Laws against gender-based violence in the Maghreb: a comparison of the criminal content

Abstract

This article makes a comparison between laws about gender-based violence against women enacted in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia after the Arab Spring, specially focusing on the criminal content introduced by said laws. Among other subjects, the article compares physical, economic, and politic violence penalties, as well as other more specific aspects such as rape, harassment, and sexual abuse, pointing out the similarities and differences existing between the three countries. In general, these legal provisions have two objectives: increasing existing penalties and including other gender-based violence forms that are currently not considered to be crimes.