The Centre for Women's Development and Training was planned as a socio-economic project that aims at women’s economic empowerment and promoting female entrepreneurship. The center provides job matching services and capacity development courses that include trainings on various scientific and social topics as well as recreational activities that target the wellbeing of the beneficiaries.
The project is part of the European Union and Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)- funded "Support to Municipalities" programme in Libya, which is implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Libyan Ministry of Local Governance and the Municipality of Hay Al-Andalus. Other key stakeholders included the local civil society, the office of women’s empowerment in the presidential council, the Ministry of Labour and businessmen in the municipality.
The municipality of Hay Al-Andalus is located in the northwest of the capital Tripoli. It has a population of 340,000 people and is the third largest municipality in terms of population in Libya.
The civil war has had a disastrous impact on the infrastructure and lives of the local population. Many women found themselves as the single breadwinners in their households, yet they cannot find suitable employment opportunities in a safe environment.
To address this shortage and the pressing need to promote female livelihood opportunities, Hay Al-Andalus Women's Training and Development Centre was established as a place that meets the needs of women in this city.
Establishing a Training and Development Center to strengthen the social and economic ability of women in the local community of Hay Al-Andalus to meet their essential needs in a sustainable manner. Among the targeted women are women with disabilities, widows, and those who were internally-displaced due to the civil war.
The high engagement and full cooperation of the municipality and all relevant stakeholders was key in the success of this good practice example. Nevertheless, there is still the need for a supporting environment to ensure the promotion of female employment and entrepreneurship for women. This can be achieved by legislating a ministerial law that guarantees the leading role and rights of women in the management of the Center.
GIZ: Supporting good governance in Libya
Youtube: Support to Municipalities in Libya
Arabische Version: دعم البلديات، وتحسين الخدمات البلدية
Published: 21/12/2020
Ms. Souad Bin Khalifa
Lead trainer and Strategic Council member
Eng.Suheir Al-Madani
Urban planning and development advisor