About 25% of the candidates in Tunisia's upcoming legislative elections are females. The Popular Union Party even has four women at the top of its Parliamentary list after its candidate for the Presidency, Mohamed Bouchiha.
The incumbent President Ben Ali, the overwhelming favorite in elections which are widely believed to have been fixed in advance, along with the other candidates, is promising to fight against the Islamic veil and to increase freedom for women. Women are very prominent in Tunisian industry, particularly textiles and Tunisia is the only place in the Arab world with females taxi and bus drivers. Recently, a 54 year old woman was elected for the first time as governoress of a region and another as head magistrate. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
