UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 76) The provisions of Decree No. 35 of 2011, which enshrined the principle of parity between women and men in rotation-based electoral lists, helped to increase the number of women in the National Constituent Assembly. However, they occupied only 65 of the 217 seats, that is to say 29.95 per cent. The percentage recorded in the 2014 legislative elections rose to 31.3 per cent of the seats in the Assembly of Representatives of the People. This ratio evolved when vacancies occurred in the Assembly, rising to 34.56 per cent, or 75 seats occupied by women. As a result, the principle of horizontal and vertical parity was enshrined in the electoral bill for the municipalities, which will lead to an increase in the participation of women in local government.
Para 77) In 2012 a number of programmes and activities were organized to encourage women to participate in public and political life by raising women voters’ awareness of the initiative aimed at including them in electoral lists, involving them in voting procedures, and supporting their participation in the running of polling stations and the monitoring of elections. The events included an international seminar on the political participation of women in October 2012.

UN Compilation:
Para 72) HRW noted that the 2014 Constitution provides improved protection for women’s rights and obligates Tunisia to work towards achieving gender parity in elected assemblies during national, regional and municipal elections.