Ikhlas Hamrouni

Tunis - In the interior regions of Tunisia, specifically in the city of Kasserine, Fawzia Al-Aloui has emerged as a distinctive voice in contemporary feminist literature. Through her creative work, she has built a unique path for women- one that moves away from traditional constraints that long sought to limit their social and cultural presence.

From an early age, Al-Aloui was influenced by the rich heritage and environment of Kasserine, as well as by her mother- a resilient rural woman- who inspired her to delve into writing and open new windows for women in Tunisian society. Al-Aloui has become a living example of perseverance and creativity, and of the power of words to dismantle social barriers and restore women’s dignity across all areas of life.

Speaking about her cultural journey, Fawzia Al-Aloui said: “I write poetry, fiction, and criticism. I have published more than eleven works, including four short story collections and one novel, in addition to dozens of essays and articles in both print and online Arab journals.”

She explained that her passion for reading and writing began in childhood. This early learning laid the foundation for her academic excellence—she was a top student throughout her primary and secondary education, excelling in Arabic language in particular. Her outstanding performance in the baccalaureate exam led her to the École Normale Supérieure, where she studied Arabic literature and graduated as a teacher.

“I began writing very early- around the age of twelve, I wrote my first poem about the flag of Palestine. I would gather rhyming words and line them up.”

Her love for writing continued through high school at Al-Shabi Institute, where the principal, Mohamed Al-Amri, founded a wall magazine that became a platform for young men and women to publish their writings in Arabic, French, and English. This initiative later evolved into an official magazine. Despite her humble beginnings, Al-Aloui never stopped striving to publish her work. In the 1990s, she felt a sense of injustice that fueled her determination to write and publish, taking advantage of opportunities in prominent Arab journals such as Al-Adab, Contemporary Writings, and Al-Naqid (Oman), as well as in several Tunisian magazines and newspapers.

 

Writing is not a luxury

Al-Aloui emphasized that she realized from a young age that “Writing is not a luxury or a hobby—it is a means to rearrange the world from a woman’s perspective and to break the chains imposed on her for centuries.”

In the early 1990s, her work gained considerable recognition. Within two years, she published her first book Ali and the Mare of the Wind (1995), after one of her stories won an Excellence Award in France in a Mediterranean competition in Marseille. Her later works- Barzakh, The Henna Bird, The Porcelain Bird, Offering of Absence, and Fire in the Ideal City, among others- explored women’s issues and cultural and social identity. She drew deeply from the unique heritage of Kasserine, a marginalized yet culturally rich region, incorporating its traditional dress, food, songs, and folk tales.

 

Al-Aloui did not limit herself to describing her surroundings- she worked to highlight women’s presence in every aspect of life. She explained: “Many women in Kasserine, even during my school years, had strong personalities and a powerful presence. People often ask why I stayed in Kasserine instead of moving to the capital or the coast. My heart is attached to this city- I write here, live here, and draw inspiration from it, despite its lack of infrastructure and the ongoing challenges women face.”

Her experiences with rural women added a profound human and spiritual dimension to her writing.

 “My mother was a true fighter. Despite coming from a middle-class background, she worked tirelessly to provide for us. That inspired me to write about hardworking and resilient women,”

she said, adding: “The woman who works in the field without much reward and never demands her rights taught me patience. She showed me that creativity is not always accessible- it must be seized through awareness and effort.”

These personal experiences made writing, for Al-Aloui, an act of courage: “A woman works outside the home like a man, yet she also works inside it. It’s as if she does two jobs but is only recognized for one. Women’s writing is not a luxury- it’s a struggle for time itself, to create space for a voice that can express women’s realities.”

 

Cultural and social liberation of women

Al-Aloui views writing as a weapon to transform societal perceptions of women and to challenge traditional restrictions:

 “Writing is a space where women can assert their voices and express their issues freely. This includes writing about politics, the body, and society. It is a form of breathing- a substitute for the lack of recognition of women’s history and contributions.”

Speaking on the influence of Tunisian women in contemporary literature, she said: “Today, we see Tunisian women excelling in poetry, fiction, and criticism, winning major Arab awards, and representing Tunisia with distinction. Women’s voices are changing things- perhaps slowly- but lasting change in literature takes time. Words grow gradually, yet they create awareness and dismantle social rigidity.”

For the new generation of aspiring women writers, Al-Aloui offered bold advice: “Dedicate time to writing- make it your obsession. A true writer draws inspiration from society, from ordinary people, from the poor, from conversations and unheard voices. Writing is the daughter of reality, but it also requires imagination, culture, and patience. Don’t wait for perfect conditions-create them. Use every moment for creativity.”

Through her personal journey, Fawzia Al-Aloui has demonstrated that women’s writing is not only a form of artistic expression but also a strategic means of cultural and social liberation. Writing provides a free space for women to express themselves beyond the constraints of tradition, to shed light on daily struggles, and to celebrate the unseen achievements of rural and working women.

“Bold writing gives women the power to redefine their presence in society and to present a model of creativity that resists oppression and marginalization.”

Fawzia Al-Aloui’s career stands as a continuous challenge to traditional and social barriers. Her work is living proof of Tunisian women’s resilience, innovation, and cultural strength. Through her writing, she has given women a fearless voice, opened the doors of culture to Tunisia’s interior regions, and turned feminist literature into an ongoing path of creative struggle and free expression- leaving behind a lasting legacy in modern Tunisian literature.