure that it is the positive side of Libya and Libyans that is amplified online—not the negative. Every interaction with a piece of content matters. Before liking, sharing, or commenting on anything, think carefully about the impact it may have: Is it reinforcing a harmful stereotype? What damage could it cause? What may seem like a simple online action can have serious consequences in the real world – both at an individual and societal level.
Women’s safety, dignity, and freedom of expression are universal human rights and a national responsibility. Protecting and empowering Libyan women is central to building a society where all citizens can contribute equally to peace, stability, and the future of this country.