Immobilized: Travel ban traps women in eastern Libya

Eastern Libya is under fire (in all senses of the word, really) for placing a travel ban on all unaccompanied females. The ban, issued by military general Abdul Razzaq Al Nadori, forbids women under the age of 60 to travel outside the country without a male companion, or a “mahram” accompanying them.

Many in Libya and abroad have reacted with outrage. This twitter user points out one example of how the ban is patronizing to female professionals:

Libyan female pilot, Laila Jenzari - With the #womantravelban in Eastern #Libya - she wouldn't be able to fly without a male guardian. pic.twitter.com/BsBBIHJ9eE

— Mohamed Eljarh (@Eljarh) February 19, 2017

Libyans were quick to question the purpose of the ban as well:

#WomenTravelBan So now by having a "mohram" accompanying Libyan women we should expect the end of all the security issues in the country!

— Hala Bugaighis (@halabugaighis) February 19, 2017

On a similar note, one human rights activist pointed out that women were the victims of both the ban and everything else that was going on in the conflict-ridden country.

Sure, Libyan women have been creating havoc: fighting, shooting, refusing disarmement & raping. Oh no, wait..

NO #WomenTravelBan pic.twitter.com/0hoajXUvBW

— Elisabeth Steenhoven (@ESteenhoven) February 20, 2017

If you are feeling depressed about the regression of women’s rights in Libya, you can cheer yourself up by watching this rendition of “Hero” (Enrique Iglesias) by this Libyan guitarist. The chorus, roughly translated, goes, “I can be your Mahram, baby! I can marry three other women. You’ll stay in the house forever. Who else is gonna make lunch?” Don’t worry, though--it’s categorized as “comedy” on YouTube.

LM

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