Amnesty report puts spotlight on sexual and gender-based violence in Tunisia

Amnesty International launch new report on sexual and gender-based violence in Tunisia, to coincide with International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women.

Nearly five years after the 2010-2011 Spring Uprising brought promises of equality, reform and greater freedom, the report, “Assaulted and accused: Sexual and gender-based violence in Tunisia”, examines the state of violence against women and looks at people who experience violence because of their gender identity or sexual orientation in Tunisia, often considered the Arab world’s most progressive state for women’s rights and gender equality.

The report features interviews with survivors of sexual assault, rape, domestic violence and sexual harassment providing a comprehensive picture of the ongoing violence that continues to pervade Tunisian society.

The report also assesses existing laws which are failing to protect survivors of such violence, despite some positive steps taken by the authorities to promote gender equality and combat sexual and gender-based violence.

The report is part of Amnesty International’s global My Body My Rights campaign, which aims to stop the control and criminalisation of sexuality and reproduction by governments, and has already seen reports issued on women’s rights in El Salvador, Ireland and Nepal.