Tunisia: From the Arab spring to a new Constitution.

Equality is not a concept. It’s not something we should be striving for. It’s a necessity. Equality is like gravity. We need it to stand on this earth as men and women, and the misogyny that is in every culture is not a true part of the human condition. It is life out of balance, and that imbalance is sucking something out of the soul of every man and woman who’s confronted with it.  Joss Whedon

In 2000, all United Nations member states (189 at the time, 193 currently) and at least 23 international organizations committed to help achieve 8 Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Its third goal is the promotion of gender equality. 

Tunisia was the country that inspired the so called "arab spring" uprisings across the region after overthrowing the dictator Ben Ali in 2011. In January 2013 a new constitution was adopted after Islamic and secular forces gave in. Analysts consider it one of the most progressive in the region, guaranteeing equal rights for men and women, but there is still a lot to be done in the country.

Today I visited my friend Safa in her family house in Gabes, Southern Tunisia. The weather can be really warm here during summer time, but it is very enjoyable now in January. It is six o'clock and it took us some four hours to arrive here from Tunisia, the capital. Even though the bus which brought me here was old and noisy, the sunset from its window was astonishing, bathing a landscape full of dunes and palm trees... That's an image I never want to forget about.

Safa greets me at the bus station. We hugged and head to her house. The sea breeze refreshes the atmosphere, a black cat appears on our way and the spice seller, who is about to close his store, makes one last try on me, I'm a foreigner. Those vivid spice colours have always fascinated me. 

We finally get to her place, "Marhaban bikum al Tunis" her mother says: "Welcome to Tunisia". This place feels like home. The smiles, the warmth, and a big plate of Makrouth (fried cookies dipped in honey) waiting for me in a beautiful small wooden table. Even though I am not a great fan of sweets, that honey smell feels irresistible. The mint tea starts to be served by her father, he pours it from a point in the height to our little glasses. Different to the Moroccan tea, The Tunisian tea comes with pine nuts as garnish. Traditionally, you have to drink at least three glasses, otherwise it might be considered extremely impolite. When in Rome do as the Romans do. 

With the tea the conversations get lengthy and deeper. Safa's family is Muslim, as most of the inhabitants in Tunisia. Her mother and sister wear hijab. She has decided not to, although she follows strictly all others precepts of Quran and Islam. It doesn't really cause her any trouble. She is 24 and works as a physical education teacher in a gymnastic academy until being relocated in one of the capital's High School within a year or two. A reason to be proud, taking into account that her job is usually reserved for men. 

We decide to have the next cup of tea in the big terrace upstairs from where we can see the stars, the crescent moon and the sea. Safa and me always liked playing interviewer and interviewee, today I will become the France 24 reporter, she will be the voice of Tunisian women, the voice of Tunisian people.

1. The so called Arab spring was originated in your country in December 2010. 3 years after, Do you think that uprising was really worth? Has the situation changed for better or worse in your country?

That uprising was good in some aspects as it allowed us to have a popular voice, a popular voice that during the times of Ben Ali we didn't have, however the situation hasn't changed a lot, to tell the truth, in fact, it is worse in some other aspects. Almost none of the problems we fought for during the revolution has been tackled so far. The unemployment is one of the highest in the region averaging a 15 % and reaching an all time high of 18 % in December of 2011. The youth unemployment is still a big issue, similar to your country, Spain. Around 30 % of young people with a university degree are unemployed. In Tunisia and elsewhere in the region, governments are under a huge pressure to tackle the scourge of corruption, but the progress will be slow and painful as corruption is deep-rooted. 

2. A new constitution was approved by the Tunisian Parliament yesterday with the consensus of the main Islamic and secular political groups. But large parts of the Tunisian public remain unconvinced that this constitution will actually make a difference to their lives. What's your opinion about it? Did it actually take too long to arrive?

Yes, it took too long to arrive and as you say we remain unconvinced because it is difficult to represent all Tunisians in jut one text. But what worries me the most is that many people don't care about this new constitution, for them this this is just a paper with good intentions. They just care about their well-being, they just expect the government to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to survive. Life has become expensive and some families are suffering because they don't have enough money to support their children.

3.  It's known that Tunisia has one of the most progressive laws on women's right in Arab's world. The new constitution establishes that male and female citizens have the same rights. Is that equality really reflected in real life? Do women have more barriers than men?

Tunisia has always been a pioneer in the Arab world in guaranteeing women's right. According to Tunisian Law, women can do whatever they want, no difference with respect to men. The problem we, women, face is that we are still fighting against some reactionary and conservative mentalities. Inside most men's psyche, we still appear as an inferior gender. 

-Our interview is now interrupted by the voice of the muezzin calling to prayer. Safa abandons me for me for a few minutes to make the last prayer of the day.-

4. How do you see it at your workplace or with your family and friends? Is there already gender equality at your workplace? 

There are some differences, of course, between how men and women are treated. It's easier for men to access to certain jobs or positions in the public sphere. Men are still more respected in our culture. 

From my experience, my male friends or workmates never disrespected me because of my gender. I have always been helped by them, and I always helped them in return. With new generations is better, it seems they have put those differences aside. 

5. Even though Islam has been recognized as the country's religion. The new constitution enshrines the freedom of religion. In neighborhood countries the religion has become a source of conflict. Is it really an issue everyone respect there?

It's not an issue, in my opinion. I respect other religions inside of my country as long as they respect mine, but the problem in my country is that the conservative Islamic men think that this is an Islamic country. As a consequence, it will only become a real problem if another religion comes and starts somehow having influence as it happens in Egypt. The new constitution has gone a step further as it depicts the State as a guarantor of freedom of belief and practice of religious rites, the protector of religious sanctuaries and the assurer of the neutrality of  houses of worship.

... I lost count of the mint teas we drank and it starts getting a bit chilly outside. Time to dream of a better world, why not? Tunisia has proven to be the ideal place to start making big changes...