Skip to content
Navigating a New Political Landscape: View real-time updates about the impact of and Northeastern’s response to recent political changes.
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

Pope Francis, the first Vatican leader from a Latin American country, died at age 88 Monday. Photo by Giuseppe Ciccia /Sipa via AP Images

What is the legacy of Pope Francis — and the future of the Catholic Church

04.21.2025
The relationships fans form with fictional characters can be powerful – and problematic -if taken to an extreme, Northeastern experts say. Photo by Liane Hentscher/HBO

Why are fans upset about ‘The Last of Us’ season two? Experts say it tests the limits of fandom and parasocial relationships

04.20.2025
A building displaying a mural of the Puerto Rican flag.

Puerto Rico’s housing crisis is no accident—it’s by design

04.21.25
All Stories