Speaking at the opening of the Conference on 'Women and Local Government' in Tunis on 26 September, Congress President Gudrun Mosler-Törnström welcomed 'the deep changes that have taken place in Tunisia since 2011 and the historic opportunities they open up, particularly with regard to the participation of women '. While the Tunisian Constitution of 2014, the electoral law and the draft Local Government Code, currently under consideration by the Assembly of People's Representatives, pay close attention to the place of women, they remain strongly under- represented in public life. “Engaging all members in society and ensuring the participation of women is a fundamental requirement, especially in view of the first Tunisian municipal elections, because a society cannot be free and democratic if the liberty and dignity of half of its members are not guaranteed and upheld,” the Congress President highlighted. Sharing her experience as a local politician, she added that “ Tunisia is not alone in facing the issues of low participation of women. The situation in European countries is unfortunately not satisfactory either”. “The obstacles are not only political,' she added, and “a profound change in mentalities and cultures, rooted in centuries of tradition, is necessary.” “The integration of women into society is a long and difficult process that will require strong commitment from all actors, including local authorities,” she concluded. This Conference is co-organised by the Congress and the Directorate General of Democracy of the Council of Europe, the Tunisian Ministry of Women, Family and Children and the Ministry of Local Affairs and Environment. It is part of the co-operation project implemented by the Congress in Tunisia.

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