Decree No. (135) of 2009 on the adoption of the by-laws  for women’s associations and organizations, and the general union thereof

Secretariat of the General People’s Congress

Decree No. (135) 1375 FDP / 2009 AD

on the adoption of the by-laws for women’s associations and organizations,
and the general union thereof

The Secretariat of the General People’s Congress,

Upon review of:

• Law No. (1) of 1375 FDP on the rules of procedure of the People’s Congresses and the People’s Committees, and the implementing regulations thereof;

• Law No. (20) of 1369 FDP on women’s associations;

• The minutes of the meeting of the Secretariat of the General People’s Congress No. (16) of 1377 FDP;

has decreed:

Article (1)

The by-laws for women’s associations and organizations and the general union thereof appended hereto shall be adopted.

Article (2)

This Law shall come into force on the date of its issue, and shall be published in the Legal Register.

The Secretariat of the General People’s Congress – Libya

Issued in: Tripoli

On: 02 Rajab

Corresponding to: 24 June 1377 FDP / 2009 AD

By-Laws

for Women’s Associations and Organizations

Chapter (1)

Establishment

Article (1)

Establishment of the General Union for Women’s Associations and Organizations

The General Union for Women’s Associations and Organizations shall be established in accordance with Law No. (20) of 1369 FDP on the regulation of women’s associations issued on 14 Shawwal, corresponding to 28 December 1369 FDP / 2001 AD, the implementing regulations issued under Secretariat of the General People’s Congress Decree No. (92) of 1370 FDP dated 10 Rabi’ al-Awwal, corresponding to 22 May 1370 FDP / 2002 AD.

Article (2)

Legal Entity and Financial Standing

The General Union for Women’s Associations and Organizations shall each [sic] have an independent legal entity and financial liability.

Article (3)

General Union Headquarters

The main headquarters for the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be in the city of Tripoli, and branches thereof may be established within the Great Jamahiriya in accordance with work requirements, pursuant to a decree from the Secretariat of the General Union.

Chapter (2)

Goals

Article (4)

The goal of the General Union is to promote women and the family and strengthen their social, cultural, and economic role in society through women’s associations and organizations by achieving the following goals:

1. Develop, protect, and defend the historical, cultural, national, and religious identity of the Libyan people.
2. Address family affairs and provide the possible services for economic, social, and cultural improvement.
3. Mobilize and urge women to attend sessions of the Basic People’s Congresses, to assert and strengthen the authority of the people.
4. Advocate the jamahiriyan philosophy of the Green Book, which protects the humanity, dignity, and the special social role of women, domestically and internationally.
5. Raise awareness among women of the social and cultural situation, and create appropriate conditions for women to perform their role in society, especially in the field of work and production.
6. Help women break into various fields and advance them in leadership positions.
7. Empower women to make serious contributions to the implementation of revolutionary programs, in coordination with the relevant bodies, as relates to women’s affairs.
8. Protect women’s rights, defend women’s interests, and propose methods for dealing with the problems they face.

Chapter (3)

Membership

Article (5)

Conditions for membership in a women’s association are as follows:

1. Must be a Libyan citizen.
2. Must believe in the ideas and goals of the great 1 September Revolution.
3. Must reside within the jurisdiction of the Basic People’s Congress where the association is located, or work at a production or service site where the association’s main headquarters is located.
4. Must pledge to work to implement and achieve the association’s goals.
5. Must not be less than eighteen years of age.
6. Must hold, at minimum, a basic education certificate.
7. Must be of good character and conduct and not convicted of a felony or a misdemeanour of moral turpitude.

Article (6)

Loss and Forefeiture of Membership

Membership in a women’s association or organization or the General Union shall be lost in the following circumstances:

• Absence from meetings without an acceptable excuse, as follows:
  • For associations, three consecutive meetings.
  • For organizations, two consecutive meetings.
  • The annual ordinary meeting of the General Union for Women’s Associations.
• Resignation.
• Death.

Membership in a women’s association or organization or the General Union shall be forfeited in the following circumstances:

• Issuance of a final conviction for a felony or a misdemeanour of moral turpitude.
• Loss of one of the membership conditions.
• Imposition of a penalty that results in lapse of membership pursuant to a decision from the competent body, at the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee.

Article (7)

Membership Record

A record of membership in women’s associations, organizations, and the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be kept wherein the members of each are recorded in ascending order from of the date of joining, and containing in particular the member’s full name, place of birth, civil status, number of family members, ID number, academic credentials and specialization and date such credentials were received, job or profession, employer, and place of residence.

Registration shall not be completed until it is confirmed that all membership conditions have been met and the membership fee paid.

Chapter (4)

Organizational Structure of the General Union for Women’s Associations

Article (8)

The organizational structure of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be as follows:

1. Women’s Associations
2. Women’s Organizations
3. The General Union for Women’s Associations

Article (9)

Women’s Associations

Women’s associations shall consist of women from each Basic People’s Congress in the Great Jamahiriya or a production or service work site, on condition that it has no less than fifty (50) members.

Production and service work sites of a similar nature may form one association if each individual site does not meet the required number.

