The Tunisian Woman in the Era of Independence

The Tunisian Woman
in the Era of Independence

* The emancipation of woman in North Africa is a step toward a better civilization
* Habib Bourguiba is a social reformer of the modern type
* The Personal Status Code forbids polygamy

The independence of 1956: Until only yesterday we cheered for Tunisia, as we cheered for Morocco and Algeria, as sister Arab countries bound to us by the firmest ties of nationhood, language, and history, without knowing much about the pattern of life the Tunisians lived — only that they were under the French Mandate and deeply marked by French civilization and culture. Then came March 1956, and Tunisia won its independence under the leadership of Habib Bourguiba. The man destined to be President of its Republic marched forward with his people and achieved for his country, in a brief span, a renaissance of distinction, and Tunisia now keeps pace with the most advanced countries.

The Tunisian woman gains her political rights: Those who gained most from Tunisia's independence were its women. The government understood the rights of woman, who had proved, during the events that preceded independence, a political maturity for which she deserved to be granted her political rights; and today she is, moreover, a member of the Municipal Council.

The National Union of the Tunisian Woman:

Astonishing is the bold step the Tunisian woman took after independence, to carry out her mission toward her society and the daughters of her sex, wherein she had fallen short in the past. The first thing she thought of was to unite her efforts by founding "the National Union of the Tunisian Woman," and it was not long before the branches of this organization spread through all parts of Tunisia, working for the advancement of the Tunisian woman. Its efforts were directed toward destitute, deprived childhood, and ended in the founding of children's homes in all parts of the country, which sheltered every child and secured him learning, clothing, and food.

Delegates to the Asian-African Conference:

For the first time in the history of Tunisia, women began to be delegated to international conferences, and woman came to have an independent and respected standing. This creature proved, at the Asian-African Conference held in Colombo this past February, that she is equal to bearing the national burden and the social responsibility laid upon her shoulders.

The Tunisian delegation to this conference was made up of three ladies from among Tunisia's nationalist leaders. They were: Mrs. Saida Sassi, niece of the President of the Republic Habib Bourguiba, member of the Municipal Council, and the one charged with organizing social activity at the palace; and Mrs. Asma al-Rebai, one of the women strugglers for the homeland, whose husband, Mr. Azouz al-Rebai, was formerly Minister of Youth and Sport — it was he who sent the Tunisian delegation to the Arab athletic games held in Beirut last autumn, a delegation well remembered for its excellent showing in the various contests.

The third lady at the conference was Naila Ben Ammar, a woman of broad culture who directs the woman's corner on the Tunisian radio.

On the occasion of the Tunisian women's delegation's presence in Beirut, the director of the woman's corner on Radio Lebanon, Mrs. Edvick Shayboub, invited it to speak of the progress it had attained. Among what she said: the Personal Status Code has forbidden polygamy and sentenced violators of this law to prison; it has likewise set a minimum age for marriage, and placed divorce in the hands of the judge — in the hands neither of the woman nor of the man.

The Lifting of the Veil

And whereas the Tunisian woman once went veiled, the whole new generation is now unveiled, and not many years will pass before all the women of Tunisia go unveiled. The girls of today race toward a bright future, in which each will perform her share of the national responsibility toward her society...