The Libyan Women Elected Officials Network (WEON) organized a Statutory conference entitled: “Supporting the Local Political Participation of Women in Libya" on November 19th, 20th, and 21st, at El Mouradi Gammarth, Tunis with support from VNG-International, CILG-VNG International, and GIZ.

The Conference brought together more than 75 members of the Libyan Women Elected Officials Network and more than 20 participants from representatives of ministries, civil society, and Libyan and Tunisian experts. Together, the participants shared experiences in seven sessions in three main areas:

• Increasing representation of women in leadership and decision-making positions at the local level;
• Legislation and the status of Libyan women; and
• Promoting public policies in support of women.

Many of the recommendations focused on the importance of inclusive governance that considers the differences between women's and men's needs, concerns, and priorities. These differences and specificities are built upon in policy formulation and planning. The sessions highlighted the importance of allocating budgets and developing programs that promote sustainable local development based on equal opportunities.

The Conference culminated in elections of a new Board of Directors for the Libyan WEON under official legal supervision of a representative of the High National Electoral Commission in Libya and representatives of Libyan civil society organizations. This new Board of Directors consists of nine elected positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Projects and Programmes, Legal Affairs, Public Relations and Networking Management, Local Office Manager, and Spokesperson.

Twenty-two female candidates ran for these elections’ various positions. On the morning of Sunday, November 21st, the final results of the elections were announced after no appeals were made, and the participants, namely 71 female voters, unanimously agreed that the elections were fair and transparent. The results were announced in a plenary session held by the relinquishing board members by passing the torch to the new Board's elected members, headed by Mrs. Nadia Abu Sriwil.

The conference activities and the Network's elections were organized within the European Union-funded ISAL project (Improved Service Delivery at the Local Level), co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and implemented by VNG International and CILG-VNG International in partnership with DRI. The organization of the event was further supported by GIZ.