Women’s Rights in Tunisia and the Democratic Renegotiation of an Authoritarian Legacy

Abstract

Since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia has been negotiating what it is to become, a process

of rebirth in which women’s rights is key. The ongoing debates reflect a confrontation between

the feminist policies of Habib Bourguiba (the first president of the Tunisian republic) and

alternative notions of women’s rights. In this article, I examine the debates that are currently

taking place in Tunisia. I argue that the topic of women’s rights is crucial in the power struggle

between the political elites within Tunisia. It is symbolic of the much wider battle over the future of the country. Moreover, the legislative outcomes of the debates are indicative for the postrevolutionary political dynamics, showing the strength of so-called secularists.