NECWA RAHIM

Algeria- In Algeria, women complain that their granted rights remain only on paper. Even if Algeria has signed many international conventions, women say the laws are only for show and unrealistic.

Lawyer Aisha Zammit spoke to NuJinha about current laws in Algeria. She emphasizes that laws should be implemented in order to ensure equality, justice and equal opportunity for both women and men, “Those who are responsible for the international conventions should follow up if the rules of conventions are practiced.” Aisha Zammit indicates that Algeria's constitution is similar to the constitutions of Arab countries that have put their signatures under conventions protecting equality and women’s participation in politics.

Legal reforms only for show

Aisha Zammit mentions that Algerian women have rights in laws but the laws are only for show, not implemented. “These laws are only for show. Women file a criminal complaint when they face violence but they withdraw the complaint due to lack of an effective mechanism. And women have to return to those who use violence against them. The lack of an effective mechanism causes women to not file a criminal complaint when they are subjected to violence.”

Women are more successful than men

Laws and the rules of international conventions should be implemented in order to protect women and their rights, Aisha Zammit says, “The granted laws are only for show and unrealistic. They remain only on paper. Women should be informed about their rights. The results of the June 12 elections reduced the presence of women in the People's National Assembly by 8 percent. Due to these results, we say the constitution prejudices against women's rights. If there was gender equality, women would be in the leading position because women are more successful than men at school.”