EU launches Fa’ela, a new initiative to boost women participation

The European Union’s new women empowerment project Fa’ela (فاعلة or “active”) aims to enhance the inclusion of women in Libya’s social, political and economic life. In 2011, women had played an influential role in the popular protest of the Libyan uprising. Yet their participation in public life, and the space for women to contribute to public decision making and in particular the peace process and political dialogue remains limited. For instance, out of 75 members of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), 17 are women and female ministers account for less than 6% of the Libyan government. Little over one third of women are currently active in the labour market.

The €1.1 million EU project Fa’ela will bring together women leaders and civil society organisations with women across the country to establish a network of CSOs, private sector representatives and decision-makers to advocate for the inclusion of women in leadership positions. Fa’ela will support civil society organisations and run training and capacity building initiatives for prospective women activists.

During the launch event on 25 February 2021, Sandra Goffin, Head of Operations at the Delegation of the European Union to Libya, underlined that “women, particularly activists, with political, human rights and civil society backgrounds, can play an instrumental role in the peace process, in particular in dialogue on reconciliation and accountability. The Berlin Conference Conclusions encourage the full, effective and meaningful participation of women and youth in all activities relating to Libya’s democratic transition, conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The EU will spare no effort in supporting women’s empowerment in Libya.”

Fa’ela will be implemented by Democracy Reporting International and the Jusoor Centre for Studies and Development.