IPTÎSEM EXFÎR

Benghazi- The Government of National Unity in Libya only five women ministers. Women take part in all areas, but women's participation in decision-making mechanisms in the country falls short of the mark.

Dr. Alia Ellafi, who works on creative thinking and personal development at the international level, drew attention to that women’s participation is needed in all fields, particularly in the workforce. She stated that society respects and trusts women more in the workforce. Female politicians have capacities to change politics, Dr. Alia Ellafi said, “Women politicians should make their talents and works more visible in order to be known better. Moreover, spaces should be created for them and positive behaviors should be distinguished to have more women in politics. Because positive behaviors are contagious.”

Call for breaking the “glass ceilings”

“Libyan women generally have the capacities to achieve the best, however, we have something namely glass ceiling,” Dr. Alia Ellafi told us she felt sad because women put them behind those glass ceilings. “A perception saying women should dependent on men has been put in the minds of women. This is exactly why women continue to stay behind the glass ceilings imposed on them. The women who break these glass ceilings will have free will and become creative people. Each woman breaking these glass ceilings will always create new ideas.” Dr. Alia Ellafi still has hopes to change the system.

“Women should build spaces to support women”

Dr. Alia Ellafi recalled that there are women who work at night alone such as doctors, nurses, and civil servants, and women who travel abroad alone, “Even if women have everything for success, even if they are philosophers or scientists, they aren’t supported. We don’t say these women are doomed to fail but spaces should be built to support them.”

“Yemeni women keep a close watch on women around the world”

Dr. Alia Ellafi stated that Yemeni women keep a close watch on calls for gender equality all around the world. She said every woman’s achievement in the world is a “victory” for all women.