NPR

As Tunisia Weighs Women's Rights Proposal, Some Of The Staunchest Opponents Are Women

Tunisia's president is pushing for his country to become the first in the Arab world to ensure equality between men and women in inheritance laws. Currently, a man's share equals that of two women.
Tunisian women gather to celebrate Women's Day on Aug. 13 in Tunis. On the same day, the country's president announced the review of a law requiring that a man receive twice the share of an inheritance as a woman. / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

On National Women's Day in Tunisia, celebrated last Sunday, President Beji Caid Essebsi announced the review of a law that demands that a man receive twice the share of an inheritance as a woman.

Changing this would put Tunisia at the forefront of a progressive revolution on an issue that affects many Muslim-majority countries. But Essebsi's announcement has been met with consternation — not least from many Tunisian women.

Mona Ibrahim, the deputy leader of the country's conservative Ennahdha political party, says she has been inundated with phone calls by female constituents

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