With generous support from the Government of Norway, UN Women will intensify its efforts to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Libya at this critical juncture.

The Government of Norway has contributed USD 570,000 to UN Women Libya to promote the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace and security and support Libyan women’s participation in peacebuilding and recovery efforts.

Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord has condemned the killing of prominent Libyan lawyer and women's rights activist Hanan al-Barassi, who was gunned down by armed men Tuesday in the eastern city of Benghazi.

Her killing in Benghazi, which falls under the control of the Libyan National Army (LNA), came just a day after she shared comments on social media criticizing the son of renegade military general and LNA leader Khalifa Haftar.

In a statement on Friday, the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Libya and the Ambassadors of EU Member States accredited to Libya reiterated their aid for the country's "full and meaningful inclusion and participation of women in the peace process."

On April 4, General Khalifa Haftar advanced with his Libyan National Army (LNA) on Tripoli in an attempt to take over the capital from the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).  Prime Minister Fayez Serraj who leads the GNA described the offensive as “an attempted coup”. Haftar has been slowly building alliances, and now has the backing of France, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Serraj and the GNA have the backing of Turkey, Qatar, and Italy, however, the GNA’s army is an array of militias.

IRIN Contributor Tom Westcott analyzes the situation in Libya, where women are suffering different abuses. In an environment where the State has been weakened, smugglers populate the place.

On 10 November 2015, a diverse and geographically representative group of 38 Libyan women activists joined their efforts in presenting the Libyan Women Action Plan for Peace and their shared vision to the international community.