NEZIHA BOUSSAIDI

Tunisia- Tunisia has been experiencing an alarming surge in femicide. Every day, at least one woman or girl is killed by their intimate partner or family member. The silence of the authorities and society and the lack of law protecting women from gender-based violence increase the number of femicides, instead of stopping them. In the country, the current laws fail to protect women and the perpetrators are often rewarded with impunity. On Sunday, a 42-year-old woman was stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband at her home in the city of Manouba.

‘Women are not safe even in their own homes’

“I believe that one of the reasons for the increase in gender-based violence and femicide is impunity,” said Sana Fathallah Ghenima, president of the Association Tunisienne Femmes et Leadership (F&L). “Although Tunisia has legislation and laws to protect women, they are not effectively implemented. Six women were killed in Tunisia in the first three months of 2025. Women should be safe in their own homes; however, they are not safe even in their own homes.”

The killed women are not just numbers and statistics, stressed Sana Fathallah Ghenima. “They were daughters, sisters, mothers, aunties and grandmothers. Femicide has devastating psychological and cultural impacts on society as a whole. Tunisia has law No.58 on the elimination of violence against women. However, when women go to police stations to report violence, they are not taken seriously. They are asked to return home.”

‘We must not remain silent against violence’

The killed women are not just cases reported by press outlets, Sana Fathallah Ghenima said, calling on everyone not to remain silent against violence. “Femicide and gender-based violence are crimes against all humanity and we must not remain silent against these crimes. We must understand that gender-based violence can be eliminated by raising awareness in society. Therefore, a comprehensive system must be implemented to protect women and children as well, as they are the primary victims of the consequences of these crimes.”

‘Women are the most affected by economic problems

“Femicide is a widespread violent act that takes place in countries all over the world, including Tunisia,” said social expert Zahra Bouguerra. “Feminist organizations, such as the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women work on this issue. They have carried out a project to understand the reasons for femicide and its psychological, social, and economic consequences. In Tunisia, women are the most affected by economic problems. They are often the ones who remain silent, sacrifice, and endure everything without reacting.”

‘Impunity is one of the main reasons’

Zahra Bouguerra thinks that impunity is one of the main reasons for the increase in femicide and gender-based violence. “Impunity for femicide and gender-based violence in Tunisia encourages perpetrators.”