Coordinator, International Relations Commission, Ettakatol Political Party, Tunisia
In Tunisia, women represent nearly 27 percent of the national parliament. In 2011, Tunisians took a leading role in the Arab Spring. As a result of the revolution, reforms were initiated including language in the newly drafted Constitution and Electoral Law that guarantees parity between men and women in all elected assemblies; general elections are expected to take place in late 2014. Samia Melki Fessi serves as the coordinator of the International Relations Commission and is a member of the National Council in the Ettakatol political party where she cofounded the Ettakatol women’s wing. Fessi has been active in civil society and politics for 35 years and is a leading advocate for women’s empowerment and participation in politics. Fessi served as head of the National Chamber of Tunisian Youth where she organized the first demonstration in Tunisia, where citizens demanded public access to the internet. In addition, Fessi serves as a faculty member at the Ecole Superieure de Commerce at the University of Manouba in Tunisia, where she is an international coach on communications, and teaches on women’s roles in building democracy in countries across the region.
Diplomatic Courier honors the Top Global Women who have worked to improve the world. Download the entire list here.
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Samia Melki Fessi
March 25, 2014
Coordinator, International Relations Commission, Ettakatol Political Party, Tunisia
In Tunisia, women represent nearly 27 percent of the national parliament. In 2011, Tunisians took a leading role in the Arab Spring. As a result of the revolution, reforms were initiated including language in the newly drafted Constitution and Electoral Law that guarantees parity between men and women in all elected assemblies; general elections are expected to take place in late 2014. Samia Melki Fessi serves as the coordinator of the International Relations Commission and is a member of the National Council in the Ettakatol political party where she cofounded the Ettakatol women’s wing. Fessi has been active in civil society and politics for 35 years and is a leading advocate for women’s empowerment and participation in politics. Fessi served as head of the National Chamber of Tunisian Youth where she organized the first demonstration in Tunisia, where citizens demanded public access to the internet. In addition, Fessi serves as a faculty member at the Ecole Superieure de Commerce at the University of Manouba in Tunisia, where she is an international coach on communications, and teaches on women’s roles in building democracy in countries across the region.
Diplomatic Courier honors the Top Global Women who have worked to improve the world. Download the entire list here.
