MRS DE MARCO VISITS TUNISIA

On Sunday, 20^th May, 2001, Mrs Violet de Marco left Malta for Tunisia. The invitation was made by the wife of the Tunisian President Mme. Leila Ben Ali to Mrs. de Marco. During her stay in Tunisia, Mrs. de Marco will be meeting Mme. Ben Ali as well as the Minister for Women and Family Affairs Mme. Naziha Zarrouk.

Mme. Ben Ali will receive Mrs. de Marco and the two first ladies will discuss the current situation of women in Malta and Tunisia as well as the achievements of women in the two countries. During her stay in Tunisia, Mrs de Marco will be visiting a cultural centre named after Tahar Haddad, a Tunisian intellectual who advocated, among other things, the right of women to education and independence. Mrs. de Marco will then meet Mme Zarrouk where they will discuss the status and advancement of women in their respective countries. Mrs de Marco will be given a presentation showing the highlights of what Tunisian women have achieved. This presentation will be made by the Centre of Research, Studies, Documentation and Information on Women, and Mrs de Marco will also be informed of the activities currently being undertaken by this Centre.

The invitation extended to the wife of the President of Malta has also a cultural and humanitarian aspect. Mrs. de Marco is scheduled to go to Sidi Achour, a project sponsored by the National Solidarity Fund. Mrs de Marco will also be taken to visit SOS Gammarth, a village for orphaned and abandoned children.

Mrs de Marco will leave Tunisia on Thursday, 24^th May, 2001.