ZIHÛR EL-MEŞRIQΠ

Tunisia- Women make up 70% of the Tunisian agricultural workforce without social security, according to the report of the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture. Only 33% of women working in agriculture are protected by social security. Although Tunisian women in rural areas have played a vital role in maintaining food security during the coronavirus pandemic, they continue to suffer exploitation and exclusion. Chicken farming has become a popular agricultural activity in Tunisia. The Chicken farms in the country are mostly run by women, who have no profession but have to earn money for their families. Zikra Al-Saedani is one of the Tunisian women, who have realized their projects in order to have their economic freedom and to resist poverty. She continued her education until the third grade of secondary school, but she had to drop out of school when she was forced into early marriage.

She took courses on how to start a chicken farm

36-year-old Zikra Al-Saedani is the mother of two now. “I wanted to go to school and work in the capital after graduating from the school; however I got married. My husband is a farmer and I made a deal with my husband to develop a project in order to overcome financial difficulties. He supported me to meet our children’s needs. In 2016, I attended a course in Bizerte city and learned how I can start a chicken farm. After receiving my certificate, I started my small chicken farm.”

The pandemic affected her project

Zikra Al-Saedani also talked about how she funded her project, “At first I was afraid to start the farm. We had saved money for the chicken farm and we used our saved money to start the farm in 2019. I first bought 500 chickens and the number of chickens increased to 3.000 in several months.” Zikra Al-Saedani began to think of how she could expand her business but the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak also affected her project.  “The economic consequences of the coronavirus have affected the lives of Tunisian families; particularly the families who live in the villages, and led to a decline in chicken demand. This also affects my project. But I believe that everything will be as before when the pandemic ends.”

She also works at home

Zikra Al-Saedani told us what difficulties she has faced as a working woman. “I have to be in touch with neighboring areas of my city to understand the changes in the market. I wake up early and go to the bazaar in the city center to show and sell the chickens. After showing and selling the chickens, I have to return home to look after my children. I have to also do all housework; I have to clean the house, cook, look after my children and feed chickens.” The house of Zikra Al-Saedani is located far away from the city center so she spends hours going to the city center. She complains about the high prices of chicken feed.

She resisted even if male members of her family objected to her project

Zikra Al-Saedani talked about how male members of her family objected to her project. “I am very happy to support my family. Despite the pandemic, I think that I can compete in the market and participate in the country's economy. My father-in-law is 70 years old and he didn’t want me to work. He wasn’t the only person in my family, who objected to me. But I resisted the patriarchal mentality. I am trying to achieve success soon.”

“Women are not supported”

Zikra Al-Saedani also talked about the challenges faced by women living in rural areas, “Local authorities and the state don’t support women living in rural areas. Some women want to be successful but politics block their way. Tunisian women are not supported by their fathers, brothers, and husbands. For this reason, they cannot take courageous steps to realize their dreams.” Zikra Al-Saedani calls on women living in rural areas to put their projects into practice without any support from the state.