Article (10)

Competencies of the Association Congress

The association congress shall exercise all competencies related to women and family affairs that fall under the framework of achieving the goals set out in the aforementioned Law No. (20) of 1369 FDP and the implementing regulations thereof and may, in particular, undertake the following:

1. Propose drawing up the association’s by-laws and make any amendments thereto.
2. Select the Congress Secretariat and monitor the work thereof, hold it accountable and make dismissals, and accept resignations and fill vacant positions therein.
3. Prepare the association’s annual work programs.
4. Research and discuss the subjects on its agenda related to women and family affairs.
5. Research and study the subjects proposed thereto by the women’s organization or the General Union for Women’s Associations.
6. Study the report on the activities of the Congress and its Secretariat.

Article (11)

Ordinary and Extraordinary Congress Meetings

The Congress shall hold its ordinary meetings quarterly every three months, by an invitation from the secretary that states the location, time, and subjects on the agenda.

The Congress may hold an extraordinary meeting called by the secretary or at the request of two-thirds of its members, the women’s organization secretariat, or the General Union for Women’s Associations. The invitation must state the subjects proposed at the meeting and the Congress may not discuss any other matters.

Article (12)

Congress Resolutions

Congress resolutions shall be issued by consensus of the members in attendance at the meeting. If such is not possible, the Congress will be called to convene a following session, and resolutions in this session shall be issued by a majority of the members in attendance.

Article (13)

The Congress shall select a secretariat for the association from among its members. The selection shall be made directly by a method of nomination and comparison of nominated members. The secretariat shall have five (5) members, namely:

• Association Secretary

• Association Assistant Secretary

• Secretary of Civil Status Affairs

• Secretary of Education, Training, and Health Care Affairs

• Secretary of Cultural Affairs

Article (14)

Secretariat Term

The term of the secretariat shall be four (4) years. This term may be renewed for a similar period one time only.

Article (15)

Competencies of the Association Secretariat

The association secretariat shall exercise the following competencies:

• Call association Congress meetings, establish the agenda thereof, and conduct its meetings.

• Implement and monitor Congress resolutions with the related bodies.

• Implement the resolutions of the women’s organization located within its jurisdiction, as well as those of the General Union for Women’s Associations.

• Propose work programs to achieve the association’s goals.

• Collect membership fees and prepare lists of expenses and monies collected and transfer them to the organization or the General Union, as the case may be.

• Propose acceptance of unconditional donations, gifts, and assistance.

• Form committees and work groups and issue assignments to its members to perform certain activities that fall within the scope of the association’s competencies.

• Form the association’s disciplinary committee.

• Oversee and facilitate the work of the administrative and financial affairs unit.

• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the association congress, the women’s organization, or the General Union for Women’s Associations.

Article (16)

Secretariat Meetings

The association’s secretariat shall hold its ordinary meetings bimonthly, by invitation of the secretary that states the time, location, and agenda.

The secretariat may be invited to convene an extraordinary meeting at the request of the secretary, two-thirds of its members, the women’s organization secretariat, or the General Union for Women’s Associations. The invitation must state the subjects set for discussion, and no other subjects may be discussed.

Article (17)

Validity of Meetings and Adoption of Resolutions

Association secretariat meetings shall be deemed to be valid with the attendance of two-thirds of the members.

Resolutions shall be issued by member consensus. If such is not possible, then they shall be passed by a two-thirds majority of the members in attendance at the following session.

Article (18)

Competencies of the Association Secretary

Association secretaries shall exercise the following competencies:

• Conduct association congress meetings with the assistance of members of the secretariat.
• Monitor implementation of association congress resolutions and recommendations with the relevant bodies, in coordination with association secretariat members.
• Call and conduct association secretariat meetings, approve the minutes thereof, sign the resolutions issued thereby, and monitor the implementation thereof with the relevant bodies.
• Supervise the work of secretariat members, and make the required submissions to the secretariat or association congress, depending upon the circumstances.
• Any other activities assigned thereto by the association congress or secretariat thereof, by the secretariat of the women’s organization located in the association’s jurisdiction, or by the General Union for Women’s Associations.

Article (19)

Competencies of Association Assistant Secretaries

Association assistant secretaries shall exercise the following competencies:

• • Participate in conducting association congress meetings.
  • Perform the tasks of the association secretary upon her absence or inability to perform her duties.
  • Assist the association secretary in the performance of her work.
  • Monitor the work of association secretariat members, and make any observations they might deem important on the implementation of association congress recommendations and resolutions.
  • Directly supervise the activities of the administrative activities.
  • Directly oversee the membership record and other records.
  • Any other competencies that might be assigned thereto by the association secretariat.

Article (20)

Competencies of Cultural Affairs Secretaries

Cultural affairs secretaries shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting association congress meetings.
• Monitor the implementation of resolutions and recommendations made by the association congress and secretariat thereof in the cultural field.
• Propose cultural, informational, and guidance programs at the congress level with the aim of raising cultural and social awareness among women.
• Mobilize and urge women to attend meetings and events of the Basic People’s Congresses and perform their role in determining the community’s policies and direction.
• Propose holding forums, meetings, and workshops with the aim of advocating and spreading the jamahiriyan ideas and methods of the Green Book for putting them into action.
• Prepare and issue educational and awareness-raising publications at the association congress level, and urge congress members to actively participate and contribute to their preparation and issuance.
• Participate in the activities of related committees formed at the level of the women’s organization or the General Union of Women’s Associations.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the Association Secretariat.

