ISO: LBY
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The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth
World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
Secretariat.
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AS WRITTEN


STATEMENT BY MS. NURA RAMADAN
Assistant Secretary for Women’s Affairs Secretariat
of the General People’s Congress of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya


Allow me, on behalf of the women of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to salute
your august gathering in this the Fourth World Conference on Women

The status of women in the Jamahiriya Society is determined by basic
principles which form the most important progressive ideas related to
achieving women’s advancement at all levels, with a view to realising
basic objectives including equality, development and peace, which in turn
would enhance the position of women in the Jamahiriya society.

Faith, Thought and Legal instruments in the Libyan Arab society are the
grounds on which is built a basis for human relations rooted in justice
and equality; relations that determine rights and duties and rules of
conduct among members of society; be they male or female, in all walks of
life.

By adopting noble principles, the Libyan Arab society aims at building a
happy society where there would be no class distinctions, and where
rights, private and public, axe safeguarded. The Libyan Arab society has
Islam as its religion and the source of all its laws is the Holy Koran.
In such a society, women enjoy a special status, being the nucleus of a
stable and balance social life.

Twenty-six years ago this month, Libyans and specially women, were
liberated from all forms of oppression, coercion and exploitation Since
then, Libyans have adopted the thought of Muammar Al-Qadhafi's "The Green
Book" as a pragmatic and practical way for solving the problems facing
them, be they political, economic or social, eradicating the unjust
realities and the backward and obsolete values governing the relationship
between women and men. The Green Book states that "men and women are
humanly equal and discriminating between them is a blatant and
unjustified in justice." Thus, it becomes very clear that any distinction
between women and men in political, economic and social rights is a
blatant injustice. However, the distinction between them in duties
preserves the humanity of women and reflects a correct undertaking of
their biological constitution. This constitutes respect for the role and
function of women in human life. To do otherwise, would be arbitrary and
against the norms of nature .

Based on the thought of The Green Book, all doors are open for women to
enter all areas of political, economic and social activities, since work
both a right and a duty for all members of society who are able and
willing to work, be they women or m>n, because work is motivated by
purely material incentives. But it is neither fair nor just for any
member of society to be forced to do a job that is not suited to him or
her.

Libyan legislations based on the Holy Koran as the law of society and The
Green Book as a practical method are addressed at the citizens,
irrespective of their sex. These legislations have given citizens basic
rights that they enjoy in all walks of life, including the exercise of
power, the right to defend the homeland, the rights to practice economic
activities, and the right to enjoy the social services which the society
provides to its members without distinction.

The Declaration on the Establishment of the Power of the People, the
Great Green Document on Human Rights in the Era of the Masses, and the
Law on the Enhancement of Freedom, all have confirmed the right of women
to exercise direct popular power, which in essence, is a real exercise of
the affairs of life in the state, in all fields. Moreover, all laws
clearly and strongly stipulate that women are as free ,as men and fully
eligible to exercise their full rights.

The above-mentioned gives you the main features of the general strategy
of the Libyan Arab society aimed at the realisation of total economic and
social development, and the removal of all manifestations of under-
development wherever they may be (we run against time and eliminate
gradualism). In this brief statement, we are trying to throw light on the
role played by the Libyan Arab women, side by side with men, in order to
achieve great objectives and realise immortal achievements for humanity
at large.

Sisters and brothers,

Libyan women have had important gains in a short period, and achieved a
qualitative leap that has been embodied in their pioneering and effective
role in many fields, including, for example, education, culture, arts,
health, economy, diplomatic service, the judiciary and other activities
that Libyan women did not do before. In addition, Libyan women have
succeeded in managing and steering productive projects and proven
themselves in holding administrative and technical posts at the highest
levels. This led to a complementarity among members of society, and the
establishment of sold bases for the choices of the new generations
determined to persevere in building a happy human society based on
equality and justice.

The presence of Libyan women amongst you today in this World Conference
is the best proof and reflection of our political orientation in external
relations based on our acceptance of the interaction of cultures, base on
mutual respect of the concepts and values of peoples

I have followed some statements by Heads of Delegations and they all
agree that this conference is devoted to the consideration of problems
affecting women and children. I fully support this position and call for
serious study of the real problems facing women and children in many
parts of the world

I also know that my distinguished colleagues can talk about their
problems, based on their own real life experiences in their countries. As
for my own country, I would like to state the following:

The pioneering experience of women in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya is now
being pre-empted and face a great danger that would restrict its movement
and prevent it from continuing on the toad of building and
reconstruction. This is due to the ferocious imperialist campaign against
the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya that resulted in the unjust embargo imposed on
all categories of people, and because of which women are greatly
suffering

The unjust embargo imposed on us has led to the death of many people and
is threatening the lives of a whole generation. It has cast a dark shadow
over us, we the women of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and on our children,
mothers, fathers and husbands because of the increasing shortages in
medicines and medical supplies, food and materials needed for everyday
life You may agree with me that this runs counter to human values and the
most basic principles contained in the Nairobi strategies, specially
paragraph 13 which states that the best condition for effective promotion
of the rights of women are those of international peace and security,
when relations between states are based on respect for the legitimate
rights of all nations big and small, and to all peoples 8 rights to self-
determination, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and
their right to live in peace within their national boundaries

There is no doubt that the violation of this principle leads us to the
dangerous contradiction between United Nations words and deeds. A quick
glance at the pockets of tensions and conflict in today's world, would
show that these take place under an international -order characterised by
confused standards and criteria This makes it difficult to realise the
dream of peace which is the only ground upon which the pillars of
advancement of human beings, including women, can be built.

In conclusion, I would like to remind you that we do need an
international conscience which would give peace back to the persecuted
peoples so that women may be able to achieve their aspirations. That is
why we call for the consideration of the establishment of international
political and economic orders that would respect human beings and give
absolute priority to their- 8 — dignity so that the women we dream of can
become a full human being.

In view of the time- constraint, I would conclude my statement and thank
you for your attention.

May peace and the blessings of God be upon us.