NAZIHA BOUSSIDI

Tunisia- Since the Code of Personal Status aiming at the institution of equality between women and men was promulgated on August 13, 1956, Tunisia women have experienced a decline of women’s rights for the first time. Although Tunisia is viewed as a relatively advanced country in terms of women's rights, Tunisian women still struggle for their rights.

Fatima Bishaw Abd al-Nabi, an activist of the National Union of Tunisian Women, thinks that Tunisian women have recently suffered from a decline of women’s rights in political, social and economic fields. “The low percent of women in the previous parliamentary elections and the decline in their role in decision-making positions show how women’s rights have declined.”

She also noted that many women are not aware of their rights in the country. “The National Union of Tunisian Women aims to improve the conditions of women by providing psychological and financial support in cooperation with the relevant institutions and organizations. The union holds training courses such as sewing and embroidery courses for women’s economic empowerment. We support women to start their own business after they complete the courses. Women, who graduated from university, also attend our courses because they cannot find a job after graduating from the university.”

 

Increase in all forms of gender-based violence

 Fatima Bishaw Abd al-Nabi emphasized that there has been an alarming increase in all forms of gender-based violence in the country in recent years. “Tunisian women suffer from poverty, gender-based violence. Some women are reluctant to participate in politics and decision-making positions because they do not have self-confidence. They should remember women fighting for their rights. Women need permanent solutions, not temporary solutions, so more women should participate in politics and decision-making positions.”