Representatives of the United Nations in Libya, joined by Libyan ministers and officials, ambassadors, members of the public, and Special Representative of the Secretary General, Hanna Tetteh, celebrated the UN Day and opened a photography exhibition, entitled “Building Our Future Together”, at Eskandar Arts House.The exhibition marks eighty years since the founding of the organization and highlights the UN’s partnership with the people of Libya in advancing peace, stability and sustainable development.  “This exhibition tells the stories of partnership and perseverance: teachers keeping classrooms open during power cuts, engineers restoring water systems, youth cleaning beaches, women entrepreneurs creating livelihoods, and advocates ensuring accessibility for all,” said SRSG Tetteh. She added that the exhibition invites all Libyans, international partners and UN colleagues to work side by side for a common purpose supporting the country’s progress. The UN Day commemorates the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945, marking the formal establishment of the UN. For eighty years, the UN has sought to advance the principles of peace, justice, human rights, and international cooperation. Libya was one of the first nations to be affirmed for independence through the UN system, following resolutions of the General Assembly in 1949.  “Through many initiatives across Libya, including those represented in this photo exhibition, the UN stands with Libyans: connecting, supporting and helping your ideas, knowledge and skills grow. Our measure of success will not be how many barriers we remove together, but how many opportunities we create together,” said SRSG Tetteh in her opening remarks.  The opening ceremony was followed by a round table discussion with youth, women and persons with disabilities from across the country, led by DSRSG Stephanie Koury and DSRSG Ulrika Richardson, alongside representatives from UNDP, UNFPA and UNHCR.  The discussion focused on amplifying the perspectives of Libya’s next generation and highlighting their aspirations for a better future. In her opening remarks, DSRSG/RC Richardson highlighted “Libya stands at a turning point, and Libya’s younger generation has shown that it has the courage, talent and vision to steer the country toward stability and peace”. She added it was “important to build together a Libya where every voice counts and every person contributes to lasting peace and development.”  “The future of any country is constantly being built through dialogue between generations, blending wisdom with new ideas,” added SRSG Tetteh. “To Libya’s young people, ultimately you will lead the way with your dreams, skills, expertise and courage. Your participation is not symbolic, it is essential.” The UN entities working to support a better future in Libya are: FAO, ILO, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, UN Habitat, UN Women, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNMAS, UNODC, UNOPS, UNSMIL, WFP and WHO.  

Tripoli, Libya — For years, Ghalia Sassi worked in the education sector before beginning her civil society engagement, leading community initiatives and acting as an independent political figure focused on women’s issues and advocating for their rights. Through her experience, she observed that while women contribute significantly to state institutions, their presence in decision-making positions remains limited.This reality also appears in UN Women’s 2022 study on Libyan Women in Public Office and Decision-Making, which shows that women represent 46% of the workforce in ministerial institutions, including 70% in education and 63% in health. Despite these high numbers, women still lack representation in leadership roles.After 2011, Ghalia joined one of the newly established political parties to strengthen women’s participation. Yet she faced many challenges, including insufficient legal frameworks that fail to support and empower women, the absence of protection mechanisms, and social resistance that limits women’s political engagement. In this regard, UN Women’s 2023 study on Women’s Political Participation in Libya: Review of Electoral Legislation identifies these same barriers and highlights the importance of civil society engagement and training programmes as key pathways to strengthen women’s participation.Ghalia explains that her experience confirmed that women’s political participation requires more than including their names on electoral lists; it demands economic empowerment, self-confidence, and awareness of rights. She observes that many women withdrew from candidacy due to limited protection and an unsupportive environment.Building on these lessons, Ghalia shifted her focus to women’s economic empowerment. She founded