Khalida Boufdaich has been elected as the president of the Algerian People's National Assembly, the first woman to hold the post since independence [1, 2].
The appointment marks a significant shift in the gender dynamics of Algeria's legislative leadership. By placing a woman in the role of speaker, the government signals a strategic move to increase female representation within the country's highest parliamentary body [1, 2].
Boufdaich assumed the leadership role on July 2, 2024 [2]. Her election followed a parliamentary cycle in which the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) secured a majority of seats [1, 2]. Specifically, the FLN won 91 of the 407 available seats in the parliamentary election [2].
While Boufdaich's rise to the presidency of the assembly is a historic milestone, women's overall presence in the legislature remains low. Only 25 women were elected to the Assembly [2]. This figure represents approximately 6.14% of the total membership [2].
Algeria gained its independence in 1962 [1]. For more than six decades following that event, the position of president of the People's National Assembly had been held exclusively by men [1, 2].
The selection of Boufdaich was a nomination by the FLN, leveraging their majority position to install her as the head of the chamber in Algiers [1, 2].
“the first woman to hold the post since independence”
Boufdaich's election is a symbolic victory for gender equality in Algerian politics, breaking a ceiling that had existed since 1962. However, the fact that women hold only 6.14% of the assembly seats suggests that while the leadership is diversifying, the broader legislative body has not yet achieved significant gender parity.
