Women in charge?

Agree with Frenchieman who said, "But sometimes a little affirmative action gets the ball rolling... It's cultural, and without a little push it won't change."

The 1st step is the most difficult for any new endeavour or innovative ideas so the ladies need all the help and support they can get from you gentlemen. :0)

Having said that, sometimes women can be their own worst enemies (heard this of some women's experiences in KSA and other places too), and that's when they also need all the help and support they can get from you gentlemen. :P

There may be dating and romance inside the parliament, like the high school only this time, the main issues will be either male or female.

Frenchieman, it has not been that long that women in Qatar are the better educated educated gender. Give it some time and they will be a force in Qatari politics too.

HH Sheikha Moza is obviously a leading example.

Why keep mentioning Qatar ? They are two completetly different societies.

The aricle clearly states that "Women feature relatively strongly in public life in Tunisia compared to some of their more oppressive Muslim neighbours.

They represent 26 percent of the working population, half of students, 29 percent of magistrates and 24 percent of the Tunisian diplomatic corps "

How can women figure into Tunisian public life when public life and free politics is new in Tunisia?

Qatar has elections in which women are allowed to run, but they generally don't, even though women citizens are on average better educated. I'm sure plenty more would run if they thought they had a chance.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/293171.stm

Not the same thing. A person enters politics to serve the people. You have to want to do it.

Yes, by all means put the mechanisms in place, but don't force it. As the article says "Women feature relatively strongly in public life in Tunisia"..

So, there is no need to push this..

britexpat--you mean like here, where women legally have the equal chance to run in elections as men? Yes, its billboards' faces show how much of springboard it has been.

Some things need to be pushed for the good of society. Otherwise segregation would still dominate the US and apartheid would reign in South Africa.

Fact: women leaders of nations are more likely to go to war than male ones.

Positive discrimination does not work. Give women the equal chance to participate in politics, then they can use this a springboard.

i don't think women in politics will be a bad idea..it's now time for women to be given equal rights and chance in any way..may it in politics or in decision making..

Women in politics is bad idea. Tunisia is a democracy let the people have the freedom to decide and you will see, even the women they will vote for the men.

women must be given equal chance..we are created equally no matter the religion and nationality we came from..i'm just so grateful that i came from a democratic country we're in women we're given equal chance..has the right to do what she pleases and has the right to speak on what's in her mind as long as she will not hurt anybody..it's good to have women in the position in the government..women are more compassionate..no offense meant to the guys..

But sometimes a little affirmative action gets the ball rolling. Without it Tunisia could leave 50% is voters neglected. Just look at the billboards round town here. How many women? It's cultural, and without a little push it won't change. No one says people have to vote for them.

Agree with britex. It should be based on skill, not gender.

Of course, forcing the matter may only be necessary in the beginning,but it could also backfire...if some of the women do not have the necessary skills and are put into place only to satisfy the quota.

whilst I agree that women should have participation, it is wrong to force it in this way.