Africa News of Saturday, 20 March 2021
Source: africanews.com
Five women will hold important ministries in Libya's new government for the first time in the country's history.
While the move has been praised it is far from achieving parity in the UN-sponsored transitional government led by Abdelhamid al-Dabaiba.
Libya descended into conflict after dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled and killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, with an array of forces battling to fill the void.
The transitional Government of National Unity (GNU), which took office this week, faces the challenge of pulling the country out of a decade of chaos and divisions, by leading it to national elections in December.
But with five women among its 26 ministers and six ministers of state, it also marks relative progress for women in politics.
This is a "major step to advance women's rights," said UN Women in Libya, while US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, said it was a "historic time for Libyan women,"
The cabinet is comprised of 26 ministers and six ministers of state, with women assigned to five posts, including the key foreign affairs and justice portfolios.
Who are the ministers?
Najla al-Mangoush: An activist from Benghazi, has been appointed as head of Foreign Affairs. The trained lawyer became known in 2011 after she became part of the National Transitional Council (CNT), the official body of the 2011 revolution that ousted Colonel Muammar Gaddafi from power.
Mabrouka Touki Othman Aoki : An academic from Fezzan who holds a degree in nuclear physics, will head the Ministry of Justice.
Halima Ibrahim Abderrahmane: The lawyer from Gharyan will head the Ministry of Justice.
Wafaa Abou Bakr Muhammad Al-Kilani: Will lead the Ministry of Social Affairs
Houria Khalifa Miloud al-Turman**: **Will lead the Ministry of Women's Affairs
.@UN_Women congratulates #Libya as the Government of National Unity officially took oath of office. We commend the appointment of the 5 women Ministers, recognizing it as a major step for advancing women`s rights & working together for an inclusive, prosperous & #peaceful country pic.twitter.com/3nmf4msJNO
— UN Women Libya (@unwomenlibya) March 15, 2021