EXPLORING FREEDOM AND EQUALITY FOR ARAB WOMEN
What would happen if there was freedom and equality for women across the Arab world? This is the question that SAT-7 ARABIC’s Today Not Tomorrow programme has been exploring through three special episodes from Tunisia.
Now in its third season, Today Not Tomorrow, which is mostly filmed in Egypt, is expanding its horizons. The production team travelled to Tunisia to interview women about topics that affect the everyday lives of women across the Middle East and North Africa. “Tunisia has laws that are well ahead of other Arab countries with regards to Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) and women’s rights,” said programme producer Maggie Morgan. “Our theme was: what would happen if there was freedom and equality for women across the region? We wanted to show what is possible by looking at life for women in Tunisia and thereby raise the hopes and aspirations of women in other countries.”
“WE RESPECT DIFFERENCES”
Among the topics explored in three episodes from Tunisia, broadcast in December, were head coverings, polygamy, domestic violence, suicide, harassment, and family law.
Somaya El Zayany, a visual artist, explained how women in Tunisia are free to dress how they choose. “We respect each other’s differences,” she said. “I am friends with women who wear a headdress and others who don’t. We don’t care if a woman decides to wear one or to take it off. It is personal freedom.”
This attitude of tolerance is reflected in wider issues relating to FoRB in Tunisia. Unlike in other Arab countries, ID cards do not include a person’s religion, making it easier for people to change their beliefs without facing discrimination.
“Any person is free to believe in what they want to believe,” said choreographer and artist Jamila. “People are born free and are free to choose their own religion. Some even change their religion. They have the freedom to change their religion according to what they want and what suits them.”
CALLS FOR IMPROVEMENTS
While the Today Not Tomorrow episodes highlighted a number of areas where Tunisian women enjoy greater rights and freedom, they also interviewed campaigners who are calling for further improvements and better implementation of existing laws, particularly in relation to family matters.
“It is true that we Tunisian women have more rights and freedom by law, such as the right to education, and I am proud of that,” said Doha El Twehry, a journalist. “But we also want to improve on that by seeking further rights and freedoms. It’s not a rosy situation because the law is not always applied, especially in rural areas.”
Another issue that negatively affects women in Tunisia is domestic violence. Rights activist Manal El Aswad said that while there are laws against this, it is still a very prevalent problem in the country.
“Tunisia is, on the whole, a very positive example of a country where women enjoy greater equality and freedom,” said Maggie Morgan. “But of course it is not perfect, and there are many women there who are campaigning for further progress.”
Today Not Tomorrow is part of SAT-7’s five-year Gender Equality and FoRB project that comprises television and social media programmes, online campaigns, and on-the-ground activities including support groups, workshops, and counselling referrals. It aims to help women and girls in the Arab world enjoy the freedom and dignity they deserve as people made equally with men by God. It is implemented by SAT-7 Egypt in partnership with the Norwegian Mission Society and supported by DIGNI.