Rural Tunisian Women as Barometers of Political Progress

 

Since 2011, Tunisia’s rural women have seen some gains in political and economic empowerment, but many challenges remain.

Ayet Bouhajeb

August 4, 2024

Pottery studio in Sejnen. Photo by Author

In Tunisia’s heartland, far from the bustling coastal cities, an often overlooked indicator of democratic health emerges: the rural woman. The economic and political empowerment of rural Tunisian women serves as both a catalyst for and a measure of the country’s democratic progress. This complex relationship has evolved significantly since the 2011 revolution, revealing both promising advancements and persistent challenges that mirror the broader struggles of Tunisia’s democratic transition. This blog explores the interlinked connection between economic and political empowerment of the rural Tunisian woman.

The insights presented here are largely drawn from in-depth interviews with two significant figures: Wafa Makhlouf, Executive Director of CEED Tunisia, who provides valuable perspective on economic empowerment initiatives, and Sabiha Ayari, a potter from Sejnen (in the northern governorate of Bizerte) who served on her local municipal council, offering firsthand experience of rural women’s political engagement. Their voices provide crucial ground-level insights into the challenges and opportunities facing rural women in Tunisia’s evolving democratic landscape.

Defining ‘Rural’ in the Tunisian Context

Before delving deeper, it’s important to understand what “rural” signifies in Tunisia. The term “المرأة الريفية” (rural woman) in Tunisian development and political discourse often refers to women living in areas away from major urban centers, but it’s crucial to note that this concept isn’t limited to traditionally rural governorates. Even regions that have historically been favored for economic development, including coastal cities, contain rural, underdeveloped areas. These rural zones encompass a diverse range of environments from water-rich agricultural regions to arid interior zones. They are typically characterized by lower population density, limited access to services, and economies centered on agriculture or traditional crafts. In the context of Tunisia’s development discourse, rural areas are often associated with higher poverty rates, lower education levels, and more traditional social norms, particularly affecting women’s roles and opportunities. This nuanced understanding of “rural” highlights the complexity of addressing rural women’s issues across Tunisia’s varied landscape.

From Exploitation to Empowerment: The Revolution’s Impact

The tale of Tunisia’s rural women is one of resilience in the face of exploitation. Before the 2011 revolution, these women often found themselves caught in a web of economic vulnerability and political marginalization. Often lacking economic independence and political awareness, they were vulnerable to vote-buying and other forms of political manipulation. Their votes could be easily swayed by short-term economic incentives, undermining the integrity of the democratic process. The notorious “شاحنات الموت” (vans of death) that transported them to farms under perilous conditions became a stark symbol of their exploitation. Wafa Makhlouf, Executive Director of CEED Tunisia, notes that this issue became a catalyst for attention to rural women’s rights after the revolution: “A movement emerged highlighting the precarious transportation of these women to farms where they faced unequal pay and poor working conditions, sparking widespread discussions about legislative and policy reforms to address these issues.”

The Jasmine Revolution marked a turning point for rural women’s empowerment in Tunisia. New policies and initiatives emerged, aimed at fostering economic independence and civic engagement among this historically marginalized group. A noteworthy initiative is the INSAF program, implemented by CEED Tunisia in partnership with Skills to Succeed. This program provides support for women entrepreneurs in underserved regions like Gabes, Tozeur, Tataouine, and Kebili. Makhlouf explains the program’s impact: “Our programs have yielded numerous success stories, with participants emerging as community pillars, role models, and trusted advisors for other women, creating a ripple effect of empowerment throughout their communities.”

The Symbiosis of Economic and Political Empowerment

The connection between economic independence and political voice echoes through the stories of these women. Makhlouf articulates this relationship with clarity: “An entrepreneur woman cannot succeed without being involved in her community in other ways, whether in municipality, elections, civic life, politics and vice versa.” As women gain financial independence, they often become more aware of their rights and more willing to advocate for themselves and their communities. “When a female entrepreneur thrives, she naturally becomes a beacon of hope for other women facing challenges, transforming into an advocate and inevitably drawing her into broader political and civic participation.”

