Women's Political Participation in Tunisia
By: Fawzeya Ebeid Shaqroun
Mp. Tunisian Parliament
Over the ages, Tunisian women have always been active, working side by side with their men, to defend their motherland. Many a woman has been idolised by Tunisians, both males and females, for militancy against French colonialism; their active participation in the country's political life is rendered a fundamental part of the collective Tunisian memory.
There is also a number of Tunisian reformists and writers, who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries, and who saw there was no way to liberate the land other than by first emancipating women, the more active half of society. One such reformist was Sheikh Ahmad Bin Abu Al Dhayaf who set right several religious misconceptions about the topic. The first sign which women had ever given about being aware of the importance of becoming emancipated came in 1920 and was reinforced by their participation in the 1938 and 1952 demonstrations.
After the country had gained its independence in 1956, the National Women's Federation was born, as a pioneer body contributing to the country's socio-political and developmental efforts.
Tunisian women are viewed among the first across the Arab world who exercised their political rights, including being given the vote . A number of measures have also been adopted, under the current regime of President Zein Al Abedin Bin Ali, who underlines, in every one of his speeches, the need to maintain, if not add to, women's gains achieved since independence. Most prominent among these measures are the following:
Chapter Six of the Constitution provides that all Tunisians are entitled to the same rights, have the same obligations and are equal before the law.
The law on political parties underscores the need to respect women's rights in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and international agreements.
A number of laws have been amended, particularly the Personal Statute, to help women maintain their dignity and self respect as well insure their right to the ownership and discharge of property. Tunisian women also enjoy the right to employment, to promotion and to wages equal to those offered to their male equivalents, without fearing discrimination.
Chapter Eight of the Constitution provides that all political parties and organisations shall respect the principle of equality and shall reject all forms of discrimination, including gender discrimination. All such laws and provisions have contributed to firing women's sense of belonging and have further deepened their awareness of their rights, especially their political rights. Most obvious is this clear in the State plan based on the priorities set forth at the Beijing conference for women. The government, particularly the Ministry for Women's Affairs, has produced a number of projects all aiming at promoting the status of women in Tunisia.
Women in Tunisia have occupied several prominent posts, both inside the government and outside. Thus, two women were appointed cabinet ministers in 1999. Meanwhile, another two are members of the 15-strong Supreme Judicial Council. 6 Women are currently serving as ambassadors, one as first ambassador. Women members at the grassroots level of the Democratic Constitutional Gathering are estimated to number some 500 thousand. 50 women have been elected to join the party's central committee (1998).
The NGOs law, recently promulgated, has increased the hundreds of women-serving organisations by at least twenty working in the political, economic and social areas; Tunisia's overall number of NGOs is estimated to have reached some 7000.
