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Conflict overviewLibya continues to be divided among three governments, all of which refuse to seize power. After the revolution and fall of al Qadafhi in 2011, the country saw its first division of power in 2014. The General National Congress (GNC), based in Tripoli, refused to step down for the newly elected House of Representatives (HoR), based in Tobruk. Following the brokered Libyan Political Agreement between the two parties, the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) came into the mix in early 2016, which is also based in Tripoli. All three governments exert little power over the reality on the ground, as a myriad of armed groups are fighting for control. The Libyan National Army (LNA) is led by Khalifa Haftar, who is seen as allied with the HoR. The LNA enjoys popularity in eastern Libya, but has many opposing armed groups in the west. In addition to the battle for power, a myriad of armed groups including the LNA are fighting for control over Libya’s lucrative oil grounds, adding to further instability (Critical Threats 06/2018).The power vacuums left by the quarreling parties give rise to myriad of Islamic movements, including Islamic State. Generally, Libya has a long history of migrant labor which largely started with al-Qaddafi’s view on pan-Africanism; migrant labor still continues to play an important part in Libya’s economy despite the ongoing conflict. The absence of rule of law has given way to numerous smugglers who capitalize on migration routes from Africa to Europe. Migrants attempting to cross through Libya are subject to grave human rights violations (ACAPS 06/2016).Humanitarian profileAs of August 2018, there are at least 193,500 IDPs. Approximately 90% of IDPs are displaced due to conflict. An estimated 49% of IDPs are male, 51% are female. Around 50% of IDPs are under the age of 18, 41% are aged 18–59, the remainder are over 60. IDPs are generally dispersed among host communities: 70% live in self-paid rented accommodation (DTM 23/08/2018). Source: DTM 23/08/2018A further 382,200 returnees have been identified as of August. Of these, 51% were in eastern Libya, 41% in the west and the remainder in the south. People report mainly returning due to conflict de-escalation in certain areas of the country. IDP returnees are mostly located in Benghazi, Sirte, and Ubari (DTM 23/08/2018). IDPs and IDP returnees. Source: DTM 23/08/2018As of June 2018, a further estimated 680,000 migrants are in the country. In addition, an estimated 55,600 asylum-seekers and refugees are in Libya (UNHCR 24/09/2018). An estimated 60% of migrants are from sub-Saharan countries. -594995-109093000IOM 31/07/2018Operational constraintsOperational constraints in Libya are plenty: security and physical constraints including the presence of UXOs, IEDs, abduction and kidnapping of humanitarian personnel, and violent conflict all severely hinder humanitarian operations. This, paired with administrative constraints such as interference with humanitarian activities, have led many organizations to carry out operations from Tunisia. Key pre-crisis figures/baselineMENWOMENMaternal mortality rate?U5MChild mortality rateLiteracy rate women (15–24)Literacy rate men (15–24) (2014)96.1%83.7%Households using wood for fuelContraception prevalence rateSource: World Bank 2014Gender roles and responsibilitiesControl of resources: Although women have the legal right to access financial services, mostly men are accessing finances. In the household, in most cases, however, husbands or fathers take responsibility for any financial undertakings and commitments, and may also expect women to hand over their income. In marriage, husbands may entitle their wives to finance support and control over her own income and assets (UK Government Report 2018). Men dominating finances continues to persist as the acceptable view: a 2017 survey showed that only around 50% of men believe men and women should have an equal say in household finances (UNFPA 2017). Division of (domestic) labour: Domestic responsibilities in terms of childcare are all for women (UK Government Report 2018). Working outside the house is generally considered a man’s affair. This includes getting food outside the home (UNFPA 2017). Marriage: Wives are legally obliged to ensure their husbands enjoy comfort and are in good physical and psychological well-being.ives are placed under legal obligation to ensure the comfort, physical and psychological well-being of their husbands, and to assume all domestic and childcare responsibilities; in return, she is entitled to financial support from her husband, control over her own income and assets, and the right to be free from psychological or physical violence. In terms of parental authority, under Islamic law, the father is considered the natural guardian of his children, the mother the physical custodian. In the event of divorce, custody is often awarded to the mother until daughters marry and until sons reach puberty and move in with their fathers (UK Government