11 Tunisian women departed from Oum El Araies region of Tunisia’s Gafsa governorate to the capital of Tunisia on August 14 to draw attention to women’s rights in the country and make their voices heard.  After walking 400 km, the women arrived in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, today. They demanded a meeting with Tunisian President Kais Saied however their request was rejected by the president. The women are determined to not return to Gafsa until they meet the president.

ZİHÛR EL- MEŞRİQÎ

Tunisia-National Women's Day is celebrated in Tunisia every year on August 13 to commemorate the day of adoption of the Code of Personal Status in Tunisia, on August 13, 1956, the year of independence in Tunisia. 11 Tunisian women departed from Oum El Araies region of Tunisia’s Gafsa governorate on August 14 to the capital of Tunisia in order to draw attention to women’s rights in the country and make their voices heard. After walking 400 km, the women arrived in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, today. The women demanded a meeting with Tunisian President Kais Saied however their request was rejected by the president.

Hemdi Selim told our news agency that the president had appointed officials to meet with women and listen to their demands but the women didn’t accept that and they are determined to meet the president. “The women wanted to tell their demands to the president. They are here as the representatives of thousands of women in the same situation in Tunisia. That’s why they want to have a meeting with the president.”

Women are determined to not leave the capital

11 women indicated that they would not return to Gafsa without having a meeting with the president about the poverty and unemployment, they have suffered from.  

In Tunisia, most agricultural laborers are women and they play a significant and crucial role in agriculture but they have difficulties in meeting even their basic needs.