Judging Women’s Rights, Gender & Citizenship in Ben Ali’s Tunisia

An intimate ethnography of marriage and divorce, Judging Women’s Rights explores gender and citizenship in Ben Ali’s Tunisia. Revealing how women and men experienced their rights under this repressive regime, it demystifies claims that the progressive laws supported gender equality.

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Tunisia has often been commended for its progressive stance on women’s rights and viewed as a role model for family law reform in the Muslim world. Judging Women’s Rights, Gender & Citizenship in Ben Ali's Tunisia weaves together intimate stories and theory to demystify claims that the progressive laws supported gender equality in practice. Through the eyes of citizens and legal professionals, it reveals how women and men experienced their rights under Ben Ali’s repressive regime, tracing connections between gender, ethics and the law. This accessibly written book provides a vital backdrop for understanding contemporary debates in Tunisia where women’s rights remain a hotly contested topic.