The UN in Libya launches the second round of its Ra’idat training programme for young women from across the country

TRIPOLI – 20 October 2024– Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary General and Officer-in-Charge of UNSMIL Stephanie Koury joined representatives from UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women in a panel discussion hosted at the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), to launch the second cohort of the Ra’idat training programme for young Libyan women today. 

Thirty-five young women aged 18-30 from across Libya came to Tripoli to undertake the first in a series of six three/four-day training sessions focused on building their communication, teamwork, leadership and advocacy skills as well as their knowledge of human rights. This is the second year of the Ra’idat programme, with the first cohort graduating in June 2024. 

Opening the panel discussion, HNEC Commissioner Rabab Halab encouraged the participants to work on topics which can echo and create opportunity for genuine change as well as being inspirational to others. “Building trust and self confidence among yourselves is important,” she said, “don’t let the barriers and challenges you will face as women stop you moving forward.” 

DSRSG Koury agreed, adding that “creating a network of people – men and women – who can support you is important to successfully bringing about change. It is important that there are opportunities for women to engage in the political process, and that is why UNSMIL continues to support fair representation in the institutions so that we break down barriers and have female representatives.” 

The Ra’idat programme brings together women from a range of backgrounds, regions and cultural components. Of the 35 women in the programme, each region is represented equally with 27% coming from different cultural components and 10% of participants with special needs. 

Discussing the barriers young people, particularly young women, face when engaging with decision-makers, Khadija Elboasihi, Women Empowerment Advisor at UNDP Libya, said that: “Knowledge is power. Women need to be well equipped with knowledge about their rights and prepared to seize any opportunities that come their way. Through Ra’idat we have seen networks of women begin supporting each other and work together. A pioneer – the meaning of Ra’idat in English – is someone who opens up the path for those behind them, paving the way for future generations.” 

Deputy Representative for UN Women, Isadora Demoura, highlighted the work the agency has been doing with HNEC to support women’s political participation in elections. In answer to questions from the young women around online safety and taking advantage of new digital opportunities, she added that the Ra’idat programme was about building the capacity and capability of young women to transform their communities for the better, but that safety was always paramount. 

To end the discussion, UNICEF acting representative Abulsalam Al-Souhigi reflected on the Libyan youth climate summit the agency held the previous week. “Enhancing the capability of women and youth in order to create opportunities for dialogue with decision-making entities, is an important part of the work the UN is doing in Libya,” he added. 

The Ra’idat programme is a UN in Libya programme led by UNSMIL and supported by UN Women, UNDP, UNICEF and HNEC as a Libyan partner. Last year, some thirty young women took part in the training, and the graduates have now established the Ra’idat Alumni Network, to continue to work together on key issues and develop community projects.