With the "16 days of activism" campaign against violence to women continuing until 10 December, the EU took part in the launch of the PARFAIT project on Tuesday 23 November (on the participation of women in Tunisia's progress and innovation).
This two-year project, which is co-financed by the EU, is aimed at improving the participation of women in local governance in Tunisia by giving them the means to become fully involved in public life as informed citizens, who are engaged and involved -– be they voters or candidates. The project is expected to involve 180 women from six Tunisian governorates.
PARFAIT is just one example of the EU's aid to Tunisia for promoting gender equality. As a symbol, Tunisia celebrates Women's Day twice a year -– on 8 March (the international women's day) and on 13 August. Even before the revolution in 2011, the country had a civil code for women, and since 26 July it has been equipped with an organic law on the elimination of violence to women.
The law, which was approved by unanimity in the parliament, will enter into force in a few weeks' time. According to the minister for women, the family and childhood, Neziha Laadibi, Tunisia is the 19th country in the world to become equipped with this type of legislation. EU experts helped in drafting it.
With nearly one in two Tunisian women having suffered one or several forms of violence (physical, economic or moral), according to a 2010 study, the EU financially supports the creation of services to care for female victims of violence through centres providing shelter and a listening ear throughout the country.
But Tunisia does not intend to stop at violence to women. The country is currently carrying out an assessment of its legislation in order to detect legal articles that are discriminatory towards women, in order to reform them. An expert committee is due to publish its assessment in February on all discriminatory legislation, and to make proposals. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)