We are a hundred years behind
The Tunisian parliament is to consider a bill recently agreed by the cabinet that would grant equal inheritance rights to men and women – a proposal that has created a furore not only in Tunisia, but throughout the Middle East. Egyptian writer and activist Nawal El Saadawi describes the move as positive and believes that Egypt may finally be following in Tunisia s footsteps. Interview by Imane Mellouk
First of all, how do you see the new step towards equality in inheritance in Tunisia?
El Saadawi: It s a very positive development and defintely something that every Arab country should adopt. There must be full equality between women and men in this Arab and Islamic world of ours. These days such equality exists in many countries, while we in the Arab world still lag far behind.