Article (21)

Competencies of the Secretary of Personal Status Affairs

Personal status affairs secretaries shall exercise the following competencies:

• • Participate in conducting association congress meetings.
  • Monitor the implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the association congress and its secretariat in the area of personal status.
  • Prepare questionnaires and conduct research on the social and economic status of families within the association’s jurisdiction and propose programs to address such status and methods of providing the possible services to improve their social and economic level.
  • Prepare and issue publications, instructions, and posters in the association congress’ jurisdiction with the aim of achieving the following:
• Raise awareness among women of the social situation, especially as relates to personal status with regard to work relations and the issues of marriage, family structure, divorce, custody, alimony, and the like.
• Make serious contributions to the implementation of revolutionary programs.
• Receive, research, and study requests, complaints, and grievances of congress members, and coordinate with the related bodies to address and find appropriate solutions to them.
• Work to protect women’s rights and defend women’s interests at the association congress level through coordination with the competent bodies to prevent anything that might harm women’s rights.
  • Any other competencies assigned thereto by the association secretariat.

Article (22)

Competencies of the Secretary of Education,

Training, and Health Care Affairs

Secretaries of education, training, and health care affairs shall have the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting association congress meetings.
• Monitor the implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the association congress and its secretariat in the area of education, training, and health care.
• Prepare questionnaires and conduct research on the fields of education, training, and health care, identify women’s needs, and coordinate with the related bodies.
• Raise awareness among women and push them to actively participate in the implementation of home education programs, and coordinate in particular with the related bodies at the level of the Basic People’s Congress to encourage and motivate women and provide the required necessities.
• Elaborate suitable training and requalification programs for women and coordinate with the various relevant bodies at the level of the Basic People’s Congress or the production or service site on their implementation.
• Coordinate with the competent bodies at the level of the Basic People’s Congress or the production or service site to provide working women with the necessary health care services and to provide nurseries for children of working women and furnish the requirements of such nurseries.
• Coordinate with the competent bodies at the level of the Basic People’s Congress to provide suitable educational and training opportunities to women, taking into consideration their interests.
• Receive, research, and address complaints and grievances of association congress members related to the fields of education, training, and health care, in coordination with the competent bodies.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the association secretariat.

Article (23)

Women’s Organizations

Women’s organizations shall be formed in each district including as members women’s association secretariats from the Basic People’s Congresses and the production service sites located within the district.

Article (24)

Competencies of the Women’s Organization Congress

Women’s organization congresses shall have all the competencies related to women and family affairs at the district level that fall within the framework of achieving the goals set out in the aforementioned Law No. (20) of 1369 FDP and implementing regulations thereof, and may, in particular, undertake the following:

1. Propose drawing up the organization’s by-laws and make any amendments thereto.
2. Select the organization congress secretariat and monitor the work thereof, hold it accountable and make dismissals, and accept resignations and fill vacant positions therein.
3. Prepare the organization’s annual work programs.
4. Research and study the subjects proposed thereto by the Secretariat of the General Union for Women’s Associations.
5. Research and discuss the subjects on its agenda related to women and family affairs.
6. Monitor the activities of the women’s associations and secretariats thereof located within its jurisdiction, and push them to achieve their goals.
7. Prepare the organization’s estimated draft budget.
8. Prepare the balance sheet for the previous fiscal year within three months of the year’s end.
9. Study and approve the report on the association and association secretariat activities.
10. Any other competencies assigned thereto by the General Union for Women’s Associations or the secretariat thereof.

Article (25)

Ordinary and Extraordinary Women’s Organization Congress Meetings

Women’s organizations shall hold their ordinary meetings quarterly every three months, by invitation of the secretary that states the location, time, and items on the agenda.

Organizations may hold extraordinary meetings at the invitation of the secretary or two-thirds of the organization’s members, provided the discussion is restricted to the subjects for which the organization meeting was called.

Article (26)

Organization Resolutions

Organization resolutions shall be issued by consensus of the members in attendance at the meeting. If such is not possible, the organization will hold another meeting on the following day, and resolutions shall be issued by a two-thirds majority of the members in attendance at the meeting.

Article (27)

Selection of the Organization’s Secretariat

Women’s organizations shall select its secretariat from among its members. The selection shall be made directly by a method of nomination and comparison of nominated members. The secretariat shall have five (5) members, namely:

• Women’s Organization Secretary
• Women’s Organization Assistant Secretary
• Secretary of Cultural Affairs
• Secretary of Civil Status Affairs
• Secretary of Education, Training, and Health Care Affairs

Article (28)

Organization Secretariat Term

The term of the secretariat of a women’s organization shall be four (4) years. This term may be renewed for a similar period one time only.

Article (29)

Competencies of an Organization Secretariat

The secretariat of a woman’s organization shall exercise the following competencies:

• Call organization meetings, propose its agenda, and conduct its meetings.
• Implement and monitor organization resolutions with the related bodies.
• Implement resolutions of the General Union for Women’s Associations.
• Propose work programs to achieve the organization’s goals.
• Propose the organization’s draft budget and monitor its approval and implementation, prepare and submit the organization’s balance sheet to the organization.
• Propose acceptance of unconditional donations, gifts, and assistance.
• Form committees and work groups and issue assignments to secretariat and organization members to perform certain activities that fall within the scope of the organization’s competencies.
• Form the organization’s disciplinary committee.
• Oversee and facilitate the activities of the administrative and financial affairs office.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the organization or the General Union for Women’s Associations.

Article (30)

Ordinary and Extraordinary Meetings of the Organization Secretariat

The organization secretariat shall hold its ordinary meetings monthly, by an invitation from the secretary that states the location, time, and agenda.

