Here is Tunisia
Here are the democratic women
On 24 October 2025, the Tunisian authorities suspended, for one month, the activities of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD), on the pretext of administrative breaches under Decree No. 88. Behind this decision, an attempt to silence a voice that for decades has embodied freedom, equality and justice — the voice of generations of women who have refused submission, silencing and marginalisation.
Since 1982, even before its official establishment, ATFD has filled the public space: its activists stood up against the Sabra and Shatila massacre; their voices rang out in court to oppose death sentences handed down to young people from working‑class neighbourhoods. Their struggles joined forces with labour movements: its pioneers founded the Working Women’s Committee within the Tunisian General Union of Labour (UGTT), then the Women’s Committee within the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH). Since then, the spread of feminist thought and the defence of women’s rights and freedoms have never ceased — in police stations, on hospital beds, in workshops of free thinking and frank debate, in schools and universities, in fields and farms, on the pages of newspapers, in books, studies and the media, in demonstrations and in the streets, at the heart of the Gafsa mining basin uprising and of a revolution that no injustice will erase.
ATFD has been — and remains — at the heart of all feminist and rights‑based struggles in Tunisia. It campaigned to advance the Personal Status Code; exposed the violence and discrimination inflicted on women agricultural workers; worked to lift Tunisia’s reservations to CEDAW; defended the principle of electoral parity; helped to draft Law No. 58 of 2017 on combating violence against women; bravely opened up the debate on equality in inheritance; helped free women’s speech against violence, harassment and discrimination; defended sexual and reproductive rights; fought for the adoption in 2021 of the law protecting domestic workers; and has consistently linked the feminist cause with social and democratic struggles — out of the conviction that there is no equality without freedom, and no freedom without democracy.
Yet President Kaïs Saïed’s power continues to target democratic women. It was not enough that its former president, Bochra Belhaj Hmida, was forced into exile and prosecuted on spurious charges with a sentence exceeding thirty years in prison; nor that activists were terrorised and many driven into exile; nor that rabid online pages demonise ATFD and level the worst accusations; nor that an administrative file remains open at the Prime Minister’s Office which — led by a woman — has made no effort to support women’s rights or protect them from killing, violence and impoverishment, instead devoting itself to restricting one of the few safe spaces where women take refuge. None of this is surprising from a power that has thrown women — politicians, journalists, trade unionists, municipal officials, anti‑racist activists and human rights defenders — behind bars.
But does this mean struggle should be suspended, or resilience frozen? Can the flame of freedom, equality and dignity be extinguished?
The Tunisian Association of Democratic Women is neither walls that can be shut nor a file that can be put on hold. It is the spirit of volunteerism and struggle against all forms of domination and injustice — patriarchal, capitalist, colonial or authoritarian. It is a school of feminist activism that has trained generations of militants; a bridge of Arab and global solidarity that has made Tunisia a beacon of the independent feminist movement. Closing its doors will not achieve the authorities’ aims nor silence its voice, for the association lives in every woman who said “no,” in every survivor who found safety and support within it, and in every young woman who continues along the path of freedom despite repression and fear.
Let us not miss the point: suspending ATFD is a thoroughly political decision that directly affects women’s lives and deprives hundreds of them of the legal, psychological and social support the association provided. It is an assault on all our rights to organise, to express ourselves and to human dignity. But ideas cannot be suspended; memory does not freeze; and the free voice will not be silenced. They may suspend activities, but they will not suspend our belonging to this edifice nor our belief in this dream that sustains us as much as we sustain it. We, democratic, united and steadfast feminists, will continue our struggle and will not suspend our hopes for a Tunisia of freedom, democracy, justice and equality.
Here is Tunisia, here is its beating pulse and its unflagging struggle: here are the democratic women.
