Of 98 presidential candidates in Libya, just two are women challenging norms
Source: Reuters
TRIPOLI (Reuters) - When political activist Laila ben Khalifa announced she was standing in Libya’s presidential race, she said the most common response was sexist jokes and patronising comments.
Even when she met one of her male rivals in the Dec. 24 election, he mocked her candidacy, she added, questioning whether she expected to win any votes.
That Ben Khalifa is one of only two women to stand for president in a field of 98 registered candidates is evidence that a decade of chaos has entrenched Libya’s patriarchal politics.
With the election still in doubt as rival factions squabble over the rules, the field remains dominated by male armed leaders and political chieftains who have ruled over the fractured country since its 2011 uprising.
Click here to read the full article published by Reuters on 7 December 2021.
TRIPOLI (Reuters) - When political activist Laila ben Khalifa announced she was standing in Libya’s presidential race, she said the most common response was sexist jokes and patronising comments.
Even when she met one of her male rivals in the Dec. 24 election, he mocked her candidacy, she added, questioning whether she expected to win any votes.
That Ben Khalifa is one of only two women to stand for president in a field of 98 registered candidates is evidence that a decade of chaos has entrenched Libya’s patriarchal politics.
With the election still in doubt as rival factions squabble over the rules, the field remains dominated by male armed leaders and political chieftains who have ruled over the fractured country since its 2011 uprising.
Click here to read the full article published by Reuters on 7 December 2021.