Najla Bouden Tunisian statesman Date of Birth: 29.06.1958 Country: Tunisia

1. Najla Bouden: Tunisia's First Female Prime Minister
2. Rise to Power
3. A Career in Education
4. Prime Minister of Tunisia
5. Breaking Barriers

Najla Bouden: Tunisia's First Female Prime Minister

Najla Bouden, born on June 29, 1958 in Kairouan, made history as the first female Prime Minister of Tunisia in 2021.

Rise to Power

On July 25, 2021, President Kais Saied suspended Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and assumed executive power. On September 22, Saied expanded his authority, making the government accountable to the presidency rather than parliament.

A Career in Education

Before her appointment, Bouden served as the Head of Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Tunisia since 2011. She is a professor of geology at the National School of Engineering in Tunis.

Prime Minister of Tunisia

On September 29, 2021, President Saied tasked Bouden with forming a new government. On October 11, she was sworn in as Prime Minister, despite objections from the opposition Islamist Ennahda Party, which denounced the process as unconstitutional.

Breaking Barriers

Bouden's appointment marked a significant milestone for Tunisia, becoming the first woman to lead the country's government. Her appointment is a testament to the growing role of women in leadership positions and the ongoing progress towards gender equality in Tunisia.