ZOUHOUR MECHERGUI

Tunisia- In 2017, Tunisia passed Law 58 to tackle domestic violence against women. The adoption of Law-58 was a long-fought achievement to combat violence against women in Tunisia. Feminist activist Jenin Al-Talili believes that the adoption of Law-58 was a revolutionary achievement for Tunisia women; however, the authorities have failed to implement it.

“There are no necessary mechanisms for its implementation. The law is not implemented due to the lack of a special budget to ensure its effective implementation,” said Jenin Al-Talili, a feminist activist and member of the Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms.

‘Police ignore domestic violence survivors’

 Refka Cherni, a 26-year-old mother from the Kef region, was shot dead by her husband, a police officer, in 2021 although she had reported her abusive husband many times. “Although she reported violence against her many times, she was not protected by security forces. Police ignore domestic violence survivors. All authorities, including ministries, are responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the law,” said Jenin Al-Talili.

‘The law must be amended’

Speaking about the shortcomings in Law-58, she said, “Everyone knows that there are many shortcomings in the law. For instance, it does not mention cyber violence or digital violence against women and girls. Many women and girls are subjected to digital violence on social media platforms resulting in physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women. It does not address violence against women with special needs. The law must be amended. NGOs and feminists must put pressure on the authorities to amend the law.”

‘Survivors need shelters and financial assistance’

According to Law 58, survivors of gender-based violence have a right to emergency shelter and longer-term reintegration and housing services. However, Tunisia currently has 10 shelters for survivors, with a total capacity of 186 women and children. “The number of shelters is insufficient and many survivors of gender-based violence cannot find a place to stay. There is a lack of specialists in these shelters. Survivors need shelters and financial assistance.”

‘It is time to break the barrier of silence and fear’

In Tunisia, sexual violence is still considered as a taboo. The victims of sexual violence mostly do not report it. “It is time to break the barrier of silence and fear, to break the taboo of sexual violence. NGOs have an important role in breaking this taboo by carrying out awareness-raising activities and campaigns.”

 Jenin Al-Talili also talked about political violence faced by women activists and journalists in Tunisia. “Women activists and journalists are subjected to political violence. They face judicial harassment. For instance, Tunisian journalist Monia Arfaoui faced an investigation for defamation after she criticized the minister of religious affairs on her Facebook account. Abeer Moussa, the head of the Tunisian Free Constitutional Party, was arrested for criticizing the government on her social media account.”

‘We still have a long road with lots of ups and downs’

Speaking about the gains achieved by Tunisian women, she said, “Tunisian women have achieved many gains until now but we still have a long road with lots of ups and downs. We face many barriers. We should break these barriers to have a free, democratic and a pluralistic society based on equality.”