The Tunisian president Zine al Abidine Ben Ali introduced an extensive reshuffle, January, 14 2010. A woman, Mrs. Bebia Chihi has been appointed to head the Ministry of Women affair, Family, Children and seniors, replacing Mrs. Sarra Kanoun Jarraya.
Contrary to expectations, the number of women in the Tunisian government has not increased, since only one woman is appointed minister out of a total of 30.
Mrs. Bebia Chihi holds a law degree and two graduate degrees from the NationalSchool of administration (ENA) and the Customs National School of Paris as well as a Diploma from the institute of National Defence.
Before her recent nomination as Minister of Women’s affair, Family, Children and Seniors, Mrs Bebia Chihi has held several positions within the General Head Office of Customs, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Small and Medium-sized businesses before being named president of the National Company of Oil Distribution (Agil).
Mrs Bebia Chihi has participated in several national committees including the National Commission for negotiating accession to the GATT and World Trade Organization (WTO), the National Commission for negotiations with the EU and National Committee for negotiation in the framework of the free trade.
She has also participated since 2002 in the works of several reflection committees within the Democratic Constitutional Rally.
Mrs Bebia Chihi is an officer of the Order of the Republic and Chevalier of the Order of November 7th. She is married and mother of two children.
Source : http://www.femmes.tn/fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=624&Itemid=89 The new composition of the Tunisian government is available at: http://www.tap.info.tn/fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10536&Itemid=1
