Historically speaking, the great reform movement that was going to transform the lives of Tunisian women date back to the beginning of the 20th century. It was then that Tahar Haddad, a modern Islamic reformer and a scholar of Tunisia's Great Mosque of the Zitouna, called for freeing women from all traditional bonds. In a book entitled “Our Women in Shari'a and Society”, published in 1930, he advocated formal education for women and gender equality. The idea of women's rights was strongly supported by the former Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba who banned polygamy, and facilitated divorce procedures for women. Today, thanks to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's pioneering policies , Tunisian women enjoy one of the most privileged positions in the Arab World. For instance, women can freely choose their husband, study at universities, and fully participate in political life. Since the Change of November 7, 1987, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been encouraging Tunisian women to join associations and organizations where they can express themselves and play an important role in civil society. In his address on November, 10, 2010, the President of the Republic stated “We encouraged Women associations and initially the National Union of Tunisian Women of which we are proud and appreciate the activity and the role...”. Since the Change, the number of women associations has been growing throughout the country. Among them one could mention: The National Union of Tunisian Women (UNFT). The Tunisian Mother's Association (TMA), The Association of Tunisian Women for Research and Development (AFTURD), The National Chamber of Women Heads of Businesses (CNFCE), The National Commission for Working Women, The National Federation of Women Farmers (FNA).
