Exploring social workers’ mechanisms in post-conflict Libya: Characteristics and challenges—A collaborative autoethnography approach

Date

2025-7

Type

Article

Journal title

The British Journal of Social Work

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 55

Author(s)

Abdelrazag Mohamed Garirah Masud

Pages

3624 - 3644

Abstract

This article explores the intervention mechanisms employed by social workers in post-conflict Libya, the observable features of the conflict environment, and the primary challenges practitioners faced during the crisis. Using a collaborative autoethnographic approach, the researcher combined personal reflections with the lived experiences of six doctoral students from the Department of Social Work at the University of Tripoli. The narratives gathered through in-depth semistructured interviews focus on three central themes: the defining characteristics of the conflict, the challenges social workers encountered, and the intervention strategies implemented in the post-conflict period. The findings highlight the pressing need for specialized training that cultivates a profound understanding of human rights principles and promotes equitable resource allocation while emphasizing the importance of maintaining professional objectivity and a steadfast commitment to social justice, fairness, and equality. Advocacy, protection, and rights awareness emerge as key mechanisms in social work practice. Drawing on these insights, the study offers empirically grounded contributions that enrich our understanding of social work methodologies in global post-conflict reconstruction. The article concludes with practical recommendations for policy reform and the development of international frameworks to support social work in conflict-affected settings.

Publisher's website

View