Prime Minister Najla Bouden met on Tuesday at the Government Palace in the Kasbah with former President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, a winner of the Fatima al-Fihri award.

Najla Bouden congratulated the former President of Malta on receiving Monday the Fatima al-Fihri award presented by the Ministry of Family, Women, Children and Seniors to leading figures in support of women’s rights from the Mediterranean countries.

The meeting focused on “the importance of taking care of children and youth and the need to give priority to strengthening the educational system through the development of education and training programmes,” according to a statement from the Prime Ministry.

It also emphasised the need to work to take into account the human dimension by combating the phenomena of poverty, early dropout from school and migration.

Najla Bouden and Marie-Louise Coleiro stressed that “combating irregular migration requires a comprehensive approach to reduce it,” in addition to considering programmes aimed at economic empowerment and taking care of children and youth.

the Fatima al-Fihri award was presented Monday to eight women who distinguished themselves for their contribution and in recognition of their work in various fields, including the late Maya Jribi and Ahlam Belhaj, from the political and rights spheres.

This year’s recipients from outside Tunisia included former President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca for launching several initiatives and associations in support of human rights as well as for supporting efforts to combat cancer.

Algerian novelist Rabia Djelti, who served as a professor at the University of Oran, also won the award for her novels and poetry.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse