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Small Victory for Women in Arab Politics

The Arab Human Development Report, put out by the United Nations, has continuously requested from the Arab world to promote affirmative action policies in order to guarantee the region?s women an integral part in community and political fields. Traditionally, women who have been appointed as politicians in many Arab countries were put into power for ?window dressing for ruling regimes, according to a recent UN report.

A small victory for women, however, has been won in Algeria, whose main opposition party recently elected a woman as its leader. After 23 years as head of the Progressive Democratic Party, Nejib Chebbi resigned from power and May Elieribi, a 46-year-old research company manager, was elected in his place. ?This is another opportunity for women in Tunisia to fight, not only by working in associations and unions but by taking part in political activity in an important opposition party?, Elieribi told reporters.

As part of her plan of action, the new leader will fight for more freedom of speech and movement for the citizens of her country, despite the fact that Algeria, compared to other Arab countries, is considered reasonably progressive when it comes to gender equality and censorship. Elieribi will also demand amnesty for many of the country?s political prisoners. She is only the second woman in history to head a political party in the Maghreb region.