Mrs. Sarra Kanoun Jarraya, minister of the affairs of women, family, children and the elderly, conferred, on Friday in Tunis, with a delegation of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Arab world regional council that had taken part in the council's 39th session held on August 26-28 in Tunis.

The minister briefed her guests on the gains achieved for Tunisian women, under the impetus of President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali.

These gains, she said, have enhanced the presence of women in decision-making and responsibility positions and stepped up their contribution to the development work.

For her part, Mrs. Kawthar El Kheir, chairwoman of the council's regional executive committee, commended the vanguard Tunisian experience in matters of population and planned parenthood.

This experience, she pointed out, earned Tunisia the consideration and admiration of international authorities.

Mr. Moncef Ben Ibrahim, IPPF regional council chairman, raised the disparities prevailing in Arab countries with regard to women's condition and reproductive health.

He expressed the hope that the Arab countries will follow the model of Tunisia, so as to reduce the infant mortality rate and eradicate all family health-related diseases.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, 29 August 2008