Working Women and their Rights in the Workplace

This book addresses women’s rights to work and motherhood in Libya from a legal and international human rights perspective. In an attempt to solve the problem posed by the perception that there is an unsolvable conflict between the right of women to work and their right to motherhood, the author considers how these two sets of rights, as protected under international human rights law, can and should be recognised and promoted within the Libyan legal system. Including first-hand accounts of experiences of Libyan women, the study voices their struggle for their rights as guaranteed by domestic law, international conventions and Islam. Providing a rare insight into a region striving to find its new identity, the author assesses the adequacy of existing Libyan laws and, where warranted, offers proposals for legislative amendments to Libyan policy makers and its new Parliament at such a crucial time in the nation’s history.

’This wonderful book brings together the best traditions of international human rights law and law and society scholarship to illuminate a topic of great importance. It is a major contribution to the ongoing struggle for full recognition of the rights of working women, in Libya and across the globe.’ Luke McNamara, University of Wollongong, Australia ’Who would have known that Libya under the late Muammar Gaddafi had produced an impressive array of laws and policies regarding working women and had signed most of the significant international treaties? In this impeccably researched study, Naiema Al-Hadad introduces us to the many laws pertaining to women, work, and family; shows the gaps between the national and international frameworks; and highlights inconsistencies, lax enforcement, and non-compliance. The rich interview data with working mothers elucidate the dilemmas they encounter in trying to balance work and family - dilemmas that are likely not to be resolved in the chaotic post-Gaddafi era.’ Valentine M. Moghadam, Northeastern University, USA 'A rigorous and lively study of women's rights is a rare and much appreciated experience. This is particularly the case where good national and international legal scholarship is combined with a deep cultural understanding and considerable research including interviews. Al-Hadad's book offers insights about and for law and legislation around women's rights in Libya but it is so rich in detail and insight it should be compulsory reading for all scholars interested in the struggle for women's rights across the world.' Diana Kelly, University of Wollongong, Australia

Naeima Faraj A.A. Al-Hadad, is Assistant Professor in International Human Rights Law in the Department of Public Law, College of Law, University of Bahrain.