ZOUHOUR MECHERGU

Tunisia- The Association of Democratic Women (ATFD) was officially founded in Tunisia in 1989 to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the transformation of patriarchal attitudes, the defense of women's acquired rights, and the participation of women in all aspects of political and civil rights. On International Women's Day 1993, the ATFD opened the first domestic violence center in Tunisia to provide women a safe environment to discuss their situations.

They launched a campaign

Speaking to NuJINHA, Jalila Zinaidi, member of the managing board of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD) and coordinator of the association’s anti-violence committee, said, “The center was established after the death of an 11-year-old girl. She was raped and subjected to social violence after her parents kicked her out of the house. At that time, the association launched a campaign to support the girls and women victims of violence. In 1993, the association opened its first center in Tunisia to provide women a safe space.”

It provides psychological and legal support

Stating that when a woman victim of violence comes to the center, they first listen to her, Jalila Zinaidi said, “Then, we set a date to talk about the problems faced by her with an expert. We also provide psychological and legal support to her. Psychological support is important for women to overcome the trauma experienced by them and to find ways to resist it. The center has many experts in the field of social psychology and law to help, support and rehabilitate the victims of violence.”

It opens many centers

Underlining that the centers host girls under the age of 18 in the company of their parents, Jalila Zinaidi said, “They are mostly the victims of rape and violence. They apply to the centers when they report rape and violence to their mothers. We work coordinately with some organizations when underage girls apply to us.

New branches

After nearly three years of efforts and listening to women, the ATFD has opened the branches of the center in several cities such as Sfax, Sousse, and Kairouan. Thousands of women consider that the center is their safe haven, providing psychological and legal support and social guidance, awareness-raising training activities.