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Published: 2013

Total Pages: 48

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"This work takes a look at the effects of imposed State Feminism policies by the past two authoritative regimes on the Tunisian society, through an analysis of Tunisian women's associations, which existed during the repressive regimes, and those that emerged since democratization. It will take a retrospective look at the consequences of gender equality advancements made by the State, that monopolized the dialogue, marginalized the existing women's associations and excluded the population from inputting on the project to modernize women's status in society. This thesis will analyze how State Feminism has affected the way the society views gender issues. How have independent women's associations present during authoritative State Feminism policies adapted their advocacy to the new post-Revolution political context? And how new associations are changing the associative playing field. The methodology utilized for field research was face-to-face qualitative semi-directive expert interviews, to allow for a free flow of information. Both women closely and more distantly involved in the Tunisian feminism movement were interviewed in order to establish a wide spectrum of opinions and information on the subject of women's associations prior to and after the Revolution. The research and analysis proved that the monopolization of the feminist debate by the State through State Feminism led to the marginalization of independent women's associations and the exclusion of the population from the decision-making process on women's rights, which were imposed in a top down fashion. Presently this has had adverse effects on old and new women's associations and their relations with women and men in society".