training centres that offered courses in tailoring, computing, and languages, creating broader job opportunities for women. International partners later supported and expanded the project, and other cities replicated the model. For Ghalia, establishing these centres represents a vital step toward strengthening women’s role in economic life. “I can be a strong voice and a helping hand that contributes to improving the situation of women and their living conditions,” she says.In addition to her work on the ground, Ghalia leads several roles within civil society. She serves as executive director of the Libyan Women’s Network for Peace Support and heads the Ma’aha Organization for Women’s Rights. She also led the “With Thirty We Begin” campaign, which aimed to pass legislation enhancing women’s participation in decision-making. The campaign collected 70 signatures from Members of Parliament before the armed conflict in Tripoli in 2019 forced her to halt the effort.Ghalia notes that UN Women Libya supported her journey through capacity-building programmes on women’s rights and mediation, and through training on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which calls for women’s active participation in peacebuilding. “The knowledge I gained through these programmes and trainings gave me the confidence to speak up and link my local work to broader efforts for change,” she says. UN Women conducts research and supports women’s networks and alliances in national dialogues, which strengthen her role as a civil society actor.In 2025, the efforts of Ghalia, civil society organizations, and the “With Thirty We Begin” campaign began to bear fruit. Through her advocacy and continuous engagement, Ghalia contributed to the inclusion of a recommendation for a minimum quota of 30% for women in any upcoming elections in Libya. This development came as a result of her ongoing coordination with members of the Advisory Committee established by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to address political bottlenecks. The committee’s final report included a clear recommendation to adopt this quota within legislative bodies. This achievement represents the outcome of coordinated, cumulative work by women activists and civil society organizations, and marks a significant step toward strengthening women’s representation in Libya’s political life.This year, Ghalia continued her presence in national discussions by joining a meeting that the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) organized in Tripoli, in cooperation with UN Women Libya and UNDP. The meeting focused on developing a Code of Conduct to Prevent Violence Against Women in Elections, and brought together candidates, young women, and women with disabilities. For Ghalia, this participation reflects her ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment and her belief that protecting women from violence forms a prerequisite for fair and inclusive political participation.Reflecting regional recognition of her contribution, she was chosen, with the support of UNSMIL, to represent North Africa at the launch of the “She Stands for Peace” E-Book in Windhoek, Namibia, organized by the African Union and the United Nations. The book highlights twenty African women who have played an active role in building peace within their communities. This recognition stands as a tribute to Ghalia’s ongoing efforts to promote peace and women’s empowerment in Libya and beyond.Ghalia believes that the progress women achieved so far remains fragile. She emphasizes that achieving fair opportunities requires continuous training, awareness-raising, and the development of stronger legal frameworks that enable women to participate effectively at all levels.

Abdelrahman’s StoryAbdelrahman lost everything in the floods. For months, he had nothing. But with courage, determination, and the support of his community, he rebuilt his business and found hope again. He says it was the youth of Derna, standing firm and refusing to give up, who inspired him to keep going. Their resilience turned devastation into a chance to rise again. Watch the full interview here:   Al-Mahdi’s StoryAl-Mahdi’s restaurant was once one of the busiest in Derna. After the floods, it was left in ruins. At first, he thought the city could never recover. But step by step, he rebuilt his restaurant, restoring not only his livelihood but also a place for people to gather again. His journey is proof that determination can bring life back even after unimaginable loss. Watch the full interview here:  These projects were supported by the UN in Libya through the World Food Programme in Libya.
They were implemented together with local partners, authorities and communities, with support from Germany.

