Making History: Tunisia’s New 10-Dinar Banknote

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The Central Bank of Tunisia redesigned its 10 dinar banknote to honor a contemporary figure who made significant contributions to the country; Bank Governor Marouane El Abassi described the honoree as “a bearer of Tunisian expertise.”
The new banknote debuted in spring 2020.
The banknote features the late Tawhida Ben Cheikh (1909–2010), Tunisia’s first female physician.

First female student in Tunisia to receive a university degree, in 1928.
Reportedly the first North African Muslim woman to earn a medical degree (in 1936, from the University of Paris).
Thought to be the first modern female doctor in Tunisia and in the Arab world.
Opened a private medical clinic that treated patients regardless of nationality or ability to pay.
Founded Tunisia’s first family planning clinic; led campaigns around access to contraception and abortion, which was first legalized to a limited degree in 1965.
First female doctor accepted in the National Council of the Order of Physicians of Tunisia.
Later served as vice president of the Tunisian Red Crescent.
Photographic note in source: Tawhida Ben Cheikh and other members of AEMNA (Association of North African Muslim Students) in Paris, 1930.

Designer: Ali Fakhet, a Tunisian artist.
Visual design elements:
- A portrait of Ben Cheikh on the front.
- Images of handmade, intricately designed Berber pottery and jewelry on the back.
Security details listed:
- three-dimensional threads
- iridescent coating
- micro-text printing
- circles with a spinning effect
- translucent features
- fluorescent fibers that glow when exposed to ultraviolet rays

Ben Cheikh is the second woman to have her likeness featured on Tunisian currency, following Elissa (Dido), who first appeared on the 10 dinar banknote in 2005.
The new banknote is reportedly the first in the world to honor a female physician.
Governor El Abassi: “I thought clearly that we need someone from the contemporary era,” and noted that they were not explicitly looking for a female honoree. He added that “after the revolution of a decade ago, we wanted the banknotes to be a mirror of the whole country.”
The banknote is intended to celebrate the contributions of all Tunisian women and to honor Tunisia’s doctors and mostly female health care workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
Context on women’s representation in education and recognition:
- According to El Abassi, female students are fully represented at Tunisian colleges and universities, with women comprising over half the student population.
- In 2018, Tunisia was designated the “Capital of Arab Women 2018–2019” by the Arab League in recognition of efforts in the country to promote the status of women.

Public reception of the new banknote has been positive, according to El Abassi.
To better reach younger Tunisians, the central bank worked with a local start-up to develop an augmented reality app, “Flouss,” to tell the stories behind their banknotes.

Making History: Tunisia’s New 10-Dinar Banknote – IMF F&D

Haciendo historia ● Finanzas y Desarrollo ● Septiembre de 2020
- Haciendo historia ● Finanzas y Desarrollo ● Septiembre de 2020 (Markdown version)
- Haciendo historia ● Finanzas y Desarrollo ● Septiembre de 2020 (PDF)
Histoires d’argent : Entrée dans l’histoire
- Histoires d’argent : Entrée dans l’histoire (Markdown version)
- Histoires d’argent : Entrée dans l’histoire (PDF)
Making History: Tunisia’s New 10-Dinar Banknote – IMF F&D
- Making History: Tunisia’s New 10-Dinar Banknote – IMF F&D (Markdown version)
- Making History: Tunisia’s New 10-Dinar Banknote – IMF F&D (PDF)