Tunis feminist forum concludes with calls for coalition to fight for women’s rights

TUNIS — Arab women activists and feminists meeting in Tunis have agreed to form a coalition to support women activists and the group’s work in the region.

The group agreed that the coalition should focus on boosting the work and experience of women in the region “since there are women who need a lot of support especially in conflict areas”.

The coalition also recommended launching local and regional initiatives that would support women’s group’s efforts in their respective countries.

Turning to the Internet, the group agreed to work on structuring a safe digital space for women activists, including protecting their electronic work such as online campaigns, research and documentation of cases. 

Meanwhile, the gathering stressed the need to lobby governments in the region to amend their cybercrime laws to ensure greater freedom of expression and to safeguard women’s groups from cyber bullying and threats.

Over 25 feminists and activists from various parts of the Arab world concluded a three-day feminist forum in Tunis, which was organised by the Oxfam MENA Region Office to address women’s causes in an unconventional manner to ensure real change in their societies.

Among the aims of the forum, according to a statement by Oxfam, was to exchange ideas and experiences within the women’s movement in order to tackle social barriers that are contributing to gender-based violence.

Another goal is to revise and revisit previous and current campaigns to discuss necessary changes to ensure the success and continuation of such movements, according to the statement.

The meeting also sought to explore new and unconventional methods of collaboration within the women’s movement in the Arab world to support local activism, the statement said.

The ultimate aim was to empower the women’s movement in the Arab world and to focus on creating a clear and sustainable vision that has a positive impact on people’s lives, the organisers added.