gender equality

Tunisia's new constitution could usher in momentous change for women, following the adoption of a clause which guarantees gender equality in legislative assemblies and for steps to be taken to protect women against violence, a first in the Arab world.

"This article is a revolution in itself. It's a big, historic step, not only for Tunisian women," says Lobna Jeribi, who celebrated until the early hours of the morning after the constitution had been adopted.

ACTIVISTS under a coalition of women and constitution intend to camp at the Constituent Assembly when it commences next month, with a view to guarding their proposals already infused into the Katiba draft.

The move is also aimed at using the opportunity to persuade members of the Constituent Assembly to put in the draft issues they believe have been left out, but touch significantly on gender equality as a foundation for the country's progress.

I laughed over the François Hollande “affair”, even when Valérie Trierweiler’s “deep blues” resulted her being hospitalised. Seemed like the vapours that conveniently overcame Victorian ladies. Ha ha. In India, by strange coincidence, a similar story was unfolding involving Shashi Tharoor, once a high-flyer at the UN and now an Indian MP and minister, as well as a columnist and author. Suave, handsome and talented, he’s a prolific tweeter with two million followers. I have debated with him at conferences and met his third wife, the glamorous Sunanda Pushkar, while visiting India.

FEMALE political stakeholders have condemned the violence that characterised 2013 and have implored political parties to learn to co-exist.

 They said yesterday that violence was a hindrance to the participation of citizens, including women and youths, in the political and governance processes of the country.