ZOUHOUR MECHERGUI

Tunis – Women’s political gains in Tunisia are under threat. The retreat from the principle of equal representation, which had opened the way for women in local governance, is seen not only as a blow to democracy but also to gender equality. Since 2022, civil society in Tunisia has voiced concern over the weakening of gender equality. It has been pointed out that the “recommendation/endorsement” requirement introduced for candidacy in elections has deprived women of political participation, as the prevailing patriarchal mindset reinforces the belief that women—perceived as “deficient in reason and religion”—cannot be leaders.

Civil society activists continue their struggle to ensure full and effective equality in Tunisia, to secure horizontal and vertical gender quotas, and to enable women to reengage in public and political life free from pressure and smear campaigns.

The horizontal and vertical gender quota system introduced in the 2018 municipal elections was the first step toward establishing local democracy. This system, with its representative and participatory dimensions, pointed to a new administrative structure based on local democracy and decentralization. However, changes made in the electoral law during the last parliamentary elections—such as the requirement for individual candidacy applications and endorsements—interrupted this vision. This situation has weakened the local council experience in Tunisia.

Civil society activist Hayat Halimi stated that the regression in women’s gains has now become concrete and visible, directly impacting women’s participation in public and political life as well as in local governance. Halimi recalled that the electoral law abandoned the horizontal and vertical gender quotas, which had ensured women’s representation at 47 percent in municipal councils prior to 2019. She also noted that many provisions of the Local Governance Law have been suspended, even though this law had provided women with numerous gains through mechanisms such as municipal commissions, equality and equal opportunity committees, participatory democracy, and open governance committees. Halimi emphasized that the era when women served as mayors or deputy mayors in 350 municipalities has come to an end.

Debate on Women’s Exclusion from Municipal Roles

Halimi stressed that instead of abolishing these gains, they should have been further developed, calling the step back a serious regression. She stated:

“Local democracy is only possible through the free administration of municipalities and the effective participation of women. Women should constitute at least 30 percent of development plans. The Personal Status Code, whose 69th anniversary we recently celebrated, has given us many gains. Our duty is to protect and develop these achievements; going backwards is not an option, nor is freezing decisions and laws.”

Halimi raised the following question: “How long will we continue to live without municipalities? Why are women, who previously played an active role in local governance thanks to gender quotas, being excluded now?”

Highlighting the importance of decentralization, Halimi explained that municipalities, with free administration and financial-administrative independence, could generate development and allow citizens to have a say in setting priorities and local investment plans. She said:

“When free administration is abandoned, decision-making returns to the center. Yet, it is the citizens who know their regions best, and they should make decisions through municipal councils.”

Implementing Participatory Democracy

Halimi emphasized that participatory democracy requires women to play an active role in decision-making processes, stating: “If citizens are making decisions, this means women are also significantly involved in decision-making. Women’s share should not fall below 30 percent. That is why we adhere firmly to decentralization and the Local Governance Law. Because this law incorporates a gender perspective, includes women in decision-making processes, and strengthens local democracy.”

Pointing out that women’s presence in decentralization is concretized through direct participation in decision-making processes, Halimi stressed that women must also have a say in planning services such as culture, transportation, health, and education. She noted that these aspects are clearly included in the Local Governance Law and warned against taking steps backward. Halimi underscored that protecting women’s right to participate in municipal councils as decision-makers, voters, and taxpayers is “the essence of local democracy.”

Finally, Halimi stated: “There is no going back from the Local Governance Law, which best implements decentralization.This law establishes local democracy.”