Women fought alongside men in the 1954-1962 war of liberation against France. Algeria's 1984 Family Code is considered one of the most backward in the Arab world, for it makes women lifelong wards of their fathers, brothers and husbands. No society that entrusts its affairs to a woman will ever know prosperity,' is a common adage in Algeria. When Sheikh Ali Belhadj, an imprisoned Islamic leader, said he would abolish unemployment by forcing women to stay at home, he was applauded. Yet the Algerian government itself is accused of abusing women in this war.
Torture is routine in Algerian prisons.
Women have most to lose from the anti-education campaign. The militants insist that the sexes be separated, and that music and gym classes for girls be shut down. A young man, who gives his name only as Mohamed, was accused of making inflammatory sermons against the government. They tortured and raped her in front of her son,' says Mohamed. I saw her when she came out.