Celebrating International Women's Day at the Tunis Stock Exchange
To commemorate International Women's Day, the Tunis Stock Exchange hosted a symbolic event dedicated to promoting equality between men and women, particularly in the economy and finance. Organized in partnership with the IFC and UN Women, this initiative highlighted the essential role of women in Tunisia's economic development.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was launched with the ringing of the bell, a powerful gesture that goes beyond a simple ritual. It reminds us that markets not only reflect the economy but can also transform it. Florence Basty, representative of UN Women, emphasized this idea: "By ringing this bell today, we affirm a common conviction that 'equality between women and men' is a necessary condition for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth." For her, fully exploiting the potential of Tunisian women is a significant force for stimulating economic development. She highlighted a striking paradox: "Tunisia has a very high level of female education, but economic participation remains low." In numbers, 60% of higher education graduates are women, and this percentage rises to 64% in scientific and technological fields (STEM), placing Tunisia among the best-ranked countries in the world.
Empowering Women in the Private Sector
Florence Basty stressed what the private sector and financial markets can do to correct the imbalance, including providing women with better access to employment, positions of responsibility, and financing. She recalled the importance of the Women's Empowerment Principles, an initiative led by UN Women and the United Nations Global Compact, which promotes inclusive leadership, equal pay, harassment prevention, professional development, and transparency in businesses. Globally, over 12,000 companies have already adopted these principles. In Tunisia, about 40 companies have committed to them, and Florence Basty expressed her hope to see this movement grow, thanks to the increasing involvement of the private sector and financial markets.
Conclusion
The event at the Tunis Stock Exchange was a significant step towards promoting gender equality in the economy and finance. By highlighting the essential role of women in Tunisia's economic development and encouraging the private sector to adopt the Women's Empowerment Principles, UN Women and its partners aim to create a more inclusive and sustainable economy for all.
