Women's associations in North Africa say violence against women similar in three countries

A network of women's associations in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, "Collectif 95," said a survey on violence against women in the three countries found that mentalities and institutions are contributing to maintaining the practice of physical and moral violence against women.

The report, compiled with an assistance from German foundation "Friedrich Ebert," examined a form of violence in each of three countries. In Morocco, the investigation probed the image of women in education and the media. In Algeria, it looked at rape as an arm in war. In Tunisia, the report focused on sexual discrimination in work.

In Morocco, the study found that the media and school textbooks are conveying the same traditional image of women whose role is restricted to motherhood and housework. Since the media and education are a result of the state policy, the study concludes that there is a need for a gender equality culture and a revision of laws.

For Algeria, the report notes the use of rape as a weapon by Islamic armed groups in the absence of laws to protect women. Figures showed that between 1994 and 1997, an estimated 1,013 women were the victims of systematic and collective rape.

For Tunisian women, the report focused on their work conditions and showed that sexual harassment is a silent plague in work sites as women are rarely willing to lodge a complaint against the harasser.

The association was set up in 1992 by women's associations from the three countries on the basis of democratic values of equality between citizens, regardless of gender and social level.