SIGNATURES :
- Neila Zoghlami – Femmes démocrates
- Yosra Frawes – Femmes démocrates
- Monia Ben Jémia – Femmes démocrates
- Saida Aoun – Femmes démocrates
- Sana Ben Achour – Femmes démocrates
- Khadija Cherif – Femmes démocrates
- Héla Abdeljaoued – Femmes démocrates
- Bochra Belhaj Hmida – Femmes démocrates
- Hadia Jerad – Femmes démocrates
- Emna Remili – Femmes démocrates
- Emna Belhaj Yahia – Femmes démocrates
- Emna Ben Ghorbel – Femmes démocrates
- Emna Chihaoui – Femmes démocrates
- Emna Zahrouni – Femmes démocrates
- Emna Nafti – Femmes démocrates
- Emna Belhaj Yahia – Femmes démocrates
- Emna Ben Massoud – Femmes démocrates
- Emna Mahfoudh – Femmes démocrates
- Ahlam Rgoubi – Femmes démocrates
- Areej Rejiba – Femmes démocrates
- Amal Chahed – Femmes démocrates
- Amal Yaakoubi – Femmes démocrates
- Amal Hedhili – Femmes démocrates
- Aya Kssibi – Femmes démocrates
- Asia Bouzidi – Femmes démocrates
- Asrar Ben Jouira – Femmes démocrates
- Asma Belaid – Femmes démocrates
- Asma Zid – Femmes démocrates
- Asma Sabri – Femmes démocrates
- Areej Rguiba – Femmes démocrates
- Amal Hedhili – Femmes démocrates
- Amal Yaakoubi – Femmes démocrates
- Amira Saadi – Femmes démocrates
- Amira Yaakoubi – Femmes démocrates
- Amira Nefzaoui – Femmes démocrates
- Amira Mohamed – Femmes démocrates
- Amani Bouziani – Femmes démocrates
- Ibtissem Jouini – Femmes démocrates
- Ahlam Rouatbi – Femmes démocrates
- Ahlam Ben Massoud – Femmes démocrates
- Anas Benzerti – Femmes démocrates
- Anissa Daoud – Femmes démocrates
- Intissar Abidi – Femmes démocrates
- Ibaa Hamli – Femmes démocrates
- Ikhlas Latif – Femmes démocrates
- Ima Hssaïri – Femmes démocrates
- Ila Salami – Femmes démocrates
- Ithar Almi – Femmes démocrates
- Arwa Barakat – Femmes démocrates
- Amal Bejjawi Qadi – Femmes démocrates
- Ines Sbiha – Femmes démocrates
- Asala Mdoukhi – Femmes démocrates
- Bochra Triki – Femmes démocrates
- Bakhta Kadhi – Femmes démocrates
- Boutheina Rwisi Jomaa – Femmes démocrates
- Balkis Rkia – Femmes démocrates
- Basma Madouri – Femmes démocrates
- Themna Tabib – Femmes démocrates
- Habiba Bouhamad Chabouni – Femmes démocrates
- Habiba Trifi – Femmes démocrates
- Hanan Kbaïli – Femmes démocrates
- Hekma Msaddak – Femmes démocrates
- Hayet Jazar – Femmes démocrates
- Hayet Attar – Femmes démocrates
- Hayet Ouertani – Femmes démocrates
- Hanan Zbeis – Femmes démocrates
- Hanan Jendoubi – Femmes démocrates
- Hanin Omri – Femmes démocrates
- Hafsia Bourguiba – Femmes démocrates
- Hafidha Chekir – Femmes démocrates
- Halima Jouini – Femmes démocrates
- Hamida Chaïb – Femmes démocrates
- Jannat Ben Mohamed – Femmes démocrates
- Khadija Ben Hussein – Femmes démocrates
- Khloud Mathlouthi – Femmes démocrates
- Khouloud Makni – Femmes démocrates
- Dalal Abidi – Femmes démocrates
- Dorsaf Hamid – Femmes démocrates
- Dorra Mahfoudh Draoui – Femmes démocrates
- Dorra Bouchoucha – Femmes démocrate
- Dalila Ben Mbarek Msaddak – Femmes démocrates
- Rabaa Ben Achour – Femmes démocrates
- Rania Ben Jomaa – Femmes démocrates
- Rania Amdouni – Femmes démocrates
- Rania Majdoub – Femmes démocrates
