The Role of Women in Tunisia in the Second Half of the 20th Century

1956: change in Tunisian Civil Law: the marriage was a contract, not signed by the girl but by a man of her family. With the new Civil Code:
- the girl can choose her husband and also to DIVORCE;
- she can ask a divorce if in the marriage contract there is a clause specifying the conditions for divorce;
- the women have the same salary of the men.

Women could go to school and take part to many activities (painting, sport, etc.).

1960s-1970s: the school provided young girls with more freedom, but it was never complete. In fact, since the end of 1970s they wanted to go away from the country. There were many struggles along the streets, many manifestations protesting because there was no idea of the future, there was no work, despite the presence of many richness. The country had a lot to offer to it young people, but it didn’t do it.
The context was that of a oil crisis in 1970s that was deeply perceived within the country, where it developed the “obsession” of an international (Western) conspiracy against Tunisia.
In addition, BOURGUIBA became the dictator of the country, after having been the leader of the independence process of Tunisia out of colonialism. The hope to free from men supremacy clashed against the establishment of Bourguiba (and then Ben Ali) rule.

Tunisia: PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY

The escape of Ben Ali (seen as the “father”, the “man”) meant an enormous change in Tunisia: it represented the humiliation of the man, the escape of the male ruler. Also other male rulers in the area were defeated (e.g. Mubarak, Gadafi).

Today the Arab woman finds herself in this dramatic context, in a very difficult period, but also an interesting and stimulating one. Hundreds of FEMINIST ASSOCIATIONS were born after 14/01, while before it was not possible to establish any kind of feminist association (neither a sportive association), but only “clubs”.