Report 2018). Only approximately 40% of men believe that women have equal rights to request a divorce. This increases up to 80% for women (UNFPA 2017). Polygamy is legal in Libya.Freedom of movement: A patriarchal society, women and girls in Libya face restrictions in their freedom of movement. This limits women and girls’ exposure to the public as they are mostly expected to stay inside. This especially holds true for divorced women (UNFPA 2017).Most recently, the Libya National Army in 2017 proposed laws that would curb the freedom of movement of women and girls in eastern Libya. Women who wished to travel abroad by air, land, or sea, were required to be escorted by a male guardian. Though this was retracted after heavy protests, a subsequent law proposed that all men and women aged 18–45 require security clearance to travel from east Libya. This effectively means that women are not allowed to leave this area (HRW 2018). However, both men and women have expressed through surveys (2018) that they do not favor women traveling alone. In the conflict situation, this may also not be possible (UNFPA 2017). Decision making: According to a 2017 survey by UNFPA, only around 50% of men believe that women should have the right to choose their own clothing. Among women, this is almost 70% (UNFPA 2017).Participation: Women’s participation in decision-making, whether at local or higher political levels, is not generally accepted. Two main examples are the murders of two well-known female activists who argued for the inclusion of women in politics (UK Government Report 2018).Justice and reportingThe judicial system and laws in Libya point to a society where women have limited freedoms. Though means of seeking justice for GBV survivors have ceased to exist due to the near-complete collapse of the system since the escalation of conflict, the situation prior to the collapse points out that discriminatory laws towards women and girls have long been in place. Current situation: Due to the conflict and the absence of authority, the absence of rule of law in Libya has permeated society. The role of the judiciary remains unclear without a permanent constitution. Its functioning is severely hampered by ongoing fighting and insecurity, as well as by politicization. Criminal justice mechanisms are fragmented or nonoperational, leaving victims with few avenues for recourse. In some cases, nonstate dispute mechanisms have filled the void. Judges, prosecutors, and police officers have faced threats and attacks (Freedom House 2016; HRW 2018). This means it is very unlikely women and girls would report crimes of GBV and sexual violence to authorities, as the system is dysfunctional and non-operational. In addition, as many cases of GBV inside marriage and the household are considered private affairs, and women (and their sexuality) are regulated and monitored by society (see community perceptions), many people tend to believe that GBV matters should be reported to family only. This is also to avoid public embarrassment (UNFPA 2017). However, the belief that GBV cases should only be discussed privately is highly likely to contribute to heavily underreported instances of GBV. Violence outside the household, especially sexual violence, is more frowned upon. As a tribal society, respondents to the survey thought that tribal leaders would solve crimes of sexual violence between fellow tribe members. When a male perpetrator would not be from the same tribe, respondents thought this could cause tension between tribes or lead to the blame being put on the survivor due to a lack of evidence (UNFPA 2017).Armed groups, militia, and authorities, have all been accused of engaging in sexual violence including rape. Formal and comprehensive laws to criminalize trafficking are inexistent. Although some steps have been taken to reduce the number of human rights violations including rape, such as the closure of detention centers in Surman and Tariq al-Sikkah, both notorious for centers were sexual violence and rape were widespread, perpetrators for such acts seemingly have impunity, as none have been held accountable or have been put on trial for any alleged crimes (Report of the Secretary General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence 23/03/2018). ComInterpretations of Sharia law are being held up in areas where IS or other Islamist groups are operating. This means people are jailed or suffer repercussions for a variety of violations, including immodest dress and adultery (Human Rights Watch 2016). Areas outside of Islamist control also have laws passed that are discriminatory to women: two laws were proposed that limit women’s freedom of movement (HRW 2018). omPrior to the escalation of conflict: Prior to the collapse of the judicial system, laws were already discriminating women and girls, which has an effect on their status in society. Sexual relations outside marriage are criminalized in Libya (Report of the Secretary General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence 23/03/2018). This in effect has