- Radhia Ben Omor – Femmes démocrates
- Radhia Dridi Wezini – Femmes démocrates
- Rawdha Gharbi – Femmes démocrates
- Rim Ben Said – Femmes démocrates
- Rim Soudi – Femmes démocrates
- Ramla Dahmani – Femmes démocrates
- Rachida Gousto Hamza – Femmes démocrates
- Raja Jaaidi – Femmes démocrates
- Raja Ben Slama – Femmes démocrates
- Raja Chamekh – Femmes démocrates
- Raja Mourad – Femmes démocrates
- Raja Othman – Femmes démocrates
- Rihab El May – Femmes démocrates
- Rihab Boukhayatia – Femmes démocrates
- Rahma Ayed – Femmes démocrates
- Raghda Chaib – Femmes démocrates
- Raghda Fahoula – Femmes démocrates
- Rafika Al Bahouri – Femmes démocrates
- Rima Sghaier – Femmes démocrates
- Rim Abdelwahed – Femmes démocrates
- Raoudha Tahri – Femmes démocrates
- Raoudha Abidi – Femmes démocrates
- Zineb Ben Said Cherni – Femmes démocrates
- Zakia Hamda – Femmes démocrates
- Zeineb Ben Othman – Femmes démocrates
- Zeineb Kahis – Femmes démocrates
- Dhekra Souli – Femmes démocrates
- Samia Fraous – Femmes démocrates
- Sana Ghenima – Femmes démocrates
- Sarra Atouchi – Femmes démocrates
- Samiha Hamdi – Femmes démocrates
- Sarra Ali – Femmes démocrates
- Sarra Telich – Femmes démocrates
- Sarra Achach – Femmes démocrates
- Sihem Ben Sedrine – Femmes démocrates
- Sihem Mabrouk – Femmes démocrates
- Souhir Belhassen – Femmes démocrates
- Salwa Kolsi – Femmes démocrates
- Souad Lebez – Femmes démocrates
- Saida Garrach – Femmes démocrates
- Souad Triki – Femmes démocrates
- Souad Bouattour – Femmes démocrates
- Souad Marzouk – Femmes démocrates
- Saloua Charfi – Femmes démocrates
- Saloua Guiga – Femmes démocrates
- Salma Jelassi – Femmes démocrates
- Salma Hajri – Femmes démocrates
- Salma Hamza – Femmes démocrates
- Salima Zouari – Femmes démocrates
- Samar Sahik – Femmes démocrates
- Soussen Khardani – Femmes démocrates
- Sonia Hamza – Femmes démocrates
- Souha Amri – Femmes démocrates
- Sonia Hajri – Femmes démocrates
- Sondos Belhassen – Femmes démocrates
- Sondos Zarouki – Femmes démocrates
- Sondos Chamkhi – Femmes démocrates
- Soukeina Chamkhi – Femmes démocrates
- Siwar Abdelhedi – Femmes démocrates
- Sirine Bouajaja – Femmes démocrates
- Chafia Alibi – Femmes démocrates
- Sherifa Tlili – Femmes démocrates
- Chiraz Atiri – Femmes démocrates
- Chaima Ben Hmida – Femmes démocrates
- Chaima Trabelsi – Femmes démocrates
- Shams Radouani Abidi – Femmes démocrates
- Sabra Ben Dbabis – Femmes démocrates
- Safia Mestiri – Femmes démocrates
- Sabiha Ben Ali – Femmes démocrates
- Sophie Bssais – Femmes démocrates
- Aida Amroussia – Femmes démocrates
- Alia Chérif Chammari – Femmes démocrates
- Aida Mehrez – Femmes démocrates
- Azza Chaabouni – Femmes démocrates
- Azza Whibi – Femmes démocrates
- Abir Amich – Femmes démocrates
- Afef Gouia – Femmes démocrates
- Ghofran Binous – Femmes démocrates
- Feriel Charfeddine – Femmes démocrates
- Fayrouz Slama – Femmes démocrates
- Fatma Asma Moatamri – Femmes démocrates
- Fatma Ben Meftah – Femmes démocrates
- Fatma Zahra Ltifi – Femmes démocrates
- Fatma Cherif – Femmes démocrates
- Fatma Riahi – Femmes démocrates
