TUNISIA: Feminism Attack! The anarchist feminism in Tunisia -Interview

Tunisia, with a strong feminist movement for over a hundred years, is often considered the 
in the most advanced in terms of women?s rights among countries of the Muslim world. 
Since 1957, the Personal Status Code recognizes the rights of women, such as abortion, 
contraception and the right to education. Although the Tunisian feminist movements have 
allowed these advances, the status of women, as in many places on the globe, is still far 
from the idea of the anarchists. Nothing new under the sun of male domination: women are 
still seen as mothers and wives before citizens . After a few days in, it is easy to see 
how the judgment of others and fear of compromising a reputation may hinder engagement and 
activism of women. There are currently at least three feminist collective in Tunisia:

Democratic Women, group consisting of bourgeois who gather themselves without political 
purpose or claimant, Femens, recognized in Tunisia for their struggle (their actions, 
however, do not induce unanimous approval), and Feminism Attack, a self-managed and 
self-funded collective movement, whose members have an average age of about 20 years. It 
is inspired by anarchist ideas to search for radical solutions to social and political 
problems, and the dangers that threaten the position of women in society.

The movement aims to establish a self-management culture and believes in the obligation of 
the revolt of women against all kinds of exploitation.
It challenges all aspects of the status of women in patriarchal society: abolition of 
stereotypes based on sex, abolition of dehumanization and objectification of women, 
complete elimination of violence against women (rape, domestic violence, female genital 
mutilation, forced sterilization, indecent assault, sexual harassment ) .
We met Aika and members of Feminism Attack, with whom we made this interview.

Nath & Chris: Where does Feminism Attack situate and what are your political leanings?

Attack Feminism : We are currently situated in Tunis and our political coloration is quite 
mixed.

N. & C.: Can you tell us how, when and why did your create your group?

F. A.: We were a group of women who shared many ideas and we came to take the same 
actions, but as an individuals : hence the desire to build the movement in late 2011. This 
decision was taken due to our awareness of the status of women in Tunisia, which is, 
contrary to appearances, on the limit of acceptability. Especially since the so-called 
acquis have been threatened by the rise to power of the Islamist party. And the so-called 
feminist movement that already exist have not really served the cause we advocate, they do 
not represent the true Tunisian women, but rather a pseudo- bourgeois image serving the 
system.

N. & C.: Who are the activists of Feminism Attack?

F. A.: We are still a small group of pupils and students, we belong to the middle class. 
The age range is between 18 and 24 years. We have not yet recruited male activists, 
although we do not see any problem in it.

N. & C.: What is your activism and what are your preferred actions?

F. A.: At the moment, we do not really have any preferred actions, we do a bit of 
everything, although we mostly bulges, but it?s more a lack of resources and opportunities 
than anything else. We expect, of course, expand our field of activity and the way we do 
it in the near future.

N. & C.: How do you organize yourselves, how often do you meet each other, what equipment 
and means of communication do you have?

F. A.: It is organized around general meetings in which all group decisions are made. The 
frequency depends on the need of a moment. It has not fixed premises, we meet in cafes or 
public spaces ? which is not very convenient since we already had the police pressure, and 
we are even controlled by civilians. For the moment we don?t have any materials and that 
is is why our actions are limited to the extent that we can auto-finance and only by our 
own money. We communicate with all the means at our disposal (Facebook, phone).

N. & C.: What are the different feminist groups in Tunisia ? Your relationship with them? 
What do you think of FEMEN ?

F. A.: The best known is the Tunisian Association of Women Democrats, there are others , 
but that are not widely known or very active on the political scene. We really have no 
relationship with them, since we do not end up on the same principles, and our working 
methods are different. Otherwise, we have already expressed our position vis-? -vis FEMEN 
, we even published a detailed section on our Facebook page.

N. & C.: Can the political agenda of Feminism Attack in Tunisia combine with other 
movements? Whith which ones and in what form ?

F. A.: We are close enough to the movements: Blech 7es , Disobedience and Alerta (note: 
Vegan / Green Anarchism ) . We organize actions together: cultural events, film screenings 
, concerts, etc.

N. & C.: Regarding the latest popular uprisings in Tunisia, and even today, where in this 
dynamic could you inscribe yourself?

F. A.: We inscribe ourselves in any popular uprising which is the cause of the people, 
which is against the system, and most importantly, which is not organized by political 
parties, which do not serve their own causes and do not intend for getting the power.

N. & C.: How do Feminism Attack?s initiatives are perceived by Tunisians and other 
revolutionaries ?

F. A. : Our actions do not have a great popular echo in general, Tunisians are limited to 
information supplied ready by the media, and apart after one or two arrests followed by 
sloppy and disinformative articles, we do not received full media coverage. We do not 
complain really because our goal is not to make one or chasing after glory.

N. & C.: What are the most present constraints on activists of Attack Feminism ?

F. A. : The system and the police generally.

N. & C.: Are cities, in your opinion, more conducive to feminist actions?

F. A.: In the city, the work is easier, because there is some awareness of the people, the 
people are more open and women more emancipated, which is contrary to the countryside, 
where sometimes people are literally cut off from the world. By contrary, we plan to work 
in rural areas as soon as we have the opportunity, we also have several projects in this 
regard.

N. & C. : What are the repressive actions exerted on feminist anarchists? Are there any 
precautions to take?

F. A.: The dangers are almost the same for anyone who goes ?against the current ?: tear 
gas , batons, police violence, arrests , imprisonment, threats, etc. We have taken no 
real care because it would limit us tremendously in terms of actions.

N. & C.: In addition to traditional repressive forces, what are your most formidable 
opponents or political enemies?

F. A.: The extreme political parties, which are all in the service of the same system, 
either directly or indirectly.

N. & C. : Finally, what is your outlook?

F. A. : We expect to fight for our cause much longer and, more importantly, our actions 
are successful and they serve this struggle, we can achieve real change and participate in 
creating a certain awareness of the people.

French original: Le Monde Libertaire