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Algeria: Societal attitudes towards men physically abusing their unmarried adult daughters; state intervention in such cases; ability of adult women to live on their own

Since the adoption of the Family Code in 1984, Algerian law officially recognizes women of any age as minors, under the legal guardianship of either a husband or a male relative (Women Against Fundamentalism 1996, 38-39; Davis May 2001). Country Reports 2000 further states the following:

Battered women must obtain medical certification of the physical effects of an assault before they lodge a complaint with the police. However, because of societal pressures, women frequently are reluctant to endure this process. There are very few facilities offering safe haven for abused women, and many more are needed. [ ...]

Some aspects of the law and many traditional social practices discriminate against women. The 1984 Family Code, which is based in large part on Shari'a, treats women as minors under the legal guardianship of a husband or male relative. For example, a woman must obtain a father's approval to marry (23 Feb. 2001).

According to Virginie Kharouby of the World Algerian Action Coalition:

Violence is not only a conjugal plague: 31 percent of the interrogated women are single; 36.9 percent are divorced; and only 29.4 percent are married. Among single women, fathers and brothers are the main aggressors. It appears that the family continues to exercise its authority and abuse on its daughters (World Algerian Action Coalition 18 Oct. 2000).

Since the 1991 elections, where the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) won the ballot but was prevented from taking power by the ruling government, the FIS has pledged its intent to end women's employment and enforce Shari'a laws: "Since January 1992, several hundred women have been assassinated by the fundamentalists for not wearing a head scarf, for wearing Western clothing – such as jeans – for working alongside men, or for living without a male guardian in their own apartment" (Women Living Under Muslim Laws Sept. 1998).

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) reported on threats and attacks against women by fundamentalists in Algeria, including burning the homes of women who were not living with a male relative (20 Jan. 1999). CEDAW stated that the prevalence of the FIS in Algeria has had a profound impact on state policy, which has chosen to accommodate fundamentalist demands at the expense of women (ibid.).

Furthermore, a woman living on her own would face social pressures for either pursuing higher education or a career: women constitute only eight per cent of the work force (Africa Online n.d.).

According to the Counsellor (Immigration) of the Canadian Embassy in Algeria, social and economic conditions have had an impact on women in Algeria: unemployment and housing shortages have forced more young men unable to support a family to remain unmarried, which means "more young women are living at home longer, putting pressure on their families and exacerbating social tensions" (Davis May 2001). The Counsellor also stated that there is little governmental or social support for women, aside from a few organizations like SOS – Femmes en Détresse (ibid.). SOS – Femmes en Détresse did not respond to a request for information by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Africa Online. n.d. AFROL Gender Profiles: Algeria. <http://www.afrol.com/Categories/Women/profiles/algeria_women.htm> [Accessed 25 January 2002]

Davis, Brian J. [Paris]. May 2001. Report on Algeria.

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). 20 January 1999. Shadow Report on Algeria. <http://pourinfo.ouvaton.org/algerie/droitetcondifemme/moreaboutalgwom.htm> [Accessed 25 January 2002]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2000. 23 February 2001. Washington, DC: United States Department of State. <http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/nea/644.htm> [Accessed 29 January 2002]

Davis, Brian J. [Paris]. May 2001. Report on Algeria.

Women Against Fundamentalism. 1996. Report of Joint Meeting SWASWA and WAF. Journal no. 8, pp.38-39. <http://www.gn.apc.org/waf/journal8p38.htm> [Accessed 25 January 2002]

Women Living Under Muslim Laws. September 1998. "The War Against Feminism in the Name of the Almighty: Making Sense of Gender and Muslim Fundamentalism." <http://www.wluml.org/english/publications/engdossiers.htm> [Accessed 29 January 2002]

World Algerian Action Coalition [Washington]. 18 October 2000. 'Seminar on Violence Against Women." <http://allafrica.com/stories/200010180109.html> [Accessed 25 January 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases.

Monthly Review

Three unsuccessful attempts at contacting oral sources.

World News Connection (WNC)

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International

Association femmes en mouvement (AFM)

Cornell University

Human Rights Watch

International Women's Human Rights Law Clinic

Marche mondiale des femmes (MMF)