Tunisia-27th Session May 2017-Violence against women / gender-based violence

Para 50) Training modules are tailored to all participants including social workers and professionals who have daily dealings with many of the target groups. Special training programmes deal with specific subjects such as the Act to combat violence against women … Para 92) A review of Act No. 52 of 2002 on legal aid has begun with a view to upholding and facilitating the right of access to justice. The system of administrative justice has also been strengthened and a joint circular has been issued which addresses the length of the procedures involved in granting legal aid and emphasises the need for such aid to be made available to women and children who are victims of violence. Para 120) As regards access to justice, several courts have been specially equipped and action has been taken to improve access to justice for persons with visual impairments, including the availability of Braille versions of the Act to combat violence against women. Para 140) Article 51 of the new Constitution stipulates that the State is to take measures to eliminate violence against women. Para 141) Organic Act No. 58 of 2017 to combat violence against women contains chapters on prevention, protection, deterrence, services and institutions. Para 142) The Act abrogates article 227 and article 227 bis of the Criminal Code and rescinds all its procedural consequences such as dropping charges or causing an offender to marry his victim in cases involving consensual sexual intercourse with a minor. Para 143) Although the Act does not explicitly include the phrase “marital rape”, it does cover “all forms of discrimination and violence against women based on gender discrimination, irrespective of the perpetrator and in whatever field”. Para 144) In addition to this, the Act contemplates political violence as a form of violence, and gender-based violence has been included in the guide to rules and procedures for election campaigns. Para 145) The Act envisages the creation of a number of institutions for its implementation, including the National Observatory for Combating Violence against Women, which came into being pursuant to Government Order No. 126 of 2020. In addition, areas have been set aside in courts of first instance, presided over by judges from the Office of the Public Prosecution, investigating judges and family court judges specialized in cases of violence. Two central units for offences against women have been set up by the police and the National Guard, while 128 specialized teams have been created, 12.5 per cent of them headed by women. Para 146) In January 2018, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for Women, the Ministry Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs signed a joint agreement on a multisectoral pledge towards female victims of violence. Sectoral manuals were produced and 24 regional focal points were established. Para 147) Partnership with associations has been strengthened with a view to opening shelters and counselling centres for female victims of violence in different governorates. As of 2022, there were 7 shelters and 11 counselling centres as well as spaces set aside for women in regional commissions and in family counselling centres run by the Ministry for Women. Para 148) These advances have been accompanied at the technical level by training in specific areas. Between 2017 and June 2022, a total of 69,777 women and children victims of violence have benefited from the services these various institutions offer. Para 149) In the same context, the Minister of Health and the Minister for Women have issued a joint circular stating that initial medical certificates are to be provided free of charge and facilitating procedures for obtaining medical tests and for providing accommodation to female victims of violence. Para 150) As concerns protection and deterrence, a number of decrees have been issued and protection measures taken, although they decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of the lockdown. In addition to this, numerous decisions have been taken to grant legal aid and thus facilitate access to justice for female victims of violence. Para 151) Statistics for 2019 and 2020 on cases involving violence against women and on the number of cases in which rulings was handed down are to be found in annexes 4 and 5. Para 152) In spite of all the efforts that have been made, violence against women – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic – increase sevenfold with respect to the same period of the preceding year. In fact, 3,085 calls were received on the 1899 hotline between March and June 2020. Para 153) As a result of this, the operation of the hotline has been extended and it now runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Eighteen persons specialized in interaction with victims of violence have received training, and a system of services for women and girls, including refugees, has been set up with 24 psychiatric crisis units in 24 regions. Para 154) The 1899 hotline directs victims of violence to the competent institutions, according to the needs of each case. Seventy-four cases have been directed to security institutions, 53 cases to the courts, 46 to health-care institutions and 16 to child protection delegates. It should be noted that each instance of violence may include more than one request. Para 155) An online platform delivering psychological services for children and families was launched, while the 1809 free hotline was opened to provide psychological accompaniment and guidance for children and families. Moreover, a daily radio programme was broadcast with advice on how handle interactions in the family during lockdown. Para 156) According to statistics for June 2022, the 1809 hotline received 745 calls and 192 cases were taken in charge (26 per cent) and referred either to child protection delegates or psychologists. Para 157) Great emphasis has been given to training on Organic Act No. 58, which has been offered to all parties concerned including security personnel, judges, medical and paramedical staff, social workers and psychologists. The training has taken the form of courses as well as of training manuals prepared with the support of partners within the framework of international cooperation. Some of the most significant achievements in this regard are explained in paragraphs 148–156 of CEDAW/C/TUN/7. Para 158) Another important area of focus has been studies and indicators concerning violence against women. Thirty-eight indicators produced in the years 2019 and 2020 have been utilized by front-line ministries (see paras. 157–158 of CEDAW/C/TUN/7). Para 159) A four-year programme to support the social integration of female victims of violence is to be launched with €8 million funding from the European Union. Para 160) The national strategy to combat violence against women, which continues to be implemented, is being updated in a participatory manner.