Status of Algerian women: between public policies and social practices

Abstract

For more than fifty years the place and role of women in Algeria have undergone profound changes. The political changes of the 1990s consolidated and strengthened the existing gains, in a new dynamic of women’s rights. All the institutional arrangements put in place and the action programs implemented since the beginning of the 2000s have resulted in significant changes in the situation of women, both in the field of education, health and living conditions and in participation in economic and public life. Aware that education favors the integration of women into active life, the enrolment of girls in school appears to be the main factor behind this progress and is the powerful means that has had a positive influence on the development of women’s advancement. It should also be noted that, since independence, women have gradually entered all fields of study, particularly scientific and technological ones. In higher education, the female student presence is globally dominant, with girls representing more than 60% of enrolments over several consecutive years. In addition, the labour code has enshrined non-discrimination and eliminated inequalities in all sectors since independence. The methodological tools of the research are the description by statistical tools, in order to describe and explain phenomena through historical data in the form of measurable variables. The results of the analysis show that this process of schooling and access to employment, for both boys and girls, is undoubtedly bringing about social change in Algerian society. The gap between male and female activity has been slowly narrowing in recent years. Moreover, these changes in female employment and in participation in economic activity have not kept pace with the rise in women’s level of education. Indeed, despite all these significant changes, the labour market still shows a strong gender division. Statistics on the gender and occupational distribution of the labour force show that women are concentrated in activities that are an extension of their status as mothers and wives, such as education, health, and services (administration). This article will highlight the main indicators of the evolution of Algerian women with regard to the public policies initiated by the state, which have allowed for a slow but present social change. This process of schooling and access to employment, for both boys and girls, is undoubtedly bringing about social change in Algerian society. The gap between male and female activity has been slowly narrowing in recent years. Moreover, these changes in female employment and in participation in economic activity have not kept pace with the rise in women’s level of education. Indeed, despite all these significant changes, the labour market still shows a strong gender division. Statistics on the gender and occupational distribution of the labour force show that women are concentrