Women

Women and Public Life:

Tunisian women have enjoyed the same voting and eligibility rights than men since 1956.

Several mesures were taken by President Ben Ali since 1987 to widen the participation of women in public life.

* 22.7% of the members of the Chamber of Deputies are women (as compared with 7% of members in 1994 and 1.82% in 1966). 15% of the members of the Chamber of Advisors are women.
* There are seven women members of government. They include: The Minister of Equipment, Housing and Land Development, The Minister of Women, Family, Children and the Elderly Affairs, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Women, Family, Children and the Elderly Affairs, in charge of children , Secretary of State to the Minister of Social Affairs and Solidarity, in charge of Social Promotion, the Secretary of state to the Minister of Public health, in charge of public hospitals and the Secretary of State to the Minister of Communication Technologies, in charge of Information Technology, Internet and Free Software.
* women serve as vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Advisors.
* There is a woman governor
* Women on municipal councils today represent 27.4% of all elected officials, as against 1.29% in 1957.
* Eleven percent of the members of the Economic and Social Council are women, a woman is vice-president of the council, and another woman chairs a commission.
* A woman serves as President of the National Accounting Court.
* The higher council of the magistracy includes two women among its 15-members.
* A woman was elected chairperson of the International Intergovernmental Alliance in charge of South/South partnership programs for population and development.
* A Tunisian woman was, for the third consecutive time, been elected a member of CEDAW.
* A Tunisian woman was appointed regional councillor of the African Economic Commission for women's legal and human rights.
* A Tunisian woman was appointed Director of Information Development Services of the African Economic Commission.
* A women was elected regional governor of the International Environmental Council.
* A Tunisian woman was elected Secretary General of the Arab Organization for the Family.

Main Women's Organizations and Associations

The movement tform women's associations has developed rapidly since the Change of November 7th, 1987.

From only one association, the (UNFT), the number of women organizations has now grown to over twenty, among which are the following:

* The Association for the Promotion of Employment for the Disabled Persons (BASMA).
* The National Union of Tunisian Women (UNFT).
* The Tunisian Mother's Association (ATM).
* The Association of Tunisian Women for Research and Development (AFTURD).
* The National Chamber of Women Heads of businesses (CNFCE), under the Tunisian Union for Industry, Trade and Crafts.
* The National Commission for Working Women, under the Tunisian General Labor Union.
* The National Federation of Women Farmers (FNA), under the Tunisian Union for Agriculture and Fisheries.
* The Association for the Promotion of Women's Projects in the Economy (APROFE).
* The Tunisian Association of Women Democrats (ATFD).
* The Womens' Association "Tunisie 21."
* The Womens' Action Association for Sustainable Development.
* The Alliance of Women Communicators.

^ Top | Copyright © 2007, The Tunisian Cultural & Information Center USA |