Rape is a taboo subject in the the conservative North African country

German ambassador Christian Much launches the first of 50,000 SMSs messages for Libyan women’s rights (Photo: Sami Zaptia).

Having arrived in Libya over 18 months ago, my overwhelming first impression was how “male” Libyan society appeared to be, both at an expat and national level. It took some time for me to peel back the veneer of the male dominated social sphere and meet the hidden half of …

The second anniversary of Libya’s liberation this year was not like that of last year. On Oct. 23, Libya was a different state from the one envisioned in the draft constitution known as the “National Charter of the Libyan State.” The draft constitution stipulates that all Libyans are equal before the law and everyone …

“I have waited my whole life for tomorrow, which will be a new day for Libya,” an elated Haja Nowara told Human Rights Watch on the eve of Libya’s first democratic national elections in July 2012. “We sacrificed a lot to get here.”

The UN has called for rules to be put in place to ensure that a sufficient number of women are elected to the 60-member Constitutional Commission.