The Kairouan Local Democracy Agency led the PARFAIT project’s activities in building women’s capacity to improve their participation in public life and in the local decision-making process.
Following the municipal elections of May 6, 2018, a first in the country’s history, the Kairouan LDA interviewed three women beneficiaries of the PARFAIT project on their post-election experience. We asked them to express how they felt about this new democratic experience, but also how the PARFAIT training courses contributed to their participation as citizens, and how they see their role as citizens in the future.
Mouna Alouini, young woman of 28 years old, active in the civil society, Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Multimedia – PERFECT Participant
Mouna attended all the PARFAIT trainings and took part in the activities of the voting awareness truck project during the 26th and 27th of April in Kairouan Ville. She then applied for and obtained the position of sorting and counting officer at the sorting center of the entire governorate of Kairouan.
This is Mouna’s first experience in participating in the electoral sorting process. According to her, the team that worked with her was competent and well supervised by professional officials. Mouna did not observe any major problems during the sorting process. She added that several control mechanisms were put in place such as the presence of observers from the ISIE and international observers, including from the European Union and also local observers who monitor the process of sorting and counting the votes.
Mouna has been registered to vote since 2011 and voted in the recent municipal elections. According to her, the PERFECT trainings have motivated her and made her aware of her role as an active citizen engaged in the democratic process. The choice was not an easy one. According to her, like many young people, she does not trust the political class. However, she voted because it is her duty and her right.
She voted and participated as a sorting officer because she wants to contribute to the democratic transition of her country, especially since in this political context, these are the first democratic municipal elections in the history of Tunisia. Mouna believes that these municipal elections are essential in that they have the potential to bring about real change in the lives of citizens. Mouna also added that the PERFECT training and knowledge she had access to allowed her to be well prepared for the selection interview to become a sorting agent and contributed to her final selection.
Mouna believes that we must now actively focus on our role as citizens by participating in the work of the municipalities, monitoring her activities and those of elected officials and making them accountable for the vote she cast.
Moufida Bchir, 55 years old, President of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women, Kairouan – Perfect Participant
According to Moufida, the polling stations were correct and organized. She also said that her choice was already made for the vote. Although she and her family members were able to discuss it, each was convinced of her choice, and no one was exerting influence or pressure on the other. She noted, being a voter in the previous elections, that citizens seemed more motivated to vote compared to the May 6 elections.
For Moufida, the PERFECT trainings motivated women and even tempted them to be candidates or future candidates. The trainings sensitized these women to their role as actively engaged citizens and to their right and duty to vote. Moufida herself took the role of sensitizer to transmit this motivation to her entourage. Like Mouna, Moufida is better able to hold her municipality accountable for the vote she cast. But she also affirms that she is part of this responsibility and that she shares it as a citizen.
Having contact with other PERFECT women, especially women candidates, according to Moufida, these women are experiencing politics for the first time. For them, the municipal elections were a motivating force to become more involved in their communities and to become seasoned and experienced candidates who are better able to bring about palpable change at the local level.
Having contacts with other PERFECT women, especially women candidates, according to Moufida, these women are experiencing politics for the first time. For them, the municipal elections were a motivating force to become more involved in their communities and to become seasoned and experienced candidates who are better able to bring about palpable change at the local level.
With regard to gender parity in the preliminary results of the municipal elections, for Moufida it is a dream come true and proof that the work of civil society has not been in vain and that the fruits of the struggle for gender parity have begun to be reaped. Noting this, Moufida affirms that it is a new starting point to continue the struggle and to move towards a greater margin for equality between women and men.
Wided Amara, 50 years old – Candidate on the independent list of “AlTahalof AlMadani” (list number 4)
Wided told us that he was pleased that his list was able to secure positions at the municipal level.
The election campaign and the conduct of the elections was a very motivating and positive experience for her. For Wided, it was the first time she had been involved in political activity. During the campaign, Wided was very motivated and was able to give her all she had. She told us that one of the main reasons for her motivation was her love for her city and for the good of it and for the desire to see it one day rise among the most developed and attractive cities in Tunisia and enjoy the status it deserves in view of its rich historical and cultural heritage.
Wided also expressed his wish that individuals holding political positions be cultivated and up to their status and responsibilities.
Wided also said he was very pleased with the political parity in the election results. For her, women are the engines of society and therefore must actively and continuously contribute to the political activity of their society.
Finally, she found the PERFECT trainings beneficial and useful for her and expressed her wish to continue to participate and benefit from any other activities offered by this project.
ADL Kairouan, in view of the end of the PARFAIT training cycle, was able to start its work as a citizen activist, especially female citizens.
Indeed, today, the ADL is called upon to fully exercise its role as an energizer between citizens and the newly elected municipal council.
