33 Countries of Origin’ Profiles

4 LIBYA © Encyclopaedia Britannica CULTURAL TRADITIONS: After the Revolution in September 1969, and in accordance with Sharia law, alcoholic beverages were outlawed, bars and nightclubs were closed, and entertainment of both modest and provocative nature was banned. The use of the Islamic Hijri calendar was also made mandatory. There are numerous rules governing etiquette in Libya. Greetings are generally enthusiastic and warm, and generally involve handshakes accompanied by smiling and direct eye contact. Although eye contact is important, it should be intermittent rather than fixed. Men shake hands, but should wait for a woman to extend her hand first. The most commonly used greeting is "Asalaamu alaikum" ("Peace be with you") to which one would respond with “wa alaikum salam” (“and Peace be with you”) 10 . GENDER RELATIONS : The legal age for marriage is 20 years for both men and women in Libya, but judges can allow marriage at an earlier age . Marriages are arranged by the parents in consultation with members of the extended family. Wives are under legal obligation to look after their husbands and take care of the house and the children; in return, husbands should support them financially. Polygamy is legal in Libya, but remains quite uncommon 11 . Men can repudiate their wives, but such unilateral divorces must be registered in court to be valid. On the other hand, women can only obtain a divorce under limited conditions , or request a khula divorce and renounce their dowry. Divorced women often face social stigma and financial difficulties. Abortion is only legal if the pregnant woman’s life is in danger. A higher percentage of women than men have no formal education or did not complete their primary education 12 ; however, low educational attainment applies mostly to older generations of women 13 . Women’s participation in the labour market is significantly lower than men’s and there is significant income disparity between the sexes; women cannot work heavy jobs, cannot work at night, or for more than 48 hours a week. Women are not very involved in the civic life of the country 14 . 10 http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Libya.html#ixzz4mQGaWjfi & http://www.commisceo- global.com/country-guides/libya-guide 11 http://www.ifes.org/surveys/ifes-survey-status-women-libya 12 Ibid. 1 3 http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Libya.html#ixzz4mQGwRuCG 1 4 https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/libya Libyan wedding © People and Countries