The secretariat may be called to convene an extraordinary meeting at the request of the secretary, two-thirds of its members, or the General Union for Women’s Associations. The invitation must state the subjects set for discussion, and no other subjects may be discussed.

Article (31)

Validity of Meetings and Adoption of Resolutions

Organization secretariat meetings shall be deemed to be valid with the attendance of two-thirds of its members.

Resolutions shall be issued by member consensus. If such is not possible then they shall be issued by a two-thirds majority of the members in attendance at the following session, which shall be held on the day following the first meeting.

Article (32)

Competencies of the Organization Secretary

Organization secretaries shall exercise the following competencies:

• Conduct organization meetings with the assistance of secretariat members.
• Monitor implementation of organization resolutions and recommendations with the relevant bodies, in coordination with organization secretariat members.
• Call and conduct organization meetings, approve the minutes thereof, sign the resolutions issued thereby, and monitor the implementation thereof with the relevant bodies.
• Supervise the work of secretariat members, and make the required submissions to the secretariat or organization, depending upon the circumstances.
• Any other activities assigned thereto by the organization or secretariat thereof or the Secretariat of the General Union.

Article (33)

Competencies of Organization Assistant Secretaries

Assistant secretaries of women’s organizations shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting organization meetings.
• Perform the tasks of the organization secretary upon her absence or inability to perform her duties.
• Assist the organization secretary in the performance of her work.
• Monitor the work of organization secretariat members, and make any observations they might deem important on the implementation of organization recommendations and resolutions.
• Directly supervise the activities of the administrative activities.
• Directly oversee the membership record and other required records.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the organization secretariat.

Article (34)

Competencies of Cultural Affairs Secretaries

Cultural affairs secretaries shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting organization meetings.
• Monitor implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the organization and its secretariat in the area of culture within the jurisdiction of the district.
• Propose cultural, tactical informational, and guidance programs at the district level with the aim of raising cultural and social awareness among women, mobilizing and urging women to attend sessions and events of the Basic People’s Congresses and exercise their role in determining community policy and direction.
• Propose holding forums, meetings, and workshops with the aim of advocating and spreading the jamahiriyan ideas and methods of the Green Book and putting them into action.
• Prepare and issue educational and awareness-raising publications at the level of the district in which the organization is located, and push congress members to actively participate and contribute to their preparation and issuance.
• Propose holding women’s cultural programs and forums at the district level.
• Participate in the activities of related committees formed at the level of the women’s organization or the General Union of Women’s Associations.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the organization secretariat.

Article (35)

Competencies of the Secretary of Personal Status Affairs

Personal status affairs secretaries shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting organization meetings.
• Monitor implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the organization and its secretariat in the area of personal status within the jurisdiction of the district.
• Prepare questionnaires and conduct research on the social and economic status of families at the congress level and propose programs to address such status and methods of providing the possible services to improve their social and economic level.
• Prepare and issue publications, instructions, and posters in the district’s jurisdiction with the aim of achieving the following:

• Raise awareness among women of the social situation, especially as relates to personal status with regard to work relations and the issues of marriage, family structure, divorce, custody, alimony, and the like.
• Make serious contributions to the implementation of the revolutionary program.
• Receive, research, and study requests, complaints, and grievances of organization members, and coordinate with the related bodies to address them.
• Work to protect women’s rights and defend women’s interests at the district level through coordination with the competent people’s bodies to prevent anything that might harm women’s rights.

• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the organization secretariat.

Article (36)

Competencies of the Secretary of Education,

Training, and Health Care Affairs

Secretaries of education, training, and health care affairs shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting organization meetings.
• Monitor the implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the organization and its secretariat in the area of education, training, and health care.
• Prepare questionnaires and conduct research on the fields of education, training, and health care, identify women’s needs, and coordinate with the related bodies at the district level to meet such needs.
• Raise awareness among women and push them to actively participate in the implementation of home education programs, and coordinate in particular with the related bodies at the district level to encourage and motivate women and provide the required necessities.
• Elaborate suitable training and requalification programs for women and coordinate with the various relevant bodies at the district level.
• Coordinate with the competent bodies at the district level to provide working women with the necessary health care and to provide nurseries for children of working women and furnish the necessities of such nurseries.
• Coordinate with the competent bodies at the district level to provide suitable educational and training opportunities to women, taking into consideration their interests.
• Receive, research, and address complaints and grievances of organization members related to the fields of education, training, and health care, in coordination with the competent bodies.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the organization secretariat.

Article (37)

The General Union for Women’s Associations

The General Union for Women’s Associations in the Great Jamahiriya shall be composed of women’s organization secretariats at the district level.

Article (38)

Competencies of the Women’s Union General Congress

The Women’s Union General Congress shall exercise all the competencies related to women and family affairs at the level of the Great Jamahiriya, promote bonds of cooperation with similar regional and international organizations within the framework of achieving the goals set out in the aforementioned Law No. (20) of 1369 FDP and the implementing regulations thereof and may, in particular, undertake the following:

• Select the General Union secretariat and monitor the work thereof, hold it accountable and make dismissals, and accept resignations and fill vacant positions therein.
• Review, approve, and monitor the implementation of the work programs of women’s associations and organizations.
• Prepare the General Union’s annual work programs aiming to achieve the following:

• Provide the possible services to families to improve their economic, social, and cultural level.
• Intensify women’s attendance of Basic People’s Congress sessions and exercise of their role within the framework of asserting and strengthening the people’s power.
• Advocate the jamahiriyan philosophy of the Green Book domestically and spread it abroad through similar regional and international organizations.
• Prepare and create suitable conditions to push and motivate women to undertake their role in the various fields of production and services work.
• Provide women with opportunities to hold leadership positions in all different fields.
• Effective contribution of women to the implementation of the revolutionary program.
• Research, study, and identify the difficulties and problems women face and work to address and overcome them.
• Strengthen bonds of cooperation with women’s regional and international organizations and groups, exchange visits, data, and information with them, and familiarize them with the activities of Libyan women.

