Libya

Male-Dominated Society

Religion and tribal affiliation are the main driving cultural forces in Libya. Tradition has dictated that women have limited social and cultural rights, and are allowed to make very few decisions about issues relating to their reproductive health, which in most cases is considered a family affair. Although contraception is available in Libya, scarce information is available in the public domain, and it therefore remains a taboo subject. According to the UN, there is no government support to assist women with contraceptive use. The latest figures, from 1995, indicate about 25 percent of married women used contraception. Abortion is illegal and punishable under the penal code.

Women and children in Libya are often subject to strict family controls. Women are allowed to leave the country; however, if a woman is married, her husband may take legal action to prevent his wife from leaving the country, regardless of her nationality. It is highly unusual for women and children to travel alone. Children under 18 whose fathers are Libyan must have the father's permission to depart Libya, even if the mother has been granted full custody by a Libyan court. Libya is primarily a male-dominated society where women have not made many inroads. Women continue to suffer gender-based discrimination due mostly to the fact that Libyan society values men more than women, and patriarchal religious values and tribal cultures prevail.

Marriage and Divorce

Marriage is generally a family affair, especially in rural areas, and partners are often designated from birth and are dependent upon family and tribal ties. The legal age for a woman to marry is 20, although she can marry earlier if a court grants permission. The social setting of the family significantly affects the circumstances of a wife. Urban women tend to be more sophisticated and socially aware, but they are more conservative in social relations and dress. In the upper-class urban families, women fulfill few important economic functions, and their responsibilities are often limited to the household. Generally, [Page 655]a woman's place is typically considered to be in the home. Women are legally entitled to their economic rights, but in reality men continue to hold most of the purse strings.

A girl's parents are eager for her to marry at the earliest possible age in order to forestall any loss of her virginity, which is essential to her honor. A woman begins to attain status and security in her husband's family only if she produces boys.

Divorces are granted, but if the woman is deemed the cause of the divorce, then not only is she denied any outstanding mahar (dower payment), but in addition, the custody of her children is given to the husband. In some cases, she is also ordered to pay compensation. Divorced women are viewed as shameful by society. Education is free and open to all citizens. It is compulsory for girls to attend schooling up to the intermediate level. Due to lack of information, Save the Children did not assign Libya a score on the Mothers' Index or Women's Index, but ranked it 31st out of 79 Tier II or less developed countries.

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