State, institutional and symbolic violence against women: the struggle since the «Arab spring» and the contribution of Arab women cartoonists

Abstract

This paper traces changes in Tunisian public discussion of violence against women, comparing the situation before and after the start of the «Arab spring» in December 2010. It highlights key events following December 2010 and explores how these influenced public discussion. The paper concludes by looking at several cartoons from four women cartoonists, one from Tunisia, three from other countries in the Arab world, that address issues of violence against women. It suggests that humor may help denounce violence against women, and argues that the women’s movements in the Arab world must do more to include marginalized women in their struggles.

Keywords

• mujer
• violencia
• árabe
• túnez