Gender dynamics as revealing the paradoxes of the post-2011 socio-political change in Tunisia

International audienceA large body of research highlights the role of women in the mobilizations that preceded and followed the 'Arab Spring' (Benzenine, 2016; Bonnet, 2013; Gillot and Martinez, 2016). Other works argue that post-2011 electoral processes, and in particular the coming to power of Islamist parties, have allowed for greater access of women to the political space in several countries (Latte Abdallah, 2013, Pepicelli, 2011; Munteanu, 2020). On the other hand, several studies point out that post-2011 political processes have tended to challenge women's rights (individual freedoms, right to abortion, right to work), coupled with increased control over their behaviour and bodies (Debuysere, 2016; Gana and Sigillo, 2019).In Tunisia, the pioneer country of the Arab Spring, the evolution of the status and situation of women, in the context of the societal, political and economic crises generated by the post-2011 upheavals, are marked by a paradox. This appears to be linked on the one hand to the reactivation of patriarchal and religious social norms (Chekir, 2016), and on the other hand to the resistance and mobilization of women to preserve their gains, advance their rights and conquer new positions in the public space. Based on field research, this paper proposes to highlight gender dynamics in Tunisia as a way of revealing the paradoxes of post-2011 socio-political change. We will critically address the changes in women's political participation, in their labour market integration, and in their access to reproductive health. We will also explore women's involvement in the social movement and their mobilizations for political and individual rights