resulted in men receiving reduced sentences for killing wives or female relatives when they are suspected to have extramarital sexual relations. Rapists could escape conviction if they married their rape survivors. Rape survivors could even be accused of extramarital having sex. Sexual violence is not criminalized as a crime against women as individuals, but rather as “crimes against freedom, honor, and morality”. Personal status laws discriminate women with respect to marriage, divorce, and inheritance (Human Rights Watch 2016; UNFPA 2017).ComCommunity perceptionsCommunity and GBV: Communities scrutinize and monitor women’s behavior in public settings. Amidst ongoing conflict, women active in public life and women’s rights defenders are targeted by non-state armed groups as well as the Libyan National Army (Report of the Secretary General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence 23/03/2018). Activists, rights defenders, and journalists face GBV themselves in the form of physical assault, abduction, and sexual violence (UNFPA 2017).A woman’s purity and sexual engagements are of concern to the entire family and community. This is apparent in tests that women are subjected to: those who are suspected to have engaged in extramarital sexual relationships are subjected to ‘virginity tests’ (Report of the Secretary General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence 23/03/2018).Marriage is considered a private affair. This means domestic violence, rape, and other forms of GBV whether inside or outside the home are considered private affairs and are rarely discussed publicly (UK Government Report 2018). This contributes to a high degree of stigmatization of women who are GBV survivors. Women and girls who report instances of domestic violence reportedly fear they will be rejected by their husbands and community (UK Government Report 2018). This illustrated by a survey carried out by UNFPA: Though men and women reported they think a survivor of GBV should tell someone, they also think this should be told to someone in the family (UNFPA 2017).Next to stigmatization however, honor killings have been cited as being enacted in reaction to survivors of GBV. Women who have been raped and reveal this to family members or others in the community, risk being killed over being a survivor (Women’s Media Center 2012).GBV protection needsGBV is reportedly widespread in the conflict, and takes various forms. Approximately 40% of respondents to a 2017 survey indicated GBV was either very common or common. Women and girls who dare to speak out against the Libyan National Army for example, are threatened, kidnapped, physically assaulted, raped, or killed. Families of people speaking out for women’s rights are threatened into silence. Women and girls fear expressing their opinions as it might end up getting them killed (UNFPA 2017).Though the need for psychosocial support is estimated to be high, given the assumption that GBV is widespread, women and girls reportedly fear accessing such services out of fear of being recognized as a GBV survivor. In addition, it is difficult for women and girls to access services without the permission of their husband or male relative (UK Government Report 2018). 87% of female respondents to a survey indicated that they needed permission from a spouse or parents to access health services. Other data also suggests that women do not access health services out of fear for stigma, gossip, or a lack of confidentiality in those services. In addition, an estimated 70% of respondents to a 2017 survey do not know about any community based organization in their community providing services (UNFPA 2017). According to a 2017 survey by UNFPA, psychological issues are believed to be the most important factors contributing to GBV. The consumption of intoxicating produce, the widespread ignorance of GBV among the society and not least, financial distress and the connected inability of male heads of households to meet their family’s financial needs. The data shows no direct link between GBV and an environment of conflict. However, many of the contributing factors mentioned are more prevalent in a conflict environment, meaning that conflict might still function as an underlying factor.Given that views in society are largely that women and girls should not engage in work outside the home; it is likely to be difficult to find female staff for setting up programs targeting GBV survivors.Sexual violence: The extent of sexual violence in the Libyan conflict is unknown. In a 2017 survey, respondents indicated thinking sexual violence was the least common form of GBV (UNFPA 2017). Qualitative data however suggests that sexual violence is widespread: women, girls, boys, and men are sexually assaulted and raped. Especially women and girls suffer from rape as it has long been used as a weapon of war. Given that a woman’s honor is held in high regard within families and even whole communities, rape is used to shame entire communities. Women and girls are subject to sexual violence, including