Tunisia has overturned a law that banned women from marrying non-Muslims.<\/p>\n
A spokeswoman for President Beji Caid Essebsi made the announcement and congratulated women on gaining “the freedom to choose one’s spouse”.<\/p>\n
Until now, a non-Muslim man who wished to marry a Tunisian Muslim woman had to convert to Islam and submit a certificate of his conversion as proof.
\nTunisia, which is 99% Muslim, is viewed as one of the most progressive Arab countries in terms of women’s rights.<\/p>\n
The new law comes after President Essebsi pushed for the lifting of the marriage restriction law that was put in place in 1973.<\/p>\n
He said in a speech last month, during celebrations of the National Women’s day, that the marriage law was “an obstacle to the freedom of choice of spouse”.<\/p>\n
The restriction was also seen as violating Tunisia’s constitution which was adopted in 2014 in the wake of the Arab Spring revolution.<\/p>\n
Human rights groups in Tunisia had also campaigned for the law’s abolition.<\/p>\n
The order comes into force immediately, and couples are free to register their marriages at government offices.<\/p>\n
The BBC’s Rana Jawad in Tunis says that many Tunisians see the removal of the marriage restriction as another landmark in guaranteeing women’s freedom in the country.<\/p>\n
In July, the Tunisian parliament also introduced a new law that abolished a clause that allowed rapists to escape any punishment if they married their victims.<\/p>\n
The country banned polygamy as far back as 1956, setting it part from other Muslim-majority nations.<\/p>\n
However, women in Tunisia still face discrimination, particularly in matters of inheritance which still prioritises sons over daughters.<\/p>\n
The Tunisian Association of Democratic Women estimates that nearly 70% of Tunisian women are victims of abuse.<\/p>\n
Amnesty International reported last year that there were few signs to show that things had improved for women since the Arab Spring revolution in 2010.
\n–
\nBy: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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