Mujeres Nobel

 

Ouided Bouchamaoui

Nobel Peace Prize, 2015

She was born on October 18, 1961 in Gabès (Tunisia). She worked for her family’s business and after studying International Trade and Marketing, she started her own company.

She lived the dictatorship of Zine Ben Alí, and in 2011, after 23 years in power, he was overthrown by the Jasmine Revolution, which soon spread to nearby countries, being known as the Arab Spring. The conflict intensified leading the country to the brink of civil war.

It was then that four civil organizations decided to join so as to mediate with the political parties in conflict and, in September 2013, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet was formed in order to ensure a democratic transition. It was formed by organizations that enjoyed great credibility in the country: the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the Tunisian Order of Lawyers (ONAT), the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), and the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA).

That same year, Ouided Bouchamaoui had been elected president of the entrepreneurs and led UTICA: The idea of launching the national dialogue emerged on June 25, 2013, following the second murder of a politician ... These deaths were the spring that made us think that something had to be done for Tunisia.

Under the mediation of the Quartet, Islamists and secular parties cooperated and, overcoming their bitter confrontations and partisan interests, led the country into the democratic path. On January 26, 2014, Tunisia passed a new Constitution, the most egalitarian and democratic in the Arab world, and in October, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections took place. The Quartet's goal was a reality and it was dissolved in December, 2014.

In 2015 the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet received the Nobel Peace Prize: For its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia after the Jasmine Revolution of 2011.

Ouided Bouchamaoui continues to raise her voice in defense of women and democracy in international forums.