Advancing the rights of working mothers in Tunisia

Journalists for Human Rights blog post

For far too long, maternity leave in Tunisia remained an overlooked issue, leaving working mothers struggling to balance their professional and personal lives. With only two months of maternity leave and inadequate support for breastfeeding mothers, countless women faced difficult choices that impacted their health, well-being, and careers.

That changed thanks to the relentless efforts of Journalists for Human Rights (JHR). This past July, Tunisia’s parliament passed a groundbreaking law enhancing maternity leave provisions, a direct result of JHR’s sustained work in mobilizing civil society, engaging decision-makers, and amplifying the voices of working mothers.

Turning Maternity Leave into a Legislative Priority

JHR recognized that maternity rights were not receiving the attention they deserved in public and political discourse. To change this, JHR initiated a multi-pronged strategy, including legal drafting, media mobilization, and direct engagement with lawmakers.

One of the first major steps was commissioning Judge Omar Oueslati to draft a robust and well-structured law proposal. At the same time, JHR organized working sessions with legislators, ensuring they understood the benefits of stronger maternity leave protections and were prepared to champion the proposal.

JHR also worked closely with the Ministry of Women to refine the initial text, incorporating crucial feedback to strengthen its provisions. This collaborative approach ensured that the law would be both effective and politically viable.

Mobilizing Public and Political Support

JHR’s success in advancing maternity rights wasn’t limited to legal drafting. The organization launched a powerful advocacy campaign that included:

  • Roundtables & Public Forums: In June 2023, JHR hosted a high-profile roundtable with parliamentarians, journalists, and civil society leaders to discuss the urgent need for maternity leave reform. These discussions helped shape the public narrative and build political will.
  • Media Engagement: JHR leveraged its strong media connections to bring national attention to the issue. Over 95 published stories and 31 broadcast forums in 2023 alone ensured widespread public discourse on maternity rights.
  • Training Decision-Makers: In February 2024, JHR conducted specialized training for members of parliament on the draft law and effective media engagement strategies. The very next day, the law was officially submitted to parliament.
  • Showcasing Women’s Voices: Events like the “Voice for Women and Girls” exhibition in December 2023 further highlighted personal stories and the real-life impact of inadequate maternity leave policies.

Tunisia’s New Maternity Leave Law

After months of tireless advocacy, the Tunisian Parliament officially passed the maternity leave reform bill on July 31, 2024, with an overwhelming majority—111 votes in favor and only 1 against. This victory represents a significant step forward for gender equality in Tunisia.

Key provisions of the new law include:

  • Maternity leave extended to three months with full salary
  • Four months of leave for mothers of twins or children with disabilities
  • Option to extend leave up to four months at half salary
  • Prenatal leave increased to 15 days
  • Seven to ten days of paid paternity leave
  • Nine months of breastfeeding leave after maternity leave

JHR remains committed to ensuring that these new rights are fully implemented and that enforcement mechanisms hold employers accountable.