 Even during times when it was uncommon for women to pursue careers, Libyan women have always been known to be creators, designers, chefs and artisans, often mastering their crafts at home and passing them through generations. There’s a Libyan proverb that says, “Better a skill in your hands than wealth from your ancestors.” This saying becomes more evident in difficult times, when many women must rely on their own talents to support their families.  They turn their “Sana’a” – their skill -- into sustenance.  Libyan women have long worked quietly from their homes—sewing in dimly lit rooms after putting their children to bed, crafting tea spread cloths to sell, preparing traditional Holi, or making date-filled ma’moul in their kitchens for a wedding just down the street. These hard-working women, while making a comfortable living from the convenience of their own homes, rarely see their labours of love make a ripple beyond their neighbourhoods and towns, and even fewer have the chance to celebrate them on a national, let alone regional, stage. Women’s participation in local and regional economies is vital for diversification and growth—especially for Libyan women, who remain underrepresented in African forums and in non-Arabic-speaking contexts. In May 2025, this was on full display in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where over 400 participants gathered for the 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) an event designed to promote women’s role in regional trade.  With support from UNDP Libya, three Libyan entrepreneurs—Souad, Awatef, and Rabea—were given the opportunity to showcase their businesses regionally, gaining technical guidance and an exhibition space to spotlight their craftsmanship, in Spice-making, Crochet and Fashion Design.  Souad Sulaiman: The Business-savvy Spice Maker Souad Sulaiman, a former academic who found her path as an entrepreneur by a stroke of generosity, is the founder of Jasmin Alsham Spices. She is a spice-maker who grew up surrounded by passionate cooks. She recalls with a smile: ‘I was always considered the best cook in my family.’She began in this business by making spices for her family and occasionally gifting batches of spice mixes to friends. One friend suggested she sell them more widely, which sparked her professional journey.Souad got her professional start at a local bazaar, where her entire first batch of spices sold out. The immediate demand for her unique blends confirmed her path. Today, she continues to build her business, supplying supermarkets across Tripoli, driven by the same passion that first led her to the kitchen.   Her participation in COMESA allowed her to showcase her spices on a wider regional stage, providing a unique opportunity to test people’s palates and represent Libya. “When we showcased our products in Ethiopia, people were impressed with what we made and started buying from us.” Today, this is her way of making a living for her four children, for whom she is the main supporter.Awatef Sbeta: The Delicate Crocheter   
Awatef Sbeta, the founder of Nomanamat, learned the intricate art of crochet from a friend. For her, it was never just a hobby—it became a source of joy and purpose. A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Sbeta finesses every fibre with precision.  Long before she was widowed, she was a driven and creative working woman receiving compliments about her work more than praise; they affirmed the beauty she was creating.“When I crochet,” she says, “I feel removed from my worries. It’s my own world.” Awatef believes that Libyan women have always been creators, even if they didn't always monetize their craft. “Our mothers are artists by nature,” she reflects. “They sewed their tea cloths and handled their furashiyas delicately. They poured their passion and soul into everything they made.” This legacy runs through Awatef’s spirit as she continues a cultural tradition of creation and care.     Sbeta was recognized among the top three in a highly competitive category at the COMFWB Annual Awards for her outstanding 2-year-old crochet project, Nomanamat.  “It was a complete surprise.” she says, “I truly didn’t expect it, and it left me with the drive to keep going.” Self-aware about her journey and how she got where she did, she continues:  “I made it here, but how many people are lucky enough to attend such events and get that kind of support to move forward?”  Rabea Ben Barka: The Fervent Fashion Designer  Rabea Ben Barka is a designer with a passion for reimagining traditional Libyan wear. The first in her generation, her work honours heritage while infusing it with a modern sensibility.  “Since I was young, I’ve been drawn to fashion design,” she says. Her grandfather opened Libya’s first textile factory in 1943, producing robes and traditional clothing, and his legacy inspired her path. 
 “I want to work in Libya because I studied with the goal of giving back to my country.”Traveling across all regions of Libya, she gained a deep understanding of the diverse styles and traditions. That experience sparked an idea: to modernize the traditional Libyan dress, reimagining it with fresh, innovative designs.For Rabea, design is not just about clothing; it's about identity and national pride.”  With UNDP’s support, these three women brought their skills to a regional stage, proving that Libya’s entrepreneurs have much to offer. As Rabea put it:"My message to every young man and woman with a business idea is to master your craft, just as my talented colleagues Souad and Awatef have done. That’s how we move from importing to exporting. We want to produce rather than consume. We want the world to recognize our work. And we want to proudly say: ‘Made in Libya.’