Libya needs Italy and Europe to overcome the crisis and start a process of democratic reconstruction that can finally bring stability to a country afflicted by terrorism, civil war, a political, economic and social crisis which, after the Arab spring and the fall of former dictator Mu'ammar Gaddafi, have not never given a break to the population of the North African state.
But Libya also and above all needs its women to raise their heads and start a long-lasting peace project that cannot ignore the recognition of the political, social and cultural rights of the female population, which for too many years has been forced to suffer the stereotypes of tradition and the obscurantism of the regime.
These were the main topics covered during the seminar “The narrow path of democratic reconstruction in Libya and peace in the Mediterranean. The role of Libyan women”, held on 17 October at the Chamber of Deputies and organized by the non-profit Minerva with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many speakers took turns on stage to discuss fundamental issues for the future of Tripoli, a future strongly interconnected with that of the European Union, Italy in primis. The meeting was attended by numerous political and institutional figures from Italy and Libya, such as the vice-presidents of the Chamber and Senate, Marina Sereni and Linda Lanzillotta, the Deputy Director General for the Mediterranean and Middle East Countries Giuseppe Perrone (future Italian in Tripoli), the Libyan Ambassador in Italy Ahmed Elmabrouk Safar, the President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Senate Pier Ferdinando Casini, the Head of the ISPI Terrorism Observatory, Arturo Varvelli, and the journalist of La Repubblica Vincenzo Nigro. A large all-female delegation was present, made up of parliamentarians and representatives of Libyan associations ready to face openly the most important problems living in the motherland: from political division to terrorism, from security to the economic crisis.
Libyan women
Among the various issues discussed, the main theme of the meeting was undoubtedly that relating to the present and future role of women in Libya. "After the fall of the regime - said the vice-president of the Chamber Marina Sereni - we had hoped for greater freedom for Libyan women, who played a fundamental role in the ouster of Gaddafi". And instead, the Honorable underlined, the obscurantist movements "have put a crackdown on women's emancipation" which also clashes with stereotypes and family traditions that are difficult to eradicate.
Some percentages were provided during the meeting. Today, 80% of Libyan NGOs are chaired by women. In the congress, the female quota is equal to 17%, the percentage reaches 16% in Parliament, 10% in the Constituent Assembly and 1% in the municipalities.
There has therefore been some progress, but the risk is that the crisis will frustrate the efforts made over the decades. Naeima Mohammed Gebril, Member of the “Libyan Political Dialogue” did not mince words: “I am a witness of the revolution, I am the only woman to have participated in the constitution of the Provisional National Council. Successive governments had ministers and representatives in the municipalities. But we are starting to lose past gains and this is worrying for the future of women in Libya".
The figures provided above demonstrate that women, in addition to having played an active role in the revolutionary process, have begun to make their way into politics and institutions. But, according to Gebril, that's not enough: “We need to move from the bottom up, not from the top down. It is not necessary to involve only the elites. We have to move on the popular basis”. Together with the leadership, society and the life that millions of normal women lead within it must also change.
For this reason, according to all the present speakers, the definition of the new Constitution will be an essential test case in trying to balance the Shari?ah principles and the rights of Libyan women. It will be precisely in that context that women will have to "raise their voices" to actively participate in the process of democratic reconstruction. “The conflicts have meant that women have no say in the matter – highlighted the activist Amal Alhaai -, suffering violence even at the level of their sexual life, limitations in movement and travel, forced to marry even if they are minors. Not to mention extremism. There are also rifts among women in light of religious and regional differences. The empowerment of women is fundamental. Effective measures must be taken to introduce women into the liberation process”.
The political-economic crisis and the role of Italy
Libya is the gateway to Europe. A strategic country not only from a geographical point of view, but also from an economic point of view. For decades Rome and Tripoli have maintained a close bond that has allowed both countries to cultivate their economic interests. Then came the crisis caused by the problems now known to everyone. But one cannot think that the Libyan problems are none of our business. “Security and peace in the Mediterranean are directly linked to the process of democratic reconstruction and Libyan peacemaking. The Libyan issue is central to the international arena,” Ambassador Safar said.
The future Italian ambassador to Libya, Perrone, shares the same opinion: “For us, Libyan peace is a priority, a stable Libya is essential for our stability. Our interests converge, our ties run deep, and we cannot afford an unstable Libya. We are united by the Mediterranean. Aware of this, the Italian Government has undertaken to ensure that the international community plays an important role in the democratization process through shared principles", especially since the international community itself has played a fundamental role in the past in the explosion of the crisis Libyan.
One of Libya's fundamental problems is security, an issue strongly interconnected with the country's economic crisis. Until the territory is secured, the Libyan economy will not be able to restart.
ISPI scholar Arturo Varvelli explained that: “Libya is facing two crises: the first concerns security, the second the economy and society. With the fall of Gaddafi, the state also fell. There is a difficulty in the Libyan transition, which has different connotations compared to other North African transitions”.
Impossible not to mention oil. Since the fall of Gaddafi in 2011, Libya's oil industry has collapsed. A few days ago, the president of the Libyan National Oil Company (Noc), Mustafa Sanallah, announced that crude oil production has exceeded 550 barrels per day, forecasting an increase to 900 barrels per day at the end of the year , the highest level ever recorded since June 2013, although light years away from pre-2011 levels (there were 1,4 million barrels extracted immediately after the revolution).
“The Libyan economy is heavily dependent on the sale of hydrocarbons abroad – continued Varvelli – the blockage of wells and the collapse in oil prices have caused a substantial reduction in revenues. Libya could therefore be close to a fiscal crisis. Already half of foreign reserves have been burned in this long transition period. A situation that could push the various parties to continue along the path of negotiation.
Italy has a fundamental role in the peace process in Tripoli. The President of the Foreign Affairs Commission, Pier Ferdinando Casini, underlined the will of our Government: “We want a united Libya, we don't want a tripartite division. we intend to safeguard unity. We know that the country has great economic resources and, if stable, important resources for us and for you, we remember the partnership with Italian companies". Italy therefore intends to do its part, also on the issue of immigration, trying to push Europe to do the same.
