TRIPOLI — Libyan authorities should seize a historic opportunity to promote and protect women's rights as the country transitions from four decades of dictatorship, Human Rights Watch said in a new report. The parliament, government, and other bodies should ensure that women can participate actively and equally in the drafting of the new constitution and the reform of legislation that affect their lives, Human Rights Watch said. “Libyan women are at a pivotal moment in their country's history with the drafting of a new constitution and the start of legislative reform,” said Liesl Gerntholtz, women's rights director at Human Rights Watch. “If Libya misses this opportunity to lay the legal foundation for women's rights, it could lead to serious violations for years to come.” The 40-page report released this week highlights key steps that Libya should take to meet its international obligations by firmly rejecting gender-based discrimination in both law and practice. The report calls on Libya's parliament, the General National Congress (GNC), to ensure that women are involved on equal terms with men in the entire constitution drafting process, including active participation in the Constituent Assembly tasked with preparing the draft. “The revolution was an earthquake to the cultural status of women in Libya,” said Iman Bugaighis, a rights activist in Benghazi. “We don't want to lose what we've gained as Libyan women.” Her sister, Selwa Bugaighis, a lawyer, echoed this view: “We had never participated before in protests; these were taboo. The revolution made us proud to be there on the front line … But now there are some who think it is time for women to go home.” The Constituent Assembly will be chosen by popular election, which is expected later in 2013. The GNC is currently preparing an election law for that election. Women's active participation in the Constituent Assembly is essential, Human Rights Watch said. This includes appointing a gender advisor to help ensure the draft constitution meets international standards of human rights. Once drafting of the constitution begins, the Constituent Assembly should include explicit language that guarantees full equality between women and men. The constitution should make clear that its provisions on equality override any law, Human Rights Watch said. The new constitution, which must be approved by popular referendum, should explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender, sex, pregnancy, and marital status, among other categories, the report said. Libya is party to the Convention to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women and other international instruments that require gender equality before the law. — Libya Herald
