There are no legal restrictions on women’s access to public space and freedom of movement, but societal norms can limit their right to move freely, especially in the evenings or in rural areas.^[75] It is also socially unacceptable for an unmarried or divorced woman to live on her own.^[76] There are similarly no legal requirements for women to obtain their husband’s or male guardian’s permission to secure a passport or travel independently, but social conventions mean that many women do not travel alone or without the permission of their husbands or families.^[77] In addition, it is difficult for women to travel on their own within Libya, as most hotels will not accept unaccompanied women.^[78]The 2013 IFES survey reports that 57% of women say they feel completely (37%) or somewhat (20%) restricted in leaving their houses without permission^[79] and both men (96%) and women (82%) agree “a good wife should obey her husband even if she disagrees.”^[80] Following the revolution, many families have imposed restrictions on women’s movements, due to security concerns, the circulation of stories of violence against women, and the uncertainty of a centralized authority for the military and police.^[81] According to the IFES survey, at least one in five women felt somewhat or completely restricted in associating with persons of her own choosing (24%), moving about in public areas without fear or pressure (29%), and expressing her views on critical issues to family, neighbours or friends (34%). However, an attempt to introduce legal restrictions on the freedom of movement of women outside the country in 2007 caused outcry, and was quickly overturned.^[82] 

Although women turned out in relatively high numbers to vote in the 2012 elections (66%, compared to 88% of men), their levels of participation in civic activities, where they might express their views on social and political issues is relatively low: according to the 2013 IFES survey, 20% of women reported taking part in such activities within the past 12 months.^[83] Only 10% reported taking part in a protest, march or demonstrate in the past 12 months, and 8% have done so over a year ago.^[84]

As Libya transitions out of the 42-year of autocratic rule under the Qadhafi regime, women have actively sought participation in the drafting process of the new constitution and in the formation of government policies, including the recent 2012 electoral law.^[85] There are quotas at both national and sub-national levels. According to the electoral law, the General National Congress consists of 200 members, 120 of whom are elected by majority or a single non-transferable vote system (depending on whether the district is single-member or multi-member). The remaining 80 members are to be elected by proportional representation from closed electoral lists which must, according to Article 15 of the 2012 law, ‘be arranged on the basis of alternation among male and female candidates, vertically and horizontally. Lists that do not respect such principle shall not be accepted’.^[86] As of the 2012 elections, there were 33 women in the 200 member General National Congress (or 16.5% of the total)^[87]and women held two seats in the transitional cabinet.^[88] While the majority of men and women in Libya express support for women in different political roles, most men and women also believe that men make better political leaders and better business executives than women.^[89]

Pregnant women are entitled to 50 days paid maternity leave in Libya, and discrimination based on gender in employment and pay is banned under the Labour Law (1970),^[90]although survey data indicates a significant disparity in earned incomes between the sexes, even when controlling for educational attainment.^[91] Under the Labour Law, women are prohibited from working in ‘strenuous or hazardous’ jobs, from working at night, or from working more than 48 hours a week, including overtime.^[92] Women also face pressure from husbands and family members not to enter professions where they will be mixing with men, and to work close to home; inevitably, these stipulations limit women’s employment options.^[93] Women’s labour force participation is significantly lower than men’s, with 43% of women reporting work for pay in the last week compared to 66% of men.^[94] In addition, many women leaders have expressed frustration with male colleagues who refuse to acknowledge them in supervisory roles.^[95], ^[96]

Since the adoption of the 2010 Provisions of Libyan Nationality (Art. 11), Libyan women who marry foreign men may pass on their citizenship to their children.^[97]