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30/06/2010 |
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WFO |
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Mrs. Leila Ben Ali’s address at the meeting of the World Family Organization in New York
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In an address delivered on her behalf to the meeting of the World Family Organization by Mrs. Bebia Bouhnak Chihi, Minister of Women, Family, Children and the Elderly Affairs, Mrs. Leila Ben Ali, the First Lady of Tunisia and the current President of the Arab Women Organization (AWO), described Tunisia’s reformist movement as “a source of inspiration for Tunisia’s political leadership since 1956”.
In her address, which was delivered on the sidelines of the High Level Segment on the Substantive Session of the ECOSOC 2010 on the theme: “ Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to gender equality and the empowerment of women”, Mrs. Ben Ali stressed the importance of the promulgation in Tunisia of the code of Personal Status, in emancipating women, banning polygamy and establishing divorce by court order. |
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She highlighted the initiatives taken by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali successively in 1993 and 1997, amending the Code of Personal Status, but also the Nationality Code, the Labor Code, the Code of Obligations and Contracts, the Penal Code, the Law on Political Parties, the setting up of joint ownership between married women, setting up the position of “family judge”, guaranteeing the right to alimony and housing, the right of a woman married to a foreigner to give her nationality to her children and unifying the minimum marriage age to 18 , for young men and women. |
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Evoking current indicators for women, ranging from health, schooling, and representation in political and public life, Mrs. Leila Ben Ali said the 2009-2014 Presidential Program offers wider prospects for women, increasing their presence in leadership positions from 30% to 35%.
Women in Tunisia represent 27,5% of the Chamber of Deputies, 33% of the members of municipal councils, over a third of judges and 60% of journalists, she said.
She also noted that Tunisia has ratified all international conventions and covenants related directly or indirectly to women’s rights, adding that Tunisia’s current presidency of the Arab Women Organization, has been marked by the enhancement of reforms and further promotion of women to ensure gender equity and combat violence against women.
In conclusion, Tunisia’s First Lady called for “an equitable participation of both genders in the International Youth Conference to be held in 2011”, while reaffirming the need to instill in children and youth all over the world, the values of gender equality. |
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