ZOUHOUR MECHERGUİ

Tunisia- The Tunisian Association of the Democratic Women (ATFD) is a Tunisian feminist association that was founded in 1989. Since its foundation, the association has defended women’s rights by supporting women victims of violence and discrimination and strengthening the capacities of women and youths. The association has formed many committees such as the Anti-Violence Committee, Legal and Communication Committee, and the Gender Rights Committee and as well as many other committees such as the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which conducts field research about women, who are the victims of economic violence.

What were your most important achievements in 2021 as an association?

2021 was a difficult year for Tunisia, like for the rest of the world. Our association has played an important role in women’s struggle since it was founded to support victims of violence. We conducted important research on the implementation of Law No. 58 on the elimination of violence against women. Our research reveals that women, who are victims of violence and rape, have difficulties in implementing this law. We held meetings with other associations and organizations to crystallize a feminist dynamic. The main aim of the meetings was to guarantee the rights of women and ensure their participation in all decision-making positions in the future. We also organized a march with the participation of many women’s organizations to condemn sexual abuse against women and femicides. In addition to our ongoing struggle to protect women's economic and social rights, we organized training courses and carried out research on the situation of domestic workers to raise awareness of the importance of various rights. We also had a meeting with President Kais Saied about women’s participation in politics. At the meeting, we publicly expressed our stance and stressed our adherence to freedom, democracy, respect for the constitution, guaranteeing individual and collective freedom, and economic and social rights for women.

Did you face any reaction for your campaigns launched against gender-based violence?

We can say that the association has had an important role in ensuring women’s rights since the 1990s. Several years ago, we opened a center to listen to victims of violence in order to determine and solve the problems faced by women.  We continued to work in 2021 by believing that women have the right to live independently. We carried out a comprehensive study on violence against women during the Covid-19 pandemic when the phenomenon of violence became widespread and doubled. We prepared and released reports. On December 10, Human Rights Day, we held a silent march to draw attention to gender-based violence and femicides. During the march, we condemned gender-based violence and femicides and demanded the implementation of laws on the elimination of violence against women. Many women participated in the march. We continue to struggle to build a better future for Tunisian women.

What kind of problems do you face? How do you solve these problems?

Violence against women has been increasing since the outbreak of the Covid-19. We, as the association, prepared a report on how violence against women increased compared to the previous year. Our country has suffered from a political crisis since July 25. As an important component of civil society, we faced difficulties in being involved in the decision-making process, consulting, and communication. Due to these difficulties, we created a feminist dynamic to deliver the demands of Tunisian women.

What are your plans for 2022?

In 2022, we will continue to struggle for women to eliminate gender-based violence. We also know that women will be affected the most by the ongoing economic crisis in Tunisia so we will carry out activities to make the voices of women heard.