rape, in numerous instances. Detention centers: Held in precarious conditions, migrants and refugees including women and girls are often in unsafe environments where they suffer ill treatment. Women and girls who end up in cells have reported being taken out of their cells by authorities, to be raped by multiple perpetrators or sexually assaulted. In addition, some detention centers do not separate male, female, or child prisoners, which leads to women, girls, and boys further being exposed to GBV risks. Women and girls who are not separated from men in detention centers reportedly further suffer from acts of GBV, including strip searches in front of men at the hands of largely male guards. Staff in detention centers is largely male, exposing women and girls further to risk of GBV. This includes mutilation of genitals and rape. Sexual violence is also used as a form of torture against male prisoners. Male detainees have described being sodomized as well as forced to rape female prisoners (Sayed 2014; Report of the Secretary General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence 23/03/2018; GDP 08/2018).Rape and sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls for speaking out against armed groups including the LNA, or for advocating for women and girls’ rights.Rape and sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls who are in captivity of Islamist groups.Children in camps without parental supervision who are more prone to sexual exploitation and violence at the hands of male relatives or neighbors (UNFPA 2017). Domestic violence is believed to be widespread though there is no quantitative data on its extent. However, numerous human rights organizations have voiced concern over the existence of domestic violence in Libya’s highly patriarchal society. In 2014, an estimated 28% of women thought it was justifiable for a man to beat his wife in certain instances. When given specific scenarios, the share of both men and women who believe domestic violence is always or sometimes justified increases. For example, 52% of men and 41% of women would justify a husband beating his wife if she went out without telling him, while only 24% of women and 30% of men would reject domestic violence in any of the listed scenarios (e.g. neglecting household responsibilities, being disobedient to the husband, neglecting children, etc.) (UK Government Report 2018). 31% of respondents to a survey in 2018 responded that physical abuse, especially in domestic setting, is very common or common. Respondents also highlighted that children can also be beaten by parents, who view this as a way of instilling discipline (UNFPA 2017).Child marriage: Early marriage prior to the escalation of conflict was relatively rare: 2.4% of women aged 15 – 19 were married in 2006. However, 49% of respondents to a 2017 survey indicated thinking that marriage of individuals under 20 years old was one of the most common forms of GBV (UNFPA 2017).Trafficking: The extent of trafficking is unknown, but it is widely reported that Libya is a hub for smuggling and trafficking of migrants and refugees attempting to reach Europe. In cities like Benghazi, 73% of respondents to a 2017 survey believe trafficking takes place in their surroundings (UNFPA 2017). Trafficking is paired with numerous human rights abuses and acts of GBV. Not only are refugees and migrants subjected to torture, starvation, and other abuse, women and girls are at risk of rape and sexual abuse at the hands of smugglers and traffickers.When arbitrarily detained and put in detention cells, women and girls – as described above – are subject to further rape and sexual abuse by authorities, militia, and other armed groups. Migrants and refugees are also abducted and kidnapped, tortured and threatened for ransom money. Women and girls have reportedly been sold into sexual slavery (Report of the Secretary General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence 23/03/2018).Abduction and kidnapping: Women face abduction and kidnapping, not only by smugglers and traffickers, but also by Islamic groups including Islamic State and affiliate groups. Women and girls who have been freed from Islamic State or affiliate group captivity can be subject to detention. For example, 117 women who were freed from captivity after security operations against IS in Misratah, were transferred to detention centers. While some were released and freed from terrorism charges, others remain in detention without judicial review, despite having suffered physical and sexual abuse at the hands of IS and affiliates (Report of the Secretary General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence 23/03/2018). Children in particular were also highlighted as being at risk of being trafficked (UNFPA 2017). Due to the ongoing acute cash shortages in the liquidity crisis, migrants feel they are at an even more increased risk of kidnapping as criminals know migrants are paid in cash for their daily labor and will not have other places to store their cash, making them easy targets (UNHCR 06/2018).Coping mechanisms: There is limited evidence on coping mechanisms related to GBV, such as women and girls engaging in survival sex. Those who would engage in these acts, would have to tread carefully as they would not only face stigmatization, but also risk being killed.Forced marriage has been mentioned as a coping mechanism in relation to poverty, as marriage can elevate the financial status of a woman’s family (UNFPA 2017). Intersectoral GBV needsFood security and livelihoods: Food is consistently ranked as a top priority need among IDPs (DTM 23/08/2018). High food prices serve as a major barrier to obtaining food commodities. Food prices are rising as imports have decreased due to conflict (WFP 07/2018). Acute shortages of cash means withdrawals at banks are restricted, causing people to be unable to access their salaries (UNHCR 06/2018). Similarly, during protection monitoring exercises in Benghazi, IDP households indicate not having enough money to fulfill their basic needs, and a further 33% of assessed households reported being in debt (REACH 07/2018). Although detailed information on coping mechanisms is scarce, typically people facing food insecurity engage in negative coping mechanisms in order to obtain food. Food insecurity could lead to increased sexual exploitation and abuse for women and girls who may need to engage in negative coping mechanisms to obtain income. Getting food is usually considered a man’s affair, however women have increasingly had to queue in line to receive food distributions. For IDPs who can still leave camps in order to get money from banks, women have increasingly had to wait in line as men are reportedly scared to go to banks out of fear of being arrested (UNFPA 2017). Water, sanitation and hygiene: In detention centers, latrines and sanitary kits may not always be available (DTM 08/2018). As women and men are detained together in some detention centers, the lack of separation of latrines and bathing facilities increases the risk of GBV. According to FGDs in 2018, the lack of separated latrines and bathing facilities in IDP sites also contributes to the risk of GBV (UNFPA 2017).Health: In Baladayas, 55% of hospitals were assessed as fully operational, 39% partially operational and 6% were inoperational. Public health centers and clinics were fully operational in 55% of municipalities, 33% were partially operational with 12% inoperational (22 municipalities). Private health centers and clinics illustrated 68% fully operational capacity, 29% partially operational with 3% classified as inoperational facilities (16 municipalities) as of August 2018 (DTM 23/08/2018). However, even with operational health facilities, women and girls are required to ask permission from their husbands or male relatives in order to visit health clinics and therefore experience constraints in going. Given that much of GBV also occurs within the family home, women are unlikely to receive such permission. In addition, women’s health is unlikely to be prioritized as a household expensive given that men largely control the resources. Further evidence from surveys and FGDs suggest that women tend not to access health services for seeking help for GBV or reproductive health out of fear for stigma, gossip, or a lack of confidentiality at the services (UNFPA 2017). The lack of accessing services, especially for survivors of rape means clinical management of rape is unlikely to take place, and also heightens the risk of the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Shelter: An estimated 22% of IDPs are located in informal settlements, unfinished buildings, abandoned buildings, public buildings, are without accommodation, or other arrangements (DTM 23/08/2018). The need for shelter is high IDPs in these situations, particularly for those without accommodation, in abandoned or unfinished buildings, and in informal makeshift settlements. Evictions from sites recur frequently, often accompanied with violence (DRC 08/2018).Newly displaced but also longer-term IDPs still face shortcomings in shelter; families sleep in buildings or sites without access to water, sleep out in the open, or in unfinished or empty buildings without services or safety (DRC 08/2018). This increases the risk of GBV. CCCM: IDPs have highlighted the lack of safety and security in their locations. IDPs highlight that sometimes, because they are IDPs, they are seen as collaborators and endorsers of the former regime. IDPs feel like they need to express consenting opinions within their host communities, in order not to be attacked (UNFPA 2017; Amnesty International 08/2018). Nutrition: Pregnant and lactating women and girls are among migrants and refugees in detention centers. Though food services may be available, supplementary feeding for both children and PLWs often is not (DTM 08/2018).Education: #of children without education – how many are girls/boys? Access to schools? Sufficient female teachers? Gender segregated toilets? Cultural norms preventing girls/adolescent girls to attend? If young