This interplay between economic empowerment and civic engagement is not just theoretical; it manifests in the lived experiences of rural women across Tunisia. In fact, as many initiatives took root across Tunisia’s rural landscape, individual women began to carve out their own paths to empowerment, their stories serving as powerful testaments to the potential unleashed by economic independence. For instance, in the quiet town of Sejnen, the story of Sabiha Ayari, a potter from Sejnen, Tunisia, illustrates how economic independence can lead to increased political agency. Ayari played a crucial role in the recognition of Sejnen pottery as UNESCO heritage. Her journey reveals both the potential and the challenges of rural women’s civic engagement. Ayari’s involvement in local politics demonstrates the link between economic empowerment and political participation. In fact, shortly after the revolution, she was appointed to her local municipality council, where she served for three years.

The Fragility of Progress

Sabiha’s experience on the council was mixed, reflecting the broader challenges faced by women in local governance. She joined with high hopes, believing that the country’s situation would improve. Ayari’s presence on the council was significant. She was one of only two women, including the mayor, highlighting the ongoing gender disparity in local governance. However, she found the reality disappointing: “I had high hopes for the country’s progress, but instead, I encountered a system driven by vanity and self-interest. It was all about prestige and power plays, with no real change. The politicians were lining their pockets while ordinary citizens struggled to meet their basic needs.” Ayari’s experience thus reveals the limitations of representation without systemic change. She noted that even when she spoke to the female mayor about issues facing rural women, her concerns were often dismissed. This highlights the need for comprehensive approaches that not only increase women’s representation but also address the underlying power dynamics and institutional barriers that hinder their effective participation.

Therefore, while innovative solutions are being explored to address these complex challenges, the path forward is not without its obstacles, as recent developments have shown. In fact, despite the progress made since 2011, recent years have seen concerning trends that threaten the gains in rural women’s empowerment. The dissolution of municipal councils in 2023 and broader political shifts have negatively impacted women’s engagement in local governance. A study by the Arab Reform Initiative found that young female local councilors faced significant challenges, including gender discrimination, age-based discrimination, and power imbalances. One councilor reported being told to “get married” and that her “place was in her family home, not the municipality.” These obstacles highlight the ongoing need for cultural and institutional changes to support women’s political participation and underscore the fragility of progress. There is an immediate need for sustained effort to ensure that the gains made by rural women are not just preserved but built upon.

Looking Ahead

To address the multifaceted challenges facing rural Tunisian women and enhance their socio-economic and political empowerment, a comprehensive approach is needed. This approach should combine increased funding for tailored education and vocational training programs with more robust civic education initiatives that can effectively reach remote areas and overcome cultural barriers. Civil society organizations (CSOs) have a crucial role to play in this process, as they are often viewed more favorably by rural women than formal political structures. By increasing their outreach and visibility in rural areas, CSOs can serve as valuable bridges, offering leadership training, networking opportunities, and pathways to political engagement.

However, the implementation of these programs faces significant hurdles, including limited resources, geographic isolation, and entrenched cultural norms. To overcome these obstacles, innovative strategies such as mobile civic education units and the engagement of local community leaders as civic educators should be explored. Furthermore, fostering stronger connections between rural women’s economic initiatives and formal political structures is essential to translate economic gains into sustained political influence. By addressing these gaps and leveraging the trusted position of CSOs, Tunisia can create a more robust foundation for rural women’s empowerment, ultimately strengthening its democratic processes from the ground up.

Author Bio: Ayet Bouhajeb is an honors graduate from Georgetown University Qatar’s School of Foreign Service, where she majored in International Politics. Her studies specialized in democratization studies with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Ayet’s thesis, “Paving the Way for Authoritarianism: Rethinking Tunisia’s Democratic Transition Post the Arab Spring (2011-2019),” examined political transitions in the wake of the Arab Spring. Her academic background combines regional expertise with analytical skills in political science and international relations. Currently, Ayet serves as an Associate Consultant at PwC Middle East, where she applies her knowledge of regional dynamics to the firm’s consulting projects.

The views expressed or implied in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Demos Tunisia-Democratic Sustainability Forum.