Assessment of the situation of internally displaced women and girls from Murzuq and Tawergha with a focus on durable solutions


The initiative aims to advance gender-responsive actions to inform the resolution of internal displacement of women and girls with a focus on southern Libya and Tawergha through a comprehensive assessment, while fostering empowerment and local capacities.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Libya
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Protection, access & security
01.10.2023 - 31.03.2025
CHF  143’833
Background

Libya continues to face a multi-layered crisis marked by protracted conflict, political and administrative fragmentation, volatility and armed hostilities aggravating the fragility of the state. The 2021 delayed national elections furthered fragmentation with rival governments and armed groups competing for power, while an agreed election roadmap remains pending. The crisis and interrelated shocks continue to affect public services and Libyan households, with a disproportionate negative impact towards children and women, while the civic space continues to shrink.

Despite these developments, the humanitarian situation improved, and efforts are pulled to transition under the new UN Cooperation Framework (2023-25) providing longer-term perspectives for affected populations, comprising the 50’000 people estimated to still have displacement related needs. Addressing those needs and vulnerabilities remains a priority for Libyans and the United Nations, to which UN Women contributes with a focus on women and girls.

Objectives Enhanced knowledge base on needs, vulnerabilities and challenges of internally displaced women and girls informing policy, programs and advocacy.
Target groups

Direct targets:

  • Women-led civil society organisations (CSOs) 
  • Local and national authorities, (i.e. mayors, municipal councils, Ministry of Local Governance, Reconstruction Fund of Murzuq and Tawergha) 
  • International humanitarian and development organizations, UN Agencies (UNDP, UNHCR, WFP, OCHA, UNICEF, UN Resident Coordinator Office) 
  • Internally displaced and returnee women and girls 

Indirect targets:

  • The wider Libyan civilian population
Medium-term outcomes Gender-specific priorities and needs of internally displaced women and girls are reflected in policy-making, programme design, advocacy and accountability frameworks in Libya.
Results

Expected results:  

  • Mix-method research is conducted with displaced and returning women and girls with a focus on Murzuq and Tawergha, comprising focus groups discussion and interviews 
  • A dissemination and sensitization workshop will be conducted with relevant national and local stakeholders (at least 15) where the research will be launched. The Research will be published online
  • Capacities built of 20 women in leadership and community engagement on gender-sensitive data collection and analysis and response
  • Platform created for internally displaced women’s and girls’ meaningful participation to raise their priorities with regards to, but not exclusively, durable solutions is promoted


Results from previous phases:  

Lack of disaggregated data is widely acknowledged in Libya (last census in 2006), including through UN’s assessments, both general and on IDPs. UN WOMEN wishes to focus on missing data on women and girls’ needs to better target their specific needs. UN WOMEN already advocates for this and is currently conducting research on the matter:

  • Analysis and mapping of Libyan women-led groups with regards to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda – financed by Finland, Germany and France 
  • Research on women’s participation in elections in Libya – financed by FCDO


PBF team – alongside RCO and dedicated Displacement and DS Specialist – have been part of the coordination team to set up the present intervention


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women


Other partners
Municipalities (mayors, municipal councils), Ministry of Local Governance (MolG), Women Empowerment Unit at the Murzuq Reconstruction Fund
Coordination with other projects and actors

Synergies: with UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF, IOM, and WFP) on efforts in the south via the PBF; with UNHCR, UNDP and INGOs in Tawergha, and with REACH and IOM-DTM on the data collection exercise Murzuq

Coordination: UNCT Libya’s Area Coordination Group (ACG) and Durable Solutions Working Group (IDDS)

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    143’833 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    140’538 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   143’833
Project phases Phase 1 01.10.2023 - 31.03.2025   (Current phase)