Libya's draft law on violence against women: progress and challenges

On November 28, 2025, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and the Libya Platform Coalition released a statement regarding Libya's Draft Law on the Protection of Women from Violence, introduced in November 2023 and currently awaiting parliamentary approval. The draft law represents a significant normative step toward recognizing and combating violence against women and girls in Libya.

Key aspects of the draft law include:

• Comprehensive Definition: The law defines violence broadly, encompassing physical, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse.
• Criminalization: It criminalizes multiple forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and harmful traditional practices.
• Protection Mechanisms: The law proposes the establishment of shelters, hotlines, and support services for survivors.
• Legal Remedies: It outlines procedures for reporting, investigating, and prosecuting cases of violence against women.

While the draft law aligns Libya more closely with international standards, CIHRS and the Libya Platform Coalition caution that, in the context of political fragmentation, militia dominance, and a largely non-functioning justice system, even the most progressive law risks remaining purely symbolic unless accompanied by genuine structural reforms.

They emphasize the need for:

• Rule of Law: Strengthening judicial institutions to ensure the effective implementation of the law.
• Accountability: Holding perpetrators accountable to deter future violations.
• Security Sector Reform: Addressing the influence of militias to create a safe environment for women.

The statement urges the Libyan Parliament to adopt the draft law promptly and calls on the international community to support Libya in implementing comprehensive reforms to protect women's rights effectively.

As Libya continues its transitional period, addressing violence against women is crucial for the country's stability and the promotion of human rights.