mothers, possibility to attend school? Housework/other activities preventing children to attend? Sufficient attention to hygiene practices (eg menstruation) to ensure adolescent girls attend? If boys/girls drop out of school, what are associated GBV risks? Protection: The problem of trafficking and smuggling in Libya leads to numerous protection concerns. Migrants and refugees have been kidnapped, abducted, tortured, and sold into slavery at open markets. Libya has criminalized irregular entry into its territory, meaning migrants and refugees can face detention for being in the country. The Department of Combating Illegal Migration is charged with overseeing illegal migration. Government officials have been found complicit in engaging in sexual violence and other violations (Report of the Secretary General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence 23/03/2018).Smuggling and trafficking: Though the extent of smuggling and trafficking is unknown, Libya is known to be a hub for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Smugglers and traffickers capitalize on the power vacuum left by the fighting authorities. Migrants and refugees suffer torture, sexual abuse, starvation, and other abuses at the hands of their smugglers and traffickers. The European Union works together with Libyan authorities to halt migration to European soil. The Libyan Coast Guard is a spill in this – acting as the authorities that reportedly cooperate with smuggling networks. The Coast Guard acts recklessly towards migrants and refugees at sea, intercepting boats and at times even complicit in leaving migrants and refugees to drown. Once migrants and refugees are intercepted and brought back to Libyan shores, they are put in detention centers (Amnesty International 12/2017).Detention centers: An estimated 20,000 migrants and refugees are held in detention centers as of late 2017. It is often unclear why migrants and refugees are detained, as their detention is believed to be arbitrary. Conditions in detention centers are extremely unsanitary, and give way to grave human rights violations. Staff in detention centers is largely male. Detention centers are officially under control of the Department to Combat Irregular Migration, but in reality are often run by different militia and armed groups, who reportedly subject migrants and refugees to torture, rape, and other human rights violations (Amnesty 12/2017).Other reasons for people to end up in detention centers are if they are linked to other warring factions, or are believed to be linked to IS. Defense and interior ministries of all governments hold an unknown number of people in detention centers, next to militia-run secret facilities. Among migrant detainees, the prospect of release is bleak as they have uncertain citizenship status and there is a lack of coordination with the country of origin (HRW 2018). Child protection: child headed households. Separated/unaccompanied children? Do child friendly spaces exist? Children left unattended and associated risks? Child recruitment into armed groups and associated GBV risks? Are boys/girls engaged in child labour and what are the associated gbv risks? Child marriage occurrence? What are specific needs for adolescent girls, boys, younger girls/boys?Information gaps and needsLack of sex and age disaggregated data No information on protection and GBV risks at night in all types of IDP settingsLimited data on the different forms of GBV taking place Lack of Focus Group Discussions among all population groups (IDPs, migrants, host communities, refugees) on perceptions to GBV, feelings of safety, occurrence of GBV. It is for example likely that GBV is perceived differently among host community and migrants.The extent to which women and girls engage in survival sex as a coping mechanismPsychosocial needs that emerge for GBV survivors The extent to which trafficking and smuggling occurs No reports on sexual and reproductive health needs of women Large gap of underreporting of GBV incidents due to severe stigma and danger of exposing GBVA lack of proxy indicators monitoring the risk of GBV in displacement settings, such as locks at latrines, adequate lighting at WASH facilities, privacy in shelter, etc. Lack of data on substance abuse Limitationsleft215265This short document has been made based on a review that took place over the course of one day. This means more information is likely available that has not been put in the review. Humanitarian access continues to be interrupted, meaning data on the humanitarian situation, including in-depth data on GBV, remains sparse.00This short document has been made based on a review that took place over the course of one day. This means more information is likely available that has not been put in the review. Humanitarian access continues to be interrupted, meaning data on the humanitarian situation, including in-depth data on GBV, remains sparse.-8255172085003521075762000371602076200039046157620004104005762000 ................
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