TUNIS — President Beji Caid Essebsi’s proposal to make inheritance rights equal for men and women has sparked heated debate over the role of religion in public policy as Tunisia begins gearing up for presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for November 2019.
On Aug. 13, National Women’s Day, Essebsi called on parliament to pass legislation amending the country’s inheritance law, which, as per Sharia, generally allots women half of what men receive. He added that exceptions could be made for those who opt for the application of Islamic law.