Women, the State and Political Liberalization: Middle Eastern and North African Experiences

History has shown that periods of political transition can be perilous, even when change is directed towards more open systems. While new or reformed regimes often promise greater respect for human and civil rights, an examination of women’s experiences in such contexts reveals a deterioration in political/civil status, reductions in the number of female legislators, increasing restrictions on reproductive rights and other legislative manifestations of an increasing emphasis on women’s role as wife and mother. Using the experiences of Eastern Europe and Latin America as a reference point, this book examines similar processes of change in the Middle East and North Africa. It examines the interaction of the state, political actors and women activists during periods of liberalization in Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco, with special attention to issues such as access to contraception and abortion, labour, pension, criminal legislation, protection against harassment and violence, and the degree of women’s participation in government.