• Review and formulate the agendas of women’s associations and organizations and the General Union.
• Study reports on the activities of associations and organizations and the secretariats thereof, make observations on them, and guide them to address any deficiencies or faults so as to lead to the achievement of their goals.
• Approve the General Union’s annual estimated budget, including the budgets of women’s organizations and the expenses of women’s associations.
• Select and assign external audits.
• Approve the General Union’s balance sheet.
• Amend the by-laws as required in the interest of and to meet work requirements.
• Approve investment projects for the Union’s funds.
• Research and study the subjects that concern women to be posed to the Basic People’s Congresses for issuance of resolutions thereon.
• Study and approve reports on the activities of the General Union and the secretariat thereof.

Article (39)

Ordinary and Extraordinary Meetings of the General Union

The General Union for Women’s Associations shall hold its meetings annually by invitation of the secretariat that states the time, location, and agenda thereof.

Extraordinary meetings may be convened at the invitation of the secretary or two-thirds of the members. The discussion shall be restricted to the subjects for which the General Union meeting was called.

Article (40)

General Union Resolutions

Resolutions of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be issued by majority. In the event of a tie, the side with the secretary of the General Union shall have the casting vote.

Article (41)

Selection of the General Union Secretariat

The General Union for Women’s Associations shall select its secretariat from among its members. The selection shall be made directly by a method of nomination and comparison of nominated members. The secretariat shall have six (6) members, namely:

• General Union Secretary
• General Union Assistant Secretary
• Secretary of Cultural Affairs
• Secretary of Civil Status and Legal Affairs
• Secretary of Education, Training, and Health Care Affairs
• Secretary of Foreign Relations

Article (42)

General Union Secretariat Term

The term of the Secretariat of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be four (4) years. This term may be renewed for a similar period one time only.

Article (43)

Competencies of the General Union Secretariat

The General Union Secretariat shall exercise the following competencies:

• Call Union meetings, propose its agenda, and conduct its meetings.
• Implement and monitor Union resolutions with the related bodies.
• Propose the work programs required to achieve the Union’s goals.
• Propose the Union’s draft discretionary steering budget and monitor its approval and implementation, prepare its balance sheet and submit it to the Union.
• Approve the acceptance of unconditional donations, gifts, and assistance.
• Form committees and work groups and issue assignments to secretariat and Union members to perform certain activities that fall within the scope of the Union’s competencies, and determine the requisite remunerations.
• Oversee the selection of the secretariats of women’s associations and organizations, in coordination with the Secretariat of the General People’s Congress.
• Monitor the activities of secretariats of women’s associations and organizations and guide them to achieve their goals and the goals of the Union.
• Propose investment projects for the Union’s funds.
• Form the Union’s disciplinary committee.
• Oversee the secretariat’s divisions and organizations and monitor the activities thereof.
• Propose the subjects that concern women approved by the Union to the Basic People’s Congresses in coordination with the Secretariat of the General People’s Congress.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the Union.

Article (44)

Ordinary and Extraordinary Meetings of the General Union Secretariat

The Secretariat of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall hold its ordinary meetings at least once monthly, by invitation of the secretary that states the location, time, and agenda.

The secretariat may be called to convene an extraordinary meeting at the request of the secretary or two-thirds of its members. The invitation must state the topics set for discussion, and no other topics may be discussed.

Article (45)

Validity of Meetings and Adoption of Resolutions

Meetings of the Secretariat of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be deemed valid with the attendance of two-thirds of its members including the secretary. Resolutions shall be passed by a majority of the members and in the event of a tie the side with the secretary shall have the casting vote.

Article (46)

Competencies of the General Union Secretary

The secretary of the General Union shall exercise the following competencies:

• Conduct Union meetings with the assistance of members of the secretariat.
• Monitor implementation of General Union resolutions and recommendations with the relevant bodies, in coordination with secretariat members.
• Call and conduct meetings of the Union secretariat, approve the minutes thereof, sign the resolutions issued thereby, and monitor the implementation thereof with the relevant bodies.
• Supervise the work of secretariat members, and make the required submissions to the secretariat or General Union, depending upon the circumstances.
• Oversee the management of the administrative organizational divisions.
• Represent the secretariat in its relations with third parties and before the law.
• Coordinate with the Secretariat of the General People’s Congress on proposing the subjects that concern women approved by the General Union to the Basic People’s Congresses.
• Any other activities assigned thereto by the Union or Secretariat thereof.

Article (47)

Competencies of the General Union Assistant Secretary

The assistant secretary of the General Union shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting General Union meetings.
• Perform the tasks of the General Union secretary upon her absence or inability to perform her duties.
• Assist the Union secretary in the performance of her work.
• Monitor the work of General Union secretariat members, and make any observations they might deem important on the implementation of Union recommendations and resolutions.
• Directly supervise the management of administrative activities.
• Directly oversee the membership record and other records.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the Union secretariat.

