Reply #10: Q&A: UNHCR team helps women in eastern Libya

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Source: UNHCR

6 July 2011


BENGHAZI, Libya, July 5 (UNHCR) – The UN refugee agency is part of a UN mission deployed in the eastern Libyan port of Benghazi to assist civilians affected by the conflict. The small UNHCR team includes four women who are working to support forcibly displaced Libyans, with a focus on women's protection. Reem Alsalem, who heads the UNHCR team in Benghazi, has been working with UNHCR since 1999. She has worked in the field and in UNHCR's Geneva headquarters, mainly as a protection officer. She now heads the agency's office in Barranquilla, northern Colombia. Alsalem spoke recently by phone with UNHCR's social media coordinator, Alexandra Eurdolian. Excerpts from the interview:

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Can you describe some of the Libyan women you have met?

Recently, we spoke to a female cleaner about life in Libya and how things have changed for women. As with any country in conflict, there are always pros and cons. On one hand, at least in the east, many women and men feel a lot freer and proud of what their people have achieved. On the other hand they fear for their future security. There are also economic difficulties because their husbands are not working. Women find that they have to go out and work and fend for their families. Like this cleaner, she was the only income earner for her family.


At the same time, there is a huge sense of solidarity and compassion towards each other and also to the larger Arab nation because of what's happening in the region. But they are also aware that this is the first time Libyans have become displaced and they are keen to know and to learn how other countries have responded. I am amazed by the level of openness from the local authorities and average people. We have tried to respond and have conducted three training sessions for the Ministry of Justice, local authorities and NGOs.

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http://www.unhcr.org/4e1451586.html