Blog#6 - Post-Revolution, Libyan Women Seek Expanded Roles

Katherine Gottsegen
10/7/2011
‘Post-Revolution, Libyan Women Seek Expanded Roles’
After Moammar Gadhafi’s government was overthrown in August, women from all over Libya are seeing new horizons. These women played huge roles in helping to move along this revolution and now have their eyes on much larger political reforms. In the article, Isra bin Mahmoud discusses the various ways many women were participating. Mahmoud belongs to a group called Flower of the Capital, that specialized in destabilizing Gadhafi’s army. Distributing cd’s that displayed the massacres committed by the army, smuggling weapons, and handing out newsletters are just a few of the steps taken by women of various groups to spread the word of their corrupt government. Although the women have started to become much more active, a political role is almost just out of reach. One woman states that because there have never been any elections, she does not have a political attitude. Another woman, who lived outside of Libya for some time, is aware of the political tension related with women in the government. As she put it, women mostly did not work under Gadhafi’s government, so it will be a hard fight for them to make their way in. With uncertainty looming above them, the women of Libya have hope. Educated and active women are pushing to be included in the new government that is now forming.
Libya is a perfect example of more efforts being made to break down gender barriers that have plagued our world for years. In a government that usually doesn’t include women, I think it will have a positive effect on the country and others surrounding countries. This movement will set a good example for other places that may be struggling with the same issues. If a place like Libya can make these reforms, others can too. I believe this is an extremely important movement that can change the way men and women are looked at, as equals. We have come a long way in the way gender equality is looked at. Instead of being looked at as objects, women are taking on new roles that put them at the same level as men. The steps being taken to make these changes are big ones and, although it will take some time, a transformation will come.

http://www.npr.org/2011/10/04/141037471/post-revolution-libyan-women-seek-expanded-roles