Article (48)

Competencies of the Cultural Affairs Secretary

The cultural affairs secretary shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting Union meetings.
• Monitor the implementation of resolutions and recommendations made by the Union and secretariat thereof in the cultural field.
• Propose cultural, tactical informational, and guidance programs at the congress level with the aim of raising cultural and social awareness among women, monitor the implementation thereof once approved, mobilize and urge women to attend sessions and events of the Basic People’s Congresses and exercise their role in determining community policy and direction.
• Propose, organize, and hold forums, meetings, and workshops with the aim of advocating and spreading the jamahiriyan ideas and methods of the Green Book for putting them into action.
• Prepare and issue educational and awareness-raising publications throughout the Great Jamahiriya, and push congress members to actively participate and contribute to their preparation and issuance.
• Coordinate with the competent bodies on issuing specialized periodical women’s publications.
• Participate in the activities of related committees formed at the level of the General Union of Women’s Associations.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the Union secretariat.

Article (49)

Competencies of the Secretary of Personal Status and Legal Affairs

The secretary of personal status and legal affairs shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting General Union meetings.
• Monitor the implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the General Union and its secretariat in the area of personal status.
• Prepare questionnaires and conduct research on the social and economic status of families throughout the Great Jamahiriya and propose programs to address such status and methods of providing the possible services to improve their social and economic level.
• Prepare and issue the publications, instructions, and posters required to achieve the following:

• Raise awareness among women of the social situation, especially as relates to personal status and work relations and the issues of marriage, family structure, divorce, custody, alimony, and the like.
• Make serious contributions to the implementation of revolutionary programs.
• Help women enter all different fields of work and prepare the suitable climate for them, nominate them to leadership positions in the various sectors, districts, and production and service sites.
• Receive, research, and study women’s requests, complaints, and grievances and coordinate with the related bodies to address and find appropriate solutions to them.
• Work to protect women’s rights and defend women’s interests, by coordinating with the competent bodies to prevent anything that might harm women’s rights.

• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the General Union Secretariat.

Article (50)

Competencies of the Secretary of Education, Training, and Health Care Affairs

The secretary of education, training, and health care affairs shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting General Union meetings.
• Monitor the implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the General Union and its secretariat in the area of education, training, and health care.
• Prepare questionnaires and conduct research on the fields of education, training, and health care, identify women’s needs, and coordinate with the related bodies to meet them.
• Raise awareness among women and push them to actively participate in the implementation of home education programs, and coordinate in particular with the related bodies to encourage and motivate women and provide the necessities required to do so.
• Elaborate suitable training and requalification programs for women and coordinate with the competent bodies on their implementation.
• Coordinate with the competent bodies to provide working women with the necessary health care and to provide nurseries for children of working women and furnish the necessities of such nurseries.
• Coordinate with the competent bodies to provide suitable educational and training opportunities to women, taking into consideration their interests.
• Receive, research, and address women’s complaints and grievances related to the fields of education, training, and health care, in coordination with the competent bodies.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the General Union Secretariat.

Article (51)

Competencies of the Secretary of Foreign Relations

The secretary of foreign relations shall exercise the following competencies:

• Participate in conducting General Union meetings.
• Monitor the implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the General Union and its secretariat in the area of foreign relations.
• Propose methods for strengthening relations and bonds of friendship and cooperation with regional and international women’s organizations, and work to implement them once approved.
• Monitor the implementation of memoranda of understanding, minutes of agreement, and agreements entered into by the General Union with similar organizations or with regional and international women’s organizations.
• Submit invitations to participate received from regional and international women’s organizations to the secretariat.
• Receive guests of the Union from abroad and arrange programs for their visits and submit them to the secretariat.
• Participate in the activities of related committees formed at the level of the General Union of Women’s Associations.
• Any other competencies assigned thereto by the General Union secretariat.

Chapter (5)

Financial Structure of the General Union for Women’s Associations

Article (52)

Financial Resources

The financial resources of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall consist of the following:

• Support allocated to the General Union from the State’s public budget.
• Membership fees.
• Income from the General Union’s activities and financial investments.
• Unconditional donations, gifts, and assistance.

Article (53)

Membership Fees

Membership fees for women’s associations shall be determined as follows:

• Joining fee for membership in a women’s association shall be ten (10) LYD to be paid once upon submission of the application to join the association.
• Annual membership fee of twenty (20) LYD a year to be paid within the first week of January of each year.

Upon receipt of membership fees, receipts shall be issued carrying serial numbers and containing in particular the full name of the participating member, the amount paid (in numerals and letters), date of payment, recipient’s signature, and the association’s stamp.

Article (54)

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall commence at the start of the State’s fiscal year and end at the conclusion thereof.

The first fiscal year shall commence as of the date the by-laws is approved and end at the conclusion of the current fiscal year.

Article (55)

Bank Accounts

The funds of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be deposited into a bank account opened for this purpose at one of the commercial banks operating in the Great Jamahiriya.

A bank account for each women’s organization shall also be opened at one of the banks referred to in the preceding paragraph and any allocations made thereto by the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be deposited therein.

Disbursements from bank accounts shall be made pursuant to the signature of the competent secretary and the director of the office of administrative and financial affairs.

Article (56)

Preparation of the Budget

The Secretariat of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall prepare the Union’s steering and investment draft discretionary budget at least three months prior to the start of the fiscal year. The Budget shall contain projected revenue and allowed expenses for the fiscal year, and list the revenue in a separate table from the expenses.

