ZOUHOUR MECHERGUI

Tunisia- Since the beginning of 2023, 27 women have been killed in Tunisia, most of them were the victims of domestic violence, according to the official figures. In the country, women’s organizations and feminists carry out awareness-raising activities to end violence against women and femicide. Tunisian women activists believe that awareness-raising activities are insufficient to end violence against women and femicide and that a law protecting women and girls is a must.

 Jalila Al-Obaidi believes that online hate speech targeting women is not a new phenomenon but has existed for years. Tunisian human rights activist Yusra Gaaloul thinks that hate speech targeting women may result in femicide.

‘Television programs normalize violence’

Speaking about the television programs that spread hate speech targeting women, Jalila Al-Obaidi said, “Such programs normalize violence against women. Violence against women is normalized by the patriarchal society through the media. The official authorities monitoring, regulating, and sanctioning radio and television broadcasts remain silent against these programs. Hate speech spread by the media forces women to internalize and accept violence. One of the reasons for the increase in violence against women and femicide is these programs.”

Jalila Al-Obaidi emphasized that women are subjected to hate speech just because they are women. “Violence against women is remembered only on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and this is unacceptable. The pain, suffering and problems of women are emphasized during the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign.”

‘Women should break the barriers of silence and fear’

Jalila Al-Obaidi criticized the silence against sexual violence against women. “Many women still fear the stigma of reporting sexual abuse in Tunisia. Our society thinks that women are subjected to sexual violence and rape because of their appearance, their clothes and their words. If survivors of sexual violence decide to speak out against sexual violence, they face accusations. Women should break the barriers of silence and fear to eliminate all forms of violence against women. Law 58 was passed to protect women against violence; however, it has not been effectively implemented.”

‘Law 58 must be amended’

In 2017, the Tunisian Parliament adopted Law 58 Tunisia passed Law 58 in 2017 to tackle violence against women.  Speaking about Law 58, Tunisian human rights activist Yusra Gaaloul said, “Law 58 was passed by the Tunisian Parliament to protect women against violence; however, it has not been effectively implemented. For the effective implementation of law, appropriate and simplified mechanisms should be provided and the necessary budget should be allocated. Law 58 must be amended to end hate speech targeting women.”