On the occasion of World Women's Day

- 7th march 2009 : President Ben Ali's message to UNFT chairperson

On the occasion of World Women's Day, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali sent the following message to Mrs. Aziza Htira, chairwoman of the National Union of Tunisian Women (UNFT) :

"Mrs. Aziza Htira, President of UNFT, It is my pleasure, as Tunisia celebrates with the whole international community the World Women's Day, to extend to you, and to members of UNFT Executive Board, my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.

It is also my pleasure to extend my regards to all Tunisian women at home and abroad, wishing them many happy returns, in welfare and prosperity.

The celebration of the International Women's Day coincides this year with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and with Tunisia's presidency, in the person of Mrs Leila Ben Ali, of the Arab Women Organisation.

Our country will thus be for a two-year period the Arab women's capital, which is a new opportunity to highlight Tunisia's avant-garde role in this field, at the Arab and regional scales, and to reaffirm its aptitudes to improving women's conditions in all fields.

We have relentlessly endeavoured to promote women's rights in Tunisia, in continuation of an unremitting process of reforms and modernisation. We have consolidated women's presence in all sectors of activity and production.

We have reinforced their position in the responsibility and decision-making posts, out of conviction that there would not be any real and efficient development, within the family and society, without women's participation. I am convinced that Tunisian women are fully aware of the importance of the forthcoming political events in Tunisia, on top of which the 2009 presidential and legislative elections. I am also persuaded that the Tunisian women are entirely ready to contribute to the success of these great events and consolidate the pluralist democratic process in Tunisia.

While expressing consideration to UNFT for its rich activist career, its abnegation and devotion, I reassert my conviction that UNFT will carry on its diligent action to consecrate the society of moderation, modernity and progress, and reinforce our comprehensive development work, in the service of our people and the homeland.

Best wishes to Tunisian women."