Skip to content
Apply
Stories

The controversy over the Arab world’s first female Prime Minister

People in this story

Bloomberg, October 2021

The first female head of government in the Arab world has people talking — but not always for the right reasons. Najla Bouden Romdhane was appointed by Tunisia’s president, Kais Saied, to lead a transitional government about two weeks ago. That came after the president sacked the previous premier and suspended parliament, prompting howls about a coup.

So instead of being celebrated as an event that cements Tunisia’s status as a gender pioneer in the region, the 63-year-old engineering professor who implemented World Bank programs at the higher-education ministry is being presented in some quarters as a figurehead.  Critics accuse President Saied of tightening his grip on power and naming her just to appease those demanding a transition back to democracy—including feminist campaigners who want him to do more to address the gender gap, for example, by dropping his opposition to a highly contentious law to equalize inheritance rights. It’s true that when Saied named Romdhane, the optics weren’t great. He called it “an honor for Tunisia and a homage to Tunisian women” in a video posted on his Facebook page. She didn’t speak.

Continue reading at Bloomberg.

More Stories

Policeman stops woman driver to give her a traffic ticket for speeding. He takes her driver's license.

Massachusetts police pull over more minorities than whites, new data shows

11.30.2023
Political cartoon of politicians paying to People of Color in 2020 during election season, then ignoring their commitments in 2023.

Large Massachusetts companies need to do better

11.29.2023
Taylor Swift singing at one of her

Another Taylor Swift course is coming to Boston, this time at Northeastern University

11.30.23
In the News