- Fadhila Feki – Femmes démocrates
- Fatiha Bedoui – Femmes démocrates
- Fathia Hizem – Femmes démocrates
- Fathia Chaari – Femmes démocrates
- Fidaa Ben Othman – Femmes démocrates
- Kalthoum Kennou – Femmes démocrates
- Kaouther Abbas – Femmes démocrates
- Karima Souid – Femmes démocrates
- Lobna Mlika – Femmes démocrates
- Lobna Mejri – Femmes démocrates
- Lilia Belili – Femmes démocrates
- Latifa Lakhdher – Femmes démocrates
- Lamia Acheche – Femmes démocrates
- Lamia Naji – Femmes démocrates
- Lilia Rebai – Femmes démocrates
- Lilia Alouini – Femmes démocrates
- Lina Chaabane – Femmes démocrates
- Lina El Euch – Femmes démocrates
- Mejda Ben Noureddine – Femmes démocrates
- Marwa Hedhli – Femmes démocrates
- Moufida Belghith – Femmes démocrates
- Mouida Messaoui – Femmes démocrates
- Manal Othmani – Femmes démocrates
- Monia Qari – Femmes démocrates
- Mouna Kraiem Dridi – Femmes démocrates
- Monia Bousselmi – Femmes démocrates
- Manel Mabrouk – Femmes démocrates
- Mannena Zitouni – Femmes démocrates
- Malek Soussi – Femmes démocrates
- Mariem Bribri – Femmes démocrates
- Mariem Azouz – Femmes démocrates
- Mariem Agrebi – Femmes démocrates
- Mariem Zeghidi – Femmes démocrates
- Mariem Fraous – Femmes démocrates
- Mariem Guizani – Femmes démocrates
- Mariem Jaballah – Femmes démocrates
- Medrar Sallem Ati – Femmes démocrates
- Malika Horchani – Femmes démocrates
- Mouna Ben Hamed – Femmes démocrates
- Mounira Guermassi – Femmes démocrates
- Maha Amroussia – Femmes démocrates
- Mayssa Jaouadi – Femmes démocrates
- Miled Zayani – Femmes démocrates
- Mounira Barghouthi – Femmes démocrates
- Najoua Mahmoud – Femmes démocrates
- Nadia Bouallègue – Femmes démocrates
- Nadia Ben Salah – Femmes démocrates
- Nadia Hakimi – Femmes démocrates
- Nadia Fani – Femmes démocrates
- Nadia Chaabane – Femmes démocrates
- Nabila Hamza – Femmes démocrates
- Nesrine Ben Khadija – Femmes démocrates
- Nesrine Jlailia – Femmes démocrates
- Nesrine Abid – Femmes démocrates
- Nozha Skik – Femmes démocrates
- Naima Rekik – Femmes démocrates
- Najla Ben Saleh – Femmes démocrates
- Neila Jrad – Femmes démocrates
- Nourhan Hadaoui – Femmes démocrates
- Neziha Bou Dhib – Femmes démocrates
- Neziha Rejiba – Femmes démocrates
- Nahla Hamdani – Femmes démocrates
- Nawres Zoghbi Douzi – Femmes démocrates
- Hajer Boujemaâ – Femmes démocrates
- Hajer Trabelsi – Femmes démocrates
- Hela Ben Youssef – Femmes démocrates
- Hela Trifi – Femmes démocrates
- Hela Djobbi – Femmes démocrates
- Houda Jeri – Femmes démocrates
- Houyem Mechergui – Femmes démocrates
- Houda Blach – Femmes démocrates
- Houda Nasri – Femmes démocrates
- Haifa Ben Abdallah – Femmes démocrates
- Haifa Garrach – Femmes démocrates
- Haifa Chebbi – Femmes démocrates
- Henda Dali – Femmes démocrates
- Hob Mokdad – Femmes démocrates
- Wiem Bous – Femmes démocrates
- Wissam Ben Rejab – Femmes démocrates
- Warda Tahri – Femmes démocrates
- Warda Hamdani – Femmes démocrates
- Wafa Fraous – Femmes démocrates
- Yosra Belali – Femmes démocrates
- Yaad Ben Rejab – Femmes démocrates
- Yara Fraous – Femmes démocrates
- Najoua Baccar – Femmes démocrates
