The legal rights and freedoms which Tunisian women enjoy are unparalleled in the Arab world. Yet just two generations ago they shared the disadvantaged status of women which often characterizes Arab society. The rapid and permanent change in the status of women owes much to the personal vision of former Habib Bourguiba and his ability to institute sustained, far-reaching reforms. Among the first measures he took after Independence in the introduction of the Personal Status Code to improve the social position and treatment of women. This code stated the following:
Polygamy was abolished.
Persons directly concerned by marriage must consent to it.
Marriage of a minor needs to be authorized by the mother as well as by the father.
Divorce is the prerogative of either the wife or the husband.
Women have legal access to family planning and hospital abortion.
Penalties are the same for male and female adulterers. Equal wages are required for equal work.
Everyone has the right to an education without discrimination.
School attendance has long been mandatory and gratis and Tunisian women have voted since 1957. Having enjoyed full access to public life since Independence, Tunisian women are today government ministers, doctors, lawyers, business owners and executives, and airline pilots
