Born: 1958 (Kairouan, Tunisia)
Biography:
Najla Bouden, also known as Najla Bouden Romdhane, is a Tunisian geologist, university professor, and politician. She was born on June 29, 1958, in Kairouan, Tunisia. Bouden made history on October 11, 2021, when she became the first female Prime Minister of Tunisia and the Arab world.
Bouden’s academic journey began with her graduation from ESTP Paris in 1983, where she earned a degree in engineering. She furthered her education by obtaining a doctorate in geology from Mines ParisTech in 1987, specializing in earthquake engineering. Her expertise in the field of geosciences, particularly in seismic hazards, led her to train numerous executives at the Tunisian Petroleum Activities Company.
Throughout her career, Bouden held various positions in the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. In 2011, she was appointed as the Director-General within the Ministry, and in 2015, she served in the cabinet of Minister Slim Choura. Bouden’s significant contributions to education did not stop there. In September 2016, she took charge of the World Bank-funded program PromEssE, a $70 million initiative aimed at reforming and modernizing university education. This program played a crucial role in addressing the issue of high unemployment rates among Tunisian graduates.
Bouden’s political career took off amid the Tunisian political crisis in 2021. On September 29, President Kais Saied appointed her to form a new government, replacing Hichem Mechichi, who had been dismissed earlier that year. As the first woman to hold the position of Prime Minister in Tunisia, Bouden’s appointment made her a trailblazer not only within the country but also in the Maghreb region and the Arab world. President Saied acknowledged the significance of her appointment, describing it as an honor to Tunisia and Tunisian women. On October 11, 2021, Bouden and her government members took the oath at the Presidential Palace of Carthage.
Outside of her professional achievements, Bouden’s family background also reflects a commitment to education and science. Her father, Mohamed Bouden, was a professor at Sadiki College and later became the headmaster of Lycée Alaoui. Bouden herself is married to the ophthalmologist Kamel Romdhane, and together they have two children.
Awards:
– Officer of the National Order of Merit of Tunisia (2016)