More Women in Government: A Powerful Signal for Female Empowerment in Algerian Politics

Continuity and Renewal

Of the six women who served in the outgoing government, four have been reconfirmed in their posts, including Soraya Mouloudji at the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family and Women’s Affairs, and Houria Meddahi at the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts. Selma Bakhta Mansouri, Secretary of State for African Affairs, and Karima Tafer, Secretary of State for Mines, have also been maintained in their positions. Meanwhile, Kaoutar Krikou and Nadjiba Djilali swapped portfolios, with Krikou now overseeing Environment and Quality of Life, while Djilali takes over Relations with Parliament.

Three newcomers have entered the government, each appointed to ministries traditionally less accessible to women: Amel Abdellatif as Minister of Internal Trade and Market Regulation, Malika Bendouda as Minister of Culture and Arts, and Nassima Arhab as Minister of Vocational Training and Education. Their appointments stand as a powerful illustration of President Tebboune’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women across all spheres of public governance.

A Presidential Commitment Translated into Action

The President’s decision echoes his March 8 message on International Women’s Day, in which he reaffirmed his “constant commitment to strengthening women’s place in society and enabling them to access positions of high responsibility,” declaring that “Algeria, faithful to its authenticity, will advance toward modernity, sustainable development, and comprehensive renaissance thanks to all its devoted sons and daughters.”

By elevating the number of women ministers to nine, President Tebboune has demonstrated that his words were not mere rhetoric but a tangible political act. The move constitutes a notable advancement in women’s empowerment, underscoring a vision of balanced representation and signaling to younger generations that women’s participation is vital for Algeria’s governance and modernization.

This development also embodies the President’s vision of women not only as participants in public life but as equal partners in building the state. Algerian women, he stressed in his March 7 message, “celebrate International Women’s Day while translating their aspirations into reality, excelling in all sectors and domains, proving their merit in entrepreneurship, and demonstrating leadership in public affairs and civil society.”