US library of Congress symposium celebrates Tunisia's Code of Personal Status

Tunis , December 8, 2006 (TunisiaOnline)--The UNited States Library of Congress, in Washington DC hosted last week a symposium entitled: “ Tunisia : Celebrating Fifty Years of Women's Emancipation”.

Three prominent Tunisian women were invited to take part in the event, as well as former US Supreme Court Justice and the first woman to sit at the Supreme Court, Ms Sandra Day O'Connor

Mrs Sandra Day O'Connor expressed her admiration for the achivements of Tunisia 's women. Stressing the long-lasting Tunisian American relations of friendship, Mrs O'Connor said she was “very pleased to attend this celebration at the Library of Congress.”

On her part, Mrs Mary Jane Deeb, in charge of the Middle East and North Africa division at the Library Congress, stressed the pioneering aspect of the achievements of Tunisian women in the region.

Mrs Alifa Chaabane Farouk, a member of the Political Bureau of the Constitutional Democratic Rally , Tunisia's majority party, and Ombudsman of Tunisia , reviewed the many achievements of Tunisian women since the promulgation of the Code of Personal Status while pointing out that these achievements had been reinforced after the November 7 Change.

Mrs Hayet Laouani, the head of a Tunisian shipping company and a member of Tunisia 's Chamber of Advisors, talked about the increasing role played by Tunisian women in business based on the equal opportunities they enjoy in society.

Mrs Mounira Charrad, a professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin , focused on the advances witnessed by Tunisian women, essentially due to the Code's pioneering legislation in areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and the custody of children.

Many of the questions and remarks, at the Q and A session, focused on the pioneering aspects of Tunisia 's legislation in sofar as women's rights are concerned.

The code of personal status, adopted by Tunisia a few weeks only after it gained its independence in 1956, has been hailed throughout the world as a unique, pioneering legislation which has not only placed Tunisian women on a par with men, but that has also made them equal partners in society. The code includes provisions banning polygamy, forced marriages and repudiation.

The code was amended in 1993 adding further measures enshrining women's rights and in a recent address on the occasion of the celebration of the 50 th anniversary of the promulgation of the Code, Tunisia's President announced other provisions relative to ensuring the right to housing for mothers and children, as well as submitting to the legislature a bill unifying the minimum marrying age for both sexes.

On August 13, 2006 Tunisia celebrated the 50 th anniversary of promulgation of the Code of the Personal Status.