Homosexuality references removed from Tunisian sex ed flyers at book fair

According to the director of the Tunis International Book Fair, booklets designed for Tunisian parents to address their children’s questions about sexuality, including discussions on same-sex relations, have been removed from the event.

According to Mohamed Salah Kadri, the fair’s director, the sex education pamphlets were removed from the event by representatives from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The material had been created in partnership with the Tunisian Reproductive Health Association.

Kadri shared that we were quite embarrassed by the content of those pamphlets, but the UNFPA representatives were understanding and promptly removed them from their stand.

The UNFPA as well as the Tunisian association did not respond to AFP’s requests for comment.

The pamphlets offer answers to questions frequently asked by teenagers and children around sexuality, according to media reports, including same-sex relations.

Article 230 of Tunisia’s penal code criminalises consensual same-sex sexual relations and sets a punishment of up to three years in prison.

It also allows the authorities to conduct anal tests on individuals, a practice harshly criticised by the United Nations’ Committee Against Torture.

The legislation, which dates back to the French colonial era, has remained in force since Tunisia gained independence in 1956 despite calls from civil society groups to revoke it.

Since Tunisia’s 2011 revolution, LGBTQ activists have been able to work more publicly, but their situation remains precarious due to both legal and social norms.