Tunisian women rally for equality

TUNIS - Agence France-Presse

Tunisian women hold posters reading, ‘don’t touch my rights’ and ‘woman is the future of man’ during a rally in Tunis. Women are rising up against a proposed article in the new constitution thah is seen as an Islamist ploy to reverse the principle of gender equality. AFP photo

Thousands of Tunisians demonstrated in the capital late on Aug. 13 for women’s rights in the biggest show of force by the opposition since April as the Islamist-led government faces growing dissent.

Two demonstrations mobilized by feminist groups and human rights organizations were held to support the withdrawal of a planned article in the constitution backed by the Islamists that refers to “complementarity” and not equality of the sexes.

Thousands of people assembled opposite the Parliament building in Tunis after the breaking of the Ramadan fast, while several hundred defied a ban to gather on the main city centre Habib Bourguiba Avenue. Another demonstration was attended by about 1,000 people in Sfax, 260 kilometers south of the capital.

While none of these principles would be lost under the proposed article, activists fear that its language represents a step toward rolling back their rights.