Laila Salim Musa bin Khalifa or simply Leila bin Khalifa (Arabic: ليلى بن خليفة; born 11 October 1975) is a Libyan journalist, human rights activist, and head of the National Movement Party.[1][2]

Laila Salim Musa bin Khalifa
ليلى بن خليفة
Personal details
Born (1975-10-11) 11 October 1975 (age 49)
Zuwara, Libya
Political partyNational Movement Party

Early life and education

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Leila bin Khalifa was born on October 11, 1975, in the Libyan city of Zuwara.[3] She has earned a Master's degree in Business Administration in 2017, and a diploma in diplomatic and consular consulting in 2018.[2] Under Libyan electoral law, candidates are required to have a university degree from an accredited university.[4]

Political activism

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Laila bin Khalifa is a known activist and has history of campaigning for more women to enter the political life of Libya. As General Coordinator of the We Look 30 campaign, which was launched in 2018 to support and empower women, especially, the idea of quotas for women in elections.[5][6]

She founded the National Movement Party (Arabic: حزب الحركة الوطنية) inspired by the 1940s Bashir El Saadawi movement[7] and the defunct National Congress Party.

2022 presidential run

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On 22 November 2021, as head of the National Movement Party, Leila bin Khalifa stated her intention to run for the presidency of Libya, submitting her candidacy file for the presidential elections.[2]

Bin Khalifa is the first-ever female presidential candidate in the history of the Libya after she submitted her papers to National Elections Commission.[1]

Platform

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Her political platform has these goals:

  • advocating for women in decision-making places, especially in the legislative authority;[6] and
  • Women representation should not be less than 30% in parliament, ministries and the government.[6]

Personal life

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Born in the city of Zuwara, Leila bin Khalifa has Amazigh origins.[7] Currently she lives in Tripoli, and she is married.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Al Amir, Khitam (22 November 2021). "Libya: Leila bin Khalifa becomes first woman to run for presidency". Gulf News. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "إكتشف 8 معلومات عن المرشحة الرئاسية ليلى بن خليفة" (in Arabic). 22 November 2021.
  3. ^ Sadler, David (22 November 2021). "The First Woman In The History Of Libya To Run For President".
  4. ^ "Toronto University denies that Dbeibeh has obtained a certificate from its faculties". 31 May 2022.
  5. ^ Fetouri, Mustafa (1 December 2021). "Women face obstacles in bid for Libyan presidency".
  6. ^ a b c Herrera, Brenton (10 December 2021). "Learn about the most prominent candidates for the Libyan presidential elections".
  7. ^ a b "Madam President? Interview with Libya presidential candidate Ms Laila Salim bin Khalifa".