ZOUHOUR MECHERGUI

Tunisia- Women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) believe that establishing networks is important for advocating for women’s issues and achieving real solidarity among women despite all the challenges and obstacles.

“Building a common space based on solidarity and networking among women in the Middle East and North Africa is very important,” Maysar Attian, a Palestinian activist based in Tunisia, told NuJINHA. “Solidarity and networks are the key for improving women’s conditions, sharing their experiences and addressing women's issues in different countries.”

Maysar Attian believes that the cause of the Palestinian women has been heard all around the world thanks to feminist solidarity and networking. “Feminist solidarity and networking allow Palestinian women to voice the rights violations committed against them such as violence, arrest, starvation and killing by the Israeli forces. Palestinian women are targeted everywhere, at their homes, universities and on the streets. Despite everything, they keep resisting and struggle to survive.”

Maysar Attian also commented how women can be in solidarity with Palestinian women. “Now, I am in Tunisia and I believe that Tunisian women are in solidarity with us. I call them to struggle with us by posting on social media platforms, writing articles or saying something to support Palestinian women. Women’s global solidarity has made our voices heard abroad. Marches and demonstrations have been held in several countries to denounce the crimes committed against the Palestinian people. These are very important steps for us.”

Speaking about the power of women’s solidarity, she said, “The power of women’s solidarity and networking can contribute to resolving conflict or at least eliminating violations against women in Gaza.”

Maysar Attian called on women to launch campaigns in solidarity with Palestinian women. “We face the same problems due to the patriarchal mindset and capitalist systems and we must unite against them.”

Hafia Zangana, co-founder of Tadhamun (Iraqi Women Solidarity), has lived in Tunisia for several years. She thinks that the struggle in Iraq aims to liberate the country from internal and external colonialism and break the obstacles faced by Iraqi women. “However, the situation of Iraqi women has become tragic since the occupation of Iraq (in 2003). Iraq is a country, where women are subjected to all forms of discrimination and violence.”

Hafia Zangana also commented on the recent amendment to Iraq’s Personal Status Law that entered into force on February 17, 2025. “This amendment is a real setback in the struggle of Iraqi women for their rights.”

She believes that the amendment not drafted by Iraqis aims to perpetuate the sectarian division that began in 2004.

“Iraq was known for its progress. In 1956, a woman was elected as a minister in the country for the first time. Women had equal rights with men. Recently, there are attempts to exclude women from all facets of life. Feminist and human rights movements have expressed their support for Iraqi women’s resistance against the violation of women's rights and they are in solidarity with Iraqi women against the recent attacks on them. Thanks to feminist solidarity, a strong solidarity movement has emerged in European and Arab countries.”