The University of Tunis El Manar and the University of Sousse, Thursday, officially announced the launch of the “We4lead” project, which seeks to provide equal gender opportunities and increase women’s access to leadership positions in higher education institutions in the Mediterranean region.
At a press conference held in Tunis, Project Coordinator Boutheina Ben Hsine underlined that this initiative aims to encourage female academics to access decision-making positions and run for elections of university rectorships and presidencies.
This project is part of the “Erasmus+” programme funded by the European Union, with the universities of Aix Marseille and the Lebanese University overseeing its implementation in collaboration with the University of Madrid, the universities of Constantine and Mostaghanem (Algeria), and the universities of Tunis-El Manar and Sousse.
She highlighted that this initiative represents the first project within the framework of good university governance. It includes training courses
and awareness campaigns to encourage women academics and researchers to progress in the scientific path as well as raise awareness on the need to combat gender-based violence; she added.
Director-General of International Cooperation at the Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministry, Malek Khochlef, underscored that women represent 66% of the total students in Tunisian universities, 56% of researchers, and approximately 50% of the university staff. Yet, their participation in university decision-making positions remains low.
Khochlef emphasised the importance of the “We4lead” project in promoting the status of women and their access to leadership positions in the academic space. It also seeks to achieve the fifth Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda related to gender equality.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse