'Every Right' - Libyan Women in the Private Sector

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'Every Right' - Libyan Women in the Private Sector

Tripoli, LibyaLondon, United Kingdom
Year Founded:
2013
Organization type: 
nonprofit/ngo/citizen sector
Project Stage:
Idea
Budget: 
$10,000 - $50,000
Website:
http://www.libyanjustice.org
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Project Summary
Elevator Pitch

Concise Summary: Help us pitch this solution! Provide an explanation within 3-4 short sentences.

The overall aim of this project is to establish direct engagement with business leaders, the public, and government policy makers, in order to encourage greater participation of Libyan women in the workforce.

WHAT IF - Inspiration: Write one sentence that describes a way that your project dares to ask, "WHAT IF?"

What the Libyan private sector were to actively encourage women’s equality?
About Project

Problem: What problem is this project trying to address?

Educational empowerment has failed to create equality of opportunities for women in the workplace. Legal advancements, which concern women’s economic rights, have remained superficial gestures. Gender stereotypes remain unchallenged in many aspects of Libyan society, which in turn create substantial barriers to the economic independence of women. Private sector employers have not adopted sufficient internal policies to advance women’s rights.

Solution: What is the proposed solution? Please be specific!

LFJL will enlist private sector businesses to adopt a joint memorandum on women’s rights. This document will be based on mutual understanding of the need to respect, protect, and fulfill women’s rights within the workplace. The memorandum shall be made available online for additional companies to commit to. LFJL will work with organisations to facilitate and advise upon necessary changes. The public will also be engaged in its activities through several press statements and high profile events that will encourage the discussion of women’s rights in the Libyan workplace. The successful implementation of such policies, the support of both the public and private sector, will in turn be used as to promote future legal advocacy efforts
Impact: How does it Work

Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.

Fatima works as a teller at a bank in Tripoli. She is grateful for the income it provides her but does not see herself being promoted, whilst her junior is now her manager. He is apparently a ‘better leader'. Fatima’s husband does not earn a huge amount, but he is not sure that the workplace is a suitable place for a woman to be. However, her bank has recently been approached by LFJL. They are swayed by the economic arguments for developing an internal development scheme. Upon their advice they are in the process of looking for candidates who might serve as mentors to future employees. They invest in Fatima. Her new position grants her respect from her coworkers and her wage means she has a greater say on financial decisions at home.

Impact: What is the impact of the work to date? Also describe the projected future impact for the coming years.

The percentage of women in the private sector is at 28% (World Bank, 2010). Their participation will increase economic growth which has dropped to 2.1% this year (IMF). If women are equally represented it is predicted there will be a 34% increase to GDP (Booz, 2012), and the welfare of children will improve (World Bank, 2012). The empowerment of women is a ‘prerequisite’ to achieving the Millennium Development Goals like poverty elimination. Female entrepreneurs will increase due to female role models creating jobs for all, reducing youth unemployment which stands at 22% in MENA (IMF, 2013). With greater financial autonomy, women are more likely to have increased influence within family and private life, a greater capacity to leave abusive and violent relationships (stressed by CEDAW committee), and an increased ability to participate in more public activities.
Sustainability

Financial Sustainability Plan: What is this solution’s plan to ensure financial sustainability?

Direct project activities will have long-term effects if sincerely engaged with by the involved business organisations. The project effectively educates and outsources the implementation of greater human rights standards. Relevant materials and resources which will also be hosted online. Future women’s rights advocacy efforts, which are supported by LFJL’s core funding, will draw on the project experiences as well as its success.

Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?

Existing projects tend to target women as stakeholders directly. For example, MEDA run entrepreneurship classes and Libyan Women Platform run workshops to increase business acumen. These efforts are clearly important but could be complimented by additional support from the private sector itself. LFJL has over 100 years of joint corporate legal experience amongst its members. It is therefore in a unique position to engage with the business community and promote women’s rights from a different angle.
Team

Founding Story

During the Destoori project, LFJL visited 37 towns and communities across Libya to engage with the public on questions relating to the upcoming constitutional drafting process. Women, when asked about the day-to day challenges they face, expressed concerns that stem from unequal treatment. It was apparent that almost all felt they were perceived to be different, less capable, or less important in contrast to men. LFJL believes the right to work is an integral part of changing that treatment. For example, when a woman cannot get to university unless a male family member drives her it is, in part, because her education is seen as a luxury rather than an opportunity. LFJL believes that such understandings need to be challenged.
About You
Organization:
Lawyers for Justice in Libya
About You
First Name

Thomas

Last Name

Ebbs

About Your Organization
Organization Name

Lawyers for Justice in Libya

Organization Country

, CMD, London

Country where this project is creating social impact

, TL

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Project
Year founded

2013

Impact
Impact: What is the impact of the work to date?
Barriers: What barriers might hinder the success of your project and how do you plan to overcome them?
Full Impact Potential: What are the main spread strategies moving forward? (Please consider geographic spread, policy reform, and independent replication/adoption of the idea or other mechanisms.)
Sustainability
Sustainability Plan: What is this solution’s plan to ensure financial sustainability?
Founding Story: Share a story about the "Aha!" moment that led the founder to get started and/or to see the potential for this to succeed.
Partnerships: Tell us about your partnerships.
Women Powering Work
Is your project targeted at solving any of the following challenges?

Building self-confidence and networks through role models, mentors, public campaigns, and more

Does your project utilize any of the strategies below?

Creating partnerships with complementary businesses that will help your beneficiaries have more impact - such as creating a daycare center that supports a businesses