Bchira Ben Mrad: New book honors Tunisian feminist pioneer

Alaeddine Editions in Sfax has published a collective work dedicated to the life and legacy of Bchira Ben Mrad, a pioneer of the Tunisian feminist movement. The book marks the 70th anniversary of the promulgation of the Code of Personal Status, which occurred on August 13, 1956.

In 1936, Ben Mrad founded the Union des Femmes Musulmanes de Tunisie, the country’s first women’s organization. The publication is the result of a symposium held at the Sfax Regional Library in March 2020, featuring ten researchers from various Tunisian universities. The work includes testimonies and documents highlighting her social and political activism dating back to the 1930s.

Historically, Ben Mrad was sidelined from public life under the Bourguiba regime, which did not recognize her contributions to improving women's conditions in Tunisia, though the Ben Ali regime later paid her tribute toward the end of her life. The book was coordinated by Dr. Sidk Sallami and features an introduction by Professor Adel Ben Youssef from the University of Sousse.