Expenses shall be divided into three sections, as follows:

Section (1): Allocations for salaries, wages, remunerations, and the like.

Section (2): Allocations for general expenses.

Section (3): Allocations for Union investment projects.

The first two sections must contain the fiscal allocations for both the women’s associations and organizations in the districts.

Article (57)

Budget Approval

The budget shall be approved pursuant to a resolution from the General Union for Women’s Associations.

Allocations for women’s associations and organizations shall be transferred in accordance with the following:

• A quarterly financial advance for each women’s association. The following advance shall not be dispersed until the first advance has been cleared.
• Quarterly financial authorizations for each women’s association in the districts. The financial authorization for the subsequent quarter shall not be transferred until after a report on the previous quarter’s expenses has been submitted.

Budget disbursements shall be within the limits of the allocations approved for the disbursement sections and items.

Article (58)

Transfers within Budget Sections and from One Section to Another

Transfers may be made from one or more items to another within one section to cover a deficit, pursuant to a decision from the Secretary of the General Union for Women’s Associations, if there are funds available equivalent to the deficit.

Transfers may also be made from one section of the budget to another pursuant to a decision from the Secretariat of the General Union, based on a submission made by the Secretary of the General Union.

Article (59)

Preparation of the Balance Sheet

The Secretariat of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall prepare the balance sheet for the fiscal year ended and submit it to the General Union for approval.

Article (60)

Audits of the General Union for Women’s Associations

The General Union shall be audited by a certified auditor selected and assigned pursuant to a decision from the Union. The Union Secretariat must place all data, books, and documentation required for the audit at the auditor’s disposal.

The auditor must submit a report on the conclusions of his audit to the Union Secretariat within two months at most from the end of the fiscal year. The Union Secretariat shall in turn submit the report to the General Union.

Chapter (6)

Discipline

Article (61)

Formation of Disciplinary Committees

A disciplinary committee shall be formed in each women’s association and organization and in the General Union for Women’s Associations, to be presided over by a legal member and no less than three individual members, pursuant to a decision from the secretariat of the association, organization, or General Union, as the case may be.

Article (62)

Competencies of the Disciplinary Committee

The disciplinary committee shall have competence to review the member violations transferred thereto by the competent secretariat.

The committee may access all documentation and papers related to the violation, hear witnesses, if any, and their confrontation with the member who committed the violation, and other measures to confirm the truth of the violation.

Article (63)

Violation of Membership Duties

Violations of membership duties that warrant transfer of the member who committed the violation to disciplinary action are the following:

• Failure to implement the programs and duties assigned thereto by the association, organization, General Union, or secretariats thereof.
• Breach of responsible conduct and moral character, whether with colleagues or with the secretary and members of the secretariat.
• Refusal or delay in payment of the set membership fees.
• Absence from the required meetings without an acceptable excuse.
• Persistent breach of meeting order, whether in word or deed, after having been warned by the meeting management.
• Insulting the reputation of the association, organization, or General Union in word or deed.
• Any other acts that the competent secretariat deems necessitate transfer to disciplinary action.

Article (64)

Penalties

Individuals transferred to disciplinary action and found guilty of the violation shall be subject to one of the following penalties:

1. Censure.
2. Warning.
3. A fine of not less than fifty (50) LYD and not more than one hundred (100) LYD.
4. Barred from being selected to the secretariat of the association, organization, or General Union.
5. Dropped from membership in the secretariat of the association, organization, or General Union.

In all cases, if the disciplinary committee establishes that the acts attributed to the member transferred before it constitutes a criminal offense, the incident shall be transferred to the General Prosecution.

Article (65)

Competent Entity for Imposing Penalties

• The disciplinary committee shall impose the penalties set out in paragraph (1-3) of the preceding Article. Penalties (1-2) shall be coupled with publication on the announcement board of the competent secretariat.
• The penalties involving being barred from selection and being dropped from membership set out under paragraphs (4-5) of the preceding Article shall be imposed by the secretariat of the association, organization, or General Union, based on the affiliation of the member being penalized.

Chapter (7)

Administrative Organization

Article (66)

Organizational Structure

The organizational structure of women’s associations and organizations shall be as follows:

1. An administrative and financial affairs unit at each women’s association, which shall hold competence to perform the following:

• Activities involving incoming and outgoing mail, printing, photocopying, fax, and other administrative activities.
• Keep members’ personal files.
• Keep the required records.
• Prepare for meetings of the association’s secretariat and congress, write up the minutes thereof, perform financial activities, and prepare periodical reports thereon.
• The General Union may establish other offices based on work requirements.

2. An administrative and financial affairs office at each women’s organization, which shall hold competence to perform the following:

• All of the organization’s public affairs and administrative activities.
• Keep member files and the required records.
• Prepare for meetings of the organization and its secretariat and write up the minutes thereof.
• Implement the organization’s budget in accordance with the set disbursement items, and prepare the periodic budget reports.

The organizational structure of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall consist of the following:

• The office of administrative and financial affairs, which shall hold competence to perform the following:

• All of the Union’s administrative activities.
• Keep member files and the required records.
• Prepare for meetings of the Union and its secretariat and write up the minutes thereof.
• Implement the Union’s budget in accordance with the set disbursement items, and prepare the periodic budget reports.

• The office of experts and consultants, which shall hold competence to perform the following:

• Provide advice and technical consulting to the General Union and the secretariat thereof with regard to subjects that concern women and family affairs.
• Study the subjects and phenomena assigned thereto.
• Prepare questionnaire and survey templates for the subjects that concern or relate to women and family affairs.
• Study and identify ways of investing the funds of the General Union and conduct the technical and economic studies for planned investment projects.
• Review legislation related to women and family affairs and identify and propose ways of addressing any problems or deficiencies.

• The office of public relations, which shall hold competence to perform the following:

• Arrange to receive, send off, and host guests of the General Union and organize their accommodations, their visit and interview schedule, and everything related thereto.
• Monitor all media and coordinate with the competent secretary to make the necessary clarifications and arrange interviews with such media.
• Undertake all arrangements related to secretariat members’ travel on official duty.
• Arrange for the Union’s participation in national, religious, and global occasions, and hold official dinners in cooperation with the office responsible for preparing for Union meetings.

Article (67)

Holding Positions

Holding positions in the organizational structure of associations, organizations, and the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be through secondment from among the workers in the sectors, districts and sectors [sic] thereof, or by contract.

The General Union for Women’s Associations shall coordinate with said bodies on determining the elements requested for secondment and the issuance of the necessary secondment and contract decisions, provided the secondment term not exceed four (4) years. The General Union for Women’s Associations shall grant lump sum remuneration to those individuals with whom it enters into a work contract.

Chapter (8)

General Provisions

Article (68)

Conditions for Membership in the Secretariat of an Association, Organization or General Union.

Without prejudice to the membership conditions set out in Article (5) hereof, it is a condition that those individuals selected for membership to the secretariat of a women’s association, organization, or the General Union for Women’s Associations holds at least a basic education certificate.

Article (69)

Equal Rights and Duties

Members of associations, organizations, and the General Union for Women’s Associations shall have equal rights and duties as set out pursuant to Law No. (20) of 1369 FDP on the regulation of women’s associations, and the implementing regulations thereof, this Law or any resolutions and decrees made by the women’s associations and organizations and the General Union for Women’s Associations.

Each member must exercise their rights without harming the rights of the remaining members, and must perform all their obligatory duties.

Article (70)

Joint Liability

Secretaries and members of secretariats of women’s associations and organizations and of the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be jointly liable before the association, organization, or General Union for Women’s Associations congresses, according to the jurisdiction, for any neglect or violation of their duties, in accordance with the legislation in force, without prejudice to their criminal or civil liability where appropriate.

Article (71)

Records

The secretariat of each women’s association and organization and the secretariat of the General Union must keep the following records:

1. Secretariat record, recording the social, academic, and professional information of the secretariat’s secretary and members, including the selection date, term, term end date, and renewal date, if any.
2. Record of the association, organization, or General Union’s meetings, recording agenda items, attendee names, meeting date, and a summary of the resolutions and recommendations made.
3. Record of secretariat meetings, recording attendee names, agenda items, meeting date, and a summary of the resolutions and recommendations made.
4. Record of fixed and movable property, which must be numbered and stamped.
5. Record of revenue and expenses, which must be numbered and stamped.

The Union secretariat may require keeping any other records, if needed.

Article (72)

Confidentiality of Records

The records referred to in the preceding Article shall be confidential and may not be accessed by anyone other than the assigned individuals, unless written permission is obtained from the competent assistant secretary.

Article (73)

Reimbursement of Expenses

Secretaries and members of the secretariats of women’s associations, organizations, and the General Union shall not receive a salary for the performance of their duties and may be reimbursed for any expenses they incur during the performance of the duties assigned thereto.

Article (74)

Performance of Functions

The functions of secretaries and assistant secretaries of women’s associations and organizations and the General Union for Women’s Associations shall be performed as complete full time positions.

The period in which they perform their functions shall be deemed commensurate with assignment or secondment, as the case may be, from their original positions, and their places of employment shall continue to provide their job salaries and benefits throughout the period of their assignment to the functions set out in the first paragraph of this Article. The Union’s general security shall receive the same treatment as those popularly selected according to the decree from the Secretariat of the General People’s Congress on the treatment of those working at the thirteenth grade from the date of their popular selection.

The remaining functions of the competent secretariat shall be performed full time.

Article (75)

Member Rights and Duties

Secretariat of Associations, Organizations, and the General Union

Secretaries and members of the secretariat of associations, organizations, and the General Union for Women’s Associations shall enjoy all rights set out in the aforementioned Law No. (20) of 1369 FDP and the implementing regulations thereof and this law. Each shall commit to the following duties:

1. Perform the work entrusted thereto in a meticulous and trustworthy manner, and observe the laws, regulations, and decrees regulating the activities of the association, organization, or General Union.
2. Perform their duties without committing a violation of the laws, regulations, and rules in effect or being negligent in applying them.
3. Maintain the confidentiality of matters that they have access to by virtue of the functions assigned thereto, if such matters are confidential. This duty shall persist even after the end of their selection.
4. Observe the provisions of this Law and not violate it.
5. Not engage in any activities that harm the interests of the association, organization, or General Union.
6. Not participate in the adoption of any resolution in which they have a personal interest.

Article (76)

Amendment of the By-Laws

Association and organization congresses may amend the by-laws with the agreement of two-thirds of its members. The final language shall be drafted at the General Union Congress.

The amendment shall not be deemed effective until approved by the competent body.

The General Union for Women’s Associations – Libya