Written question asked by Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 13 January 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 January 2012. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Libya: Females

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the National Transitional Council of Libya on the involvement of women in the democratic transition process.

Answer: When the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), spoke to Prime Minister al-Kib in November 2011 to congratulate him on his appointment, he underlined the importance of ensuring that women play an integral role in the evolving democratic process. The UK co-funded the first Libyan National Women's Conference in November 2011 during which women put their concerns directly to Chairman Jalil and Transitional Government Prime Minister al-Kib. During my visit to Tripoli in December 2011, I spoke to senior members of the Transitional Government and civil society groups about the importance of ensuring the full participation of women in shaping the democratic future of Libya. Our ambassador in Tripoli met a senior member of the National Transitional Council Election Committee on 11 January to discuss the recently published draft electoral legislation and to clarify the terms under which women would be included in the democratic process. Officials in London and Tripoli also supporting Libyan women's groups in developing effective mechanisms to ensure that women's views are heard and taken into consideration.

Secondary information