„More than half as important”

Equal rights for men and women are far from being realised. On the contrary, there is a worldwide backlash against feminism that impedes further achievements and denies the need for advancing equality for all genders. Domestic, institutional and structural violence affects women while their underrepresentation in decision-making bodies hampers their opportunities to shape and implement legislation that would be more gender sensitive. This trend has not stopped short of the MENA region. European states have largely been sitting on the fence witnessing developments in the region without being willing or able to support democratic human rights activists in their struggles – a failure that is worth examining particularly in the context of women’s and LGBTIQ* rights.

In this event, activists from Syria, Egypt and Tunisia discuss the situation in their respective countries, the backlashes they face and give examples of feminist strategies pushing for an inclusive understanding of societies’ needs and aspirations.

While the Tunisian government has passed noteworthy examples of progressive legislation in regards to women’s rights, other issues remain problematic, for instance, LGBTIQ* Tunisians face both legal and social discrimination and the much-debated equal inheritance law did not yet pass parliament. None of the most relevant candidates of the presidential elections could pride him or herself of a feminist agenda. Who are the drivers of expanding women’s rights – and what kind of support and alliances do they feel they need?

In Egypt, recent waves of arrests highlight the dire situation of human rights. Women and feminist organisations suffer directly from the unprecedented crack down on civil society, which leave no room for independent civil society activism or political opposition. Already prior to the demonstrations in September 2019, arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances deeply unsettled the Egyptian society. In many cases, female spouses of activists are punished by the state to pressure their husbands into obedience and curb their civil society activism. While human rights abuses could not be more obvious, Europe has shown little willingness to confront the Sisi regime. How do feminists continue their struggle in a context where both political and societal actors feel empowered to limit their space and contest their rights?

The Syrian example shows that women and men are affected differently by the war. Often, the needs and demands of Syrian women are dropped off the agenda in light of military and security questions taking the forefront.  While the focus might be on the overwhelming number of male victims, what about the female survivors and their needs? What does the widespread use of sexualized and gender based violence mean for families? And why is a gendered understanding of the situation relevant when countering pressure on refuges to return?

Introduction: Barbara Unmüßig, Board of Heinrich Boell Foundation

Speakers:

• Samar Elhusseiny, Andalus Institute for tolerance and anti-violence studies, Egypt.
• Fathia Hizem, Association Tunisienne des Femmes Démocrates, Tunisia.
• Mariana Karkoutly (to be confirmed), Adopt a Revolution, Syria.

Moderator: Lucille Griffon, Programme Officer – Women’s Rights and Gender Justice, EuroMed Rights

Languages: The event is held in English with simultaneous translation into and from German and Arabic

Taking of photographs and films are not allowed

Information:    
Dr. Bente Scheller, Referatsleiterin Nordafrika und Iran, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
E-Mail: scheller@boell.de