Kenza Fourati

Kenza Fourati

the future of tunisian women

interview and portrait by JOHAN LINDEBERG

 

JOHAN LINDEBERG — How was it to grow up as a woman in Tunisia, both politically and religiously?
KENZA FOURATI — Actually, before the revolution in January 2011, politics were taboo. If someone raised the subject, the atmosphere tensed with fear and voices were lowered. No one really talked about religion either. Growing up proud to be a woman in the “modern” Tunisia was actually part of the indoctrination directed by the former regime. Women were the happy face of a darker side that jailed and tortured political opponents and Islamists for decades. We are all guilty of silence and are paying the price for it.

JOHAN LINDEBERG — Do you see your career as a model as an inspirational expression of freedom?
KENZA FOURATI — To be very sincere, I don’t…