A Special Advertising Section on Tunisia
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A Special Advertising Section on Tunisia
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No glass ceiling
for Tunisian women
Four women speak out about living and working in Tunisia
Tunisia has made considerable advances in the area of women's rights. Although polygamy
is sanctioned in the Koran, President Habib Bourguiba declared the practice illegal at the outset of the country's
independence. This landmark legislation ushered in an era of social change, placing the status of Tunisian women
amongst the highest in the world.
Today, women in Tunisia are present in almost every aspect of the public and private sectors. Among the positive benefits, women's high visibility and participation in public life has been considered a deterrent against religious fundamentalism.
Four highly accomplished Tunisian women agreed to discuss their experiences and provide insight into contemporary women's issues in a panel discussion. The participants were: Faiza Kefi, president of the National Union of Tunisian Women, a Member of Parliament and president of the Coordinating Committee of Parliamentary Women; Wided Bouchmaoui, CEO of Maille Fil, a major textile manufacturer; Oumaya Jemat, press attaché for the Ministry of Finance; and Hamza Ines, a pilot with Tunisair.
In addition, the latest studies have shown that Tunisian girls have been receiving higher scholastic scores than boys.
WT: Despite the advances women have made in their professional lives, most women in the world are still working in traditionally female professions such as nursing, clerical and the service industries. To what degree is this applicable to Tunisian women?
Bouchemaoui: It's true that generally, women choose to pursue careers in traditionally female professions. Maybe it's because they feel more comfortable in these roles. However, women have become more courageous, breaking into every sector. Their confidence and courage are a credit to the educational system that has benefited both boys and girls.
As
a woman and entrepreneur, I can say that I have received the same treatment as my male colleagues in dealings with
banks and other financial institutions. And yet, Tunisian women have still managed to juxtapose family and religious
values with the demands of modern life. In addition, the latest studies have shown that Tunisian girls have been
receiving higher scholastic scores than boys.
WT: In the West, there is a tendency to think that feminism is a western invention, or that the western model of feminism is the only model for women's emancipation. What does feminism mean to you, and do you feel it is an appropriate term in the Tunisian context?
Kefi: In Tunisia, we prefer to speak of a feminine movement because the word "feminism" has a connotation of aggressiveness and singularity of vision, which is disturbing to us.
We believe in a movement for rights that begins by evaluating the status quo, followed by proposing concrete solutions to address individual issues. Yes, it's true that as women, we have a special position in society, but we must also involve men in the process. This will yield the best results.
A few years ago, my male colleagues, who were once so hostile to the idea of a woman pilot, now see their own daughters entering the field of aviation in record numbers.
Of course Tunisian women, like women all over the world, must confront the old fashioned mentalities of machismo and paternalism. Just as my friend, Wided pointed out, what is fascinating in Tunisia today is the level of success that our girls are experiencing academically.
Bouchmaoui: I'd like to add that these days, gender preferences in the family are no longer an issue because parents realize that their daughters are just as capable of getting an education, working and helping their families as their sons.
WT: The transition to an egalitarian society could not have been made without challenges. Could you share some of your experiences? And also, how have Tunisian women changed the workplace?
Hamza: My father was an airline pilot. Ever since I was little, I wanted to fly. My father, however, wouldn't hear of me pursuing that kind of a career. But I stood my ground and I became an airline pilot just like him. A few years ago, my male colleagues, who were once so hostile to the idea of a woman pilot, now see their own daughters entering the field of aviation in record numbers.
It's also a mistake to think that my career in any way threatens my home life. I have no problem balancing my personal and professional life. A little organization goes a long way towards overcoming difficulties. When it comes to my children, what I need to do is explain to them what I do. Once they are convinced that what I do is important, they will understand.
WT: We have been speaking primarily about women in a relatively privileged section of society. What has been done to reach women in, say, rural areas that are usually outside of the political debate?
Kefi: We shouldn't harbor preconceived ideas about rural women because they have also grown and changed. They are neither desperate nor are they victims. Quite the contrary, I've witnessed during my travels around the countryside that they are completely conscious of their circumstances and have developed methods and mechanisms of empowerment.
I am humbled in their presence because their experience is so much richer than mine.
Their problems have less to do with rights than with access to such things as potable water, firewood, adequate housing, and modern farming methods. Their contributions to society are not to be overlooked, and they have also been vocal about asserting their rights.
Rural women know the terrain and know how to formulate their demands in an effective manner. This is why it is worth investing in them. Its is up to us now to implement strategies that take into consideration their needs and their contributions. Otherwise, we risk neglecting up to a third of the female work force in Tunisia.
