LocationsRights, Equality, Empowerment: Legal Aid at the Service of Women in Tunisia
8 mars 2025
Access to justice is a fundamental right, essential for achieving gender equality and women's empowerment. In this context, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank are working together to ensure that vulnerable women can assert their rights in Tunisia. The project, funded by the Netherlands, is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Administrative Tribunal, the National Bar Association of Tunisia, the Ministry of Women, the National Commission for Counterterrorism, the National Authority for Combating Human Trafficking, and the National Authority for the Prevention of Torture.
Legal Aid: A Pillar of Gender Equality
In Tunisia, women, particularly those in vulnerable situations, face numerous obstacles in accessing justice. The cost and complexity of legal procedures, the lack of information on available public legal services, and sociocultural barriers limit their ability to claim their rights. This is where legal aid comes in—a mechanism that allows eligible persons, particularly women who are victims of violence, discrimination, or marginalization, to receive legal support and judicial assistance funded by the State.
Since 2023, the joint initiative between UNDP and the World Bank has strengthened this mechanism through engaging with judicial actors and social service providers. One of the key findings from these discussions is that legal aid remains largely unknown to those who need it most.
In this context, efforts have been made to enhance coordination between social, judicial, and legal services to ensure effective access for women to social, legal, and judicial protection mechanisms. As highlighted in the blogs Our Journey to Improve Access to Legal Aid for Poor and Vulnerable Populations in Tunisia and Strengthening a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future: The Key Role of Legal Aid in Tunisia, legal aid is a crucial tool for building a more inclusive justice system adapted to the needs of vulnerable populations. The integration of a gender perspective into social protection and judicial policies is therefore essential.
The first mandatory and immediate legal aid assistance granted by the Legal Aid Office of the First Instance Court of Médenine was recorded following a legal aid discussion workshop held in Djerba with various actors from the justice and social sectors. Training sessions for prison staff have also improved access to justice for women in detention. The first legal aid request submitted through a penitentiary institution came from a detainee at Harboub prison, shortly after a training session held on February 18, 2025.
Key Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in spreading information about the existence and functioning of legal aid, especially for women victims of violence. Through their field actions, organizations raise awareness among women about their rights and support them in their legal proceedings.
A notable example is the application of Law No. 58/2017 on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which mandates and facilitates access to legal aid for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence. CSOs are actively involved in implementing this law by informing affected women about their rights and directing them to appropriate services.
Organizations such as ATPNE Korba, ADES, and AMAL Médenine have developed targeted initiatives, ranging from training rural and agricultural women to raising awareness about legal protection mechanisms. Other organizations, such as the Association for the Promotion of Employment and Housing in Jendouba, have enabled hundreds of rural women to access legal aid training, thereby strengthening their legal and financial autonomy.
These results highlight the tangible impact of awareness-raising and training initiatives in legal aid and social protection. However, additional efforts are needed to reach more women and ensure more accessible and equitable justice.
A stronger legal aid system is necessary to meet the specific needs of women. This requires:
• Better information and awareness about available services.
• Training for professionals to adopt a gender-sensitive approach.
• Improved coordination between social and judicial services.
• Increased funding and capacity for legal aid structures.
• Legislative reforms to ensure simplified and rapid access to legal aid for all women in vulnerable situations.
Access to legal aid is a fundamental condition for ensuring that all women can fully exercise their rights. By investing in inclusive and gender-sensitive legal systems, we can contribute to a more just society where gender equality and women's empowerment are not just principles but concrete realities.