IHLAS AL HAMRUNI

Tunisia- Salwa Latif, director of the National Union of Tunisian Women branch in Sousse, emphasizes that gender-based violence continues to spread in all facets of life in Tunisia despite Law 58 of 2017 protecting women from violence.

‘Women are forced to remain silent against violence’

The National Union of Tunisian Women provides legal support to women survivors of violence.

“Many women are subjected to domestic violence and often have to remain silent for fear of being ‘left on the street’. They are afraid of being homeless, without shelter. They remain silent to stay at home.” Salwa Latif told the story of a woman, who was subjected to domestic violence by her husband. “She did not file a criminal complaint against him because she could not afford to cover the expenses and had no place to stay.”

‘Women do not receive equal pay for equal work’

Women are also subjected to violence at work, Salwa Latif said. “Women do not receive equal pay for equal work. Due to the existence of a mentality that discriminates between men and women, we work in cooperation with the Labor Union and some officials to defend the rights of working women.”

The union also works in cooperation with other women’s organizations in Tunisia to defend women’s rights. “We have held training courses for women in rural areas because these women need more support.”

‘We must make more efforts for our rights’

Speaking about women’s political participation in Tunisia, she said, “I believe that women can contribute to political life more than men because they achieve academic success and they are intelligent.”

Salwa Latif called on women in Sousse and in other governorates of Tunisia to “rebuild our society together. As women, we must be stronger, make our voices heard and make efforts for our rights.”