Meherzia Labidi Maïza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Meherzia Labidi Maïza
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| Born | 17 December 1963 Hammamet, Tunisia
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| Died | 22 January 2021 (aged 57) |
| Nationality | Tunisian |
| Education | University of Paris III: Sorbonne Nouvelle |
| Political party | Ennahda Movement |
| Children | 3 |
Meherzia Labidi Maïza (Arabic: محرزية العبيدي معيزة) was an important politician from Tunisia. She was born on December 17, 1963, and passed away on January 22, 2021. She was also a skilled translator and interpreter. Meherzia made history by becoming the first female deputy speaker of Tunisia's Constituent Assembly. This assembly helped create Tunisia's new rules.
She was known as the highest-ranking elected woman in the Middle East. Meherzia was very proud of her work to protect women's rights in Tunisia's new constitution. This happened after a big change in the country called the Arab Spring.
Early Life and Education
Meherzia Labidi was born on December 17, 1963. Her hometown was El Meziraâ, near Hammamet in Nabeul Governorate, Tunisia. She finished high school in Grombalia in 1982. After that, she went to study at the Ecole Normale Superieure in Sousse.
In 1986, Labidi-Maïza got married. She moved to France with her husband, who was an engineer. There, she studied at the École supérieure d'interprètes et de traducteurs at the University of Paris III: Sorbonne Nouvelle. She earned a master's degree in economics and translation. In 1992, she also got a special degree in English literature and theatre studies. Later, she taught translation at the European Institute of Human Sciences in St. Denis.
Her Career and Work
In 2004, Meherzia Labidi-Maïza wrote a book with Laurent Klein. It was called Abraham, réveille-toi, ils sont devenus fous! (Abraham, Wake Up. They Are Going Crazy). She often gave talks about education in different cultures. She also spoke about women, religion, and society. From 2006, she led the Global Women of Faith Network.
In 2009, Labidi-Maïza joined the European Council of religious leaders. She became well-known when she shared a balanced view on wearing the niqab. This was during discussions in France about rules for wearing it. In 2015, she was the honorary president of Religions for Peace. This is a group based in New York that works with the United Nations.
Her Political Journey
On October 23, 2011, Labidi-Maïza was chosen to be part of the Tunisian Constituent Assembly. She represented Tunisians living abroad for the Ennahda Movement party. She noted that a rule helped her get elected. This rule said that every other candidate had to be a woman. On November 22, she became the First Deputy Speaker of the assembly. She received 142 out of 214 votes. In 2012, people called her the "most senior elected woman in the Middle East."
Labidi-Maïza helped lead the discussions that created Tunisia's new constitution. She was very proud that women's rights were included in Article 45 of this constitution. Huffington Post named her one of eight women who "made the world a better place" in 2014. The new constitution was created after the Arab Spring. She said it was "like giving birth: painful, but in the end everyone is happy when the child arrives."
Meherzia Labidi-Maïza was a citizen of both France and Tunisia. Her father had eight children. He told them they all had to graduate before thinking about marriage. She was married and had two daughters and one son.
Labidi-Maïza was elected again in October 2014. This time, she joined the assembly of representatives of the people. She represented the Nabeul area in north-east Tunisia. In 2015, she was still a member of the Tunisian government. She led its committee for women, family, children, and the elderly.
Her Passing
Meherzia Labidi-Maïza was reported to have gotten sick in late 2020. In mid-November, she moved to France to get medical care. Her health got worse from early December. She passed away in the early hours of January 22, 2021. Her body was brought back to Tunisia on January 23. She was buried at Grombalia cemetery in Nabeul on January 24.
