DR. NOMALUNGELO GINA, DEPUTY MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

GUESTS,
ALL PROTOCOL OBSERVED,

Dear Dr Gina, allow me to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for your presence here today. We appreciate your acceptance of our invitation. I would also like to extend my sincerest thanks to the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (and my amazing team from the Tunisian Embassy) for their invaluable contributions and support in organising this joint event to celebrate Women and Girls all over the world and pay tribute to all their struggles, successes and stories.

We also have to congratulate ourselves as we signed (Tunisia and South Africa) mid-July an ambitious action plan, which includes launching a new joint call for research in key fields such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, water, energy, and health. So Mabrouk to Us and more events and programs are to come inchallah.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

Every 13 August, Tunisia celebrates its National Women’s Day. This date commemorates the enactment of the Code of Personal Status on August 13, 1956, shortly after Tunisia gained independence. This Code was a ground-breaking set of laws that established women's rights in Tunisia, including: Granting women access to education and employment.

To celebrate this day, we choose to focus on the role of cooperation in the scientific field as a tool to achieve women's Empowerment, and to highlight the national and African endeavours as well as the opportunities for cooperation.

Definitely, willing to ensure Women's Empowerment and fully aware of the crucial role that science plays in achieving that goal, Tunisia has made significant efforts to promote equality in education since its independence in 1956.

We had implemented policies aimed at ensuring access to education for all and at providing knowledge, tools, and opportunities that help bridge gender gaps and promote equality, regardless of gender, socioeconomic background, or geographic location. As a result, Tunisia has achieved near gender parity in education, with girls often outperforming boys in enrolment and graduation rates.

Indeed, Tunisia ranks first in the world for the proportion of female students enrolled in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with a rate reaching 43.3%, and ranks second globally for the proportion of women graduating from higher education in these fields. At the national level, during the last academic year, 2024-2025, the enrolment rate in schools for girls reached 83%, and their university enrolment rate was 66%. In scientific specialities, they represent 70.4% in the medical field and 56.3% in engineering. Furthermore, women represent 70% of graduates and 62% of PhD holders. And WE ARE VERY VERY PROUD.

At a personal level, (I guess I can share with you a secret between us and us), I don’t have a scientific background, but my daughter does, and because of her tenacity and resilience, she gave me and still a lesson in life with the same modus operandi: dream big, work hard and never give up. She was by herself in Canada during COVID-19 times, struggling to have her degree in Biomedical Science and Technology from McGill University (not easy at all). And she made it.

She is 25 years old today, working in the medical and paramedical field, and is happy to help others. It is true that “life doesn't get easier (BUT) we get stronger”. Resilience and perseverance are the Keys.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

Celebrating National Women's Day in both Tunisia and South Africa is a renewed occasion to appraise the progress made in gender equality and Women's empowerment. It is also an opportunity to assess the remaining challenges, including in the scientific field.

These challenges include the under-representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, especially in higher academic ranks where the gender gap continues to widen further, as well as the persistent stereotypes, the unequal career opportunities, the pay gap, and the harassment and discrimination.

Given that, those challenges are common at the African level, Science diplomacy plays a crucial role in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Actually, by promoting inclusive policies, fostering education, and creating opportunities for women.

Science diplomacy helps bridge gender gaps and enhances socio-economic development. Through the leveraging of bilateral, regional and international collaborations, Science Diplomacy accelerates progress toward SDG 5 of the 2030 UN Agenda related to Gender Equality, and creates a more inclusive future in science and technology.

Excellencies, Honourable Guests,

Today’s event is a renewed occasion to stand in solidarity with Palestinian women and girls who have been denied their basic rights of peace and freedom. We must pay tribute to their resilience and courage. We also want to take advantage of this opportunity to express our full solidarity with them and reaffirm their right to freedom, self-determination, and life itself. This event is also an opportunity to express our solidarity with all women worldwide who are struggling for a better life.

In conclusion, I wanted to give the Tunisian young generation the opportunity to take the lead and be vocal at today’s event. Please let me introduce you to a video recorded in 2021 by two 14-year-old girls, Amina Ellouze and Mariam Boussarssar. It is a message of hope and resilience (what a nice word) to encourage girls to choose science, “don’t be scared, but be confident”.

Thank you for being around and for your kind attention.