August 28, 2018

Tunisia, a model of women empowerment and gender equality

located:	Tunisia
editor:	Bob Koigi

The recent announcement by Tunisian President, Beji Caid Essebsi, to introduce a new legislation that gives women and men equal inheritance rights while allowing women to pass their family name to their children is one of the greatest wins for human rights in the region and another milestone for the North African country.

The Islamic Sharia law bequeaths male heirs the privilege of inheriting their assets and those of their female siblings. With that, the latest move, championed by the President, has caused an uproar among conservatives who see it as a mockery to religion and the status quo. But despite criticism, the President is adamant, insisting that "male and female citizens are equal before the law without discrimination."

This landmark development is one of many the country has introduced in the recent past, all of which are geared towards promoting gender equality and protecting the rights of women. And in a predominantly traditional Arab and Muslim region, this is a bold and daring step that deserves international applause.

Last year the country lifted a ban allowing Muslim women to marry non-Muslim spouses, which was shortly followed by a monumental repeal of a law that granted rapists the right to marry their victims in order to avoid punishment. This move inspired Jordan and Lebanon, two countries that had similar laws, to follow in Tunisia's footsteps and scrap the laws as well.

Championing gender equality has always been a tall order, especially in Arab countries, and the fact that for the first time, Tunisian women are able to enjoy the rights that they truly deserve is a crucial first step in inspiring a similar wave across the Arab and Muslim world. It is at this moment – when the government is fighting off forces trying to reverse such important gains – that it deserves the support of the international community.

Image: REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi