TUNIS — Under the advisement of President Beji Caid Essebsi, the Tunisian Cabinet on Nov. 23 approved an amendment of the Personal Status Code in a move geared toward furthering equality between men and women in several areas, including gender equality in inheritance. The amendment now requires approval by the parliament to become law.

In a statement following the Cabinet meeting to approve the measure, Essebsi emphasized Tunisia's secularity and the requirement of gender equality in rights and duties, as per Chapter 21 of the constitution. Progressive parties and rights organizations welcomed the amendment, while Islamic groups and other organizations with religious authorities rejected it.

The Quran mandates that men inherit two-thirds more than women, which is the basis for the law currently in place. For the moment, because the Quran directly addresses the issue of inheritance, it has received more attention than the other provisions in the proposed new law, such as those allowing Tunisian women to marry non-Muslims and permitting them status as head of household (or family).

At a Nov. 29 press conference, Nidaa Tunis, the leading party in the government, announced the formation of a national commission to support the equality measure by rallying progressive political powers for the eventual vote in parliament, which is not yet scheduled. The commission currently consists of 19 members from different political, artistic, cultural, media and civil society sectors. No date has been set for the commission to begin operating.