Algeria ranked 120 for women’s political rights

Algeria is ranked 120 worldwide in terms of women’s political rights. In 2008, women were represented by six percent in Parliament, according to a new Maghrebin study.

• “A recent survey on 2,000 families showed that 70 percent of Algerians refuse to be presided over by a woman,” researcher Ait Zai told Echorouk on the sidelines of a parliamentary seminar held in Algiers on Saturday.
• “This makes women’s chances in the political life dependent on people’s mentality,” she added.
• “In 2000, Algerians rejected woman president by 40 percent while figures increased to 70 percent in 2008.”
• The researcher believes that the Algerian society is becoming more conservative although it is opening to the West.
• Participants in the seminar asked for quota system to be implemented to ensure the right of political participation for women.
• Some participants determined the quota by 40 percent in elected assemblies and 35 percent for candidates’ lists.
• Others considered the latest constitutional amendment as a “decorative law” meant to conceal violation of Algerian women’s rights in politics.