Done in Kairouan on May 16, 2018
The Kairouan Local Democracy Agency led the PARFAIT project’s activities in building women’s capacity to improve their participation in public life and in the local decision-making process.
Following the municipal elections of May 6, 2018, a first in the country’s history, the Kairouan LDA interviewed three women beneficiaries of the PARFAIT project on their post-election experience. We asked them to express how they felt about this new democratic experience, but also how the PARFAIT training courses contributed to their participation as citizens, and how they see their role as citizens in the future.
Mouna Alouini, young woman of 28 years old, active in the civil society, Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Multimedia – PERFECT Participant
Mouna attended all the PARFAIT trainings and took part in the activities of the voting awareness truck project during the 26th and 27th of April in Kairouan Ville. She then applied for and obtained the position of sorting and counting officer at the sorting center of the entire governorate of Kairouan.
This is Mouna’s first experience in participating in the electoral sorting process. According to her, the team that worked with her was competent and well supervised by professional officials. Mouna did not observe any major problems during the sorting process. She added that several control mechanisms were put in place such as the presence of observers from the ISIE and international observers, including from the European Union and also local observers who monitor the process of sorting and counting the votes.
Mouna has been registered to vote since 2011 and voted in the recent municipal elections. According to her, the PERFECT trainings have motivated her and made her aware of her role as an active citizen engaged in the democratic process. The choice was not an easy one. According to her, like many young people, she does not trust the political class. However, she voted because it is her duty and her right.
She voted and participated as a sorting officer because she wants to contribute to the democratic transition of her country, especially since in this political context, these are the first democratic municipal elections in the history of Tunisia. Mouna believes that these municipal elections are essential in that they have the potential to bring about real change in the lives of citizens. Mouna also added that the PERFECT training and knowledge she had access to allowed her to be well prepared for the selection interview to become a sorting agent and contributed to her final selection.
Mouna believes that we must now actively focus on our role as citizens by participating in the work of the municipalities, monitoring her activities and those of elected officials and making them accountable for the vote she cast.
Moufida Bchir, 55 years old, President of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women, Kairouan – Perfect Participant
According to Moufida, the polling stations were correct and organized. She also said that her choice was already made for the vote. Although she and her family members were able to discuss it, each was convinced of her choice, and no one was exerting influence or pressure on the other. She noted, being a voter in the previous elections, that citizens seemed more motivated to vote compared to the May 6 elections.
For Moufida, the PERFECT trainings motivated women and even tempted them to be candidates or future candidates. The trainings sensitized these women to their role as actively engaged citizens and to their right and duty to vote. Moufida herself took the role of sensitizer to transmit this motivation to her entourage. Like Mouna, Moufida is better able to hold her municipality accountable for the vote she cast. But she also affirms that she is part of this responsibility and that she shares it as a citizen.
Having contact with other PERFECT women, especially women candidates, according to Moufida, these women are experiencing politics for the first time. For them, the municipal elections were a motivating force to become more involved in their communities and to become seasoned and experienced candidates who are better able to bring about palpable change at the local level.
Having contacts with other PERFECT women, especially women candidates, according to Moufida, these women are experiencing politics for the first time. For them, the municipal elections were a motivating force to become more involved in their communities and to become seasoned and experienced candidates who are better able to bring about palpable change at the local level.
With regard to gender parity in the preliminary results of the municipal elections, for Moufida it is a dream come true and proof that the work of civil society has not been in vain and that the fruits of the struggle for gender parity have begun to be reaped. Noting this, Moufida affirms that it is a new starting point to continue the struggle and to move towards a greater margin for equality between women and men.
Wided Amara, 50 years old – Candidate on the independent list of “AlTahalof AlMadani” (list number 4)
Wided told us that he was pleased that his list was able to secure positions at the municipal level.
The election campaign and the conduct of the elections was a very motivating and positive experience for her. For Wided, it was the first time she had been involved in political activity. During the campaign, Wided was very motivated and was able to give her all she had. She told us that one of the main reasons for her motivation was her love for her city and for the good of it and for the desire to see it one day rise among the most developed and attractive cities in Tunisia and enjoy the status it deserves in view of its rich historical and cultural heritage.
Wided also expressed his wish that individuals holding political positions be cultivated and up to their status and responsibilities.
Wided also said he was very pleased with the political parity in the election results. For her, women are the engines of society and therefore must actively and continuously contribute to the political activity of their society.
Finally, she found the PERFECT trainings beneficial and useful for her and expressed her wish to continue to participate and benefit from any other activities offered by this project.
ADL Kairouan, in view of the end of the PARFAIT training cycle, was able to start its work as a citizen activist, especially female citizens.
Indeed, today, the ADL is called upon to fully exercise its role as an energizer between citizens and the newly elected municipal council.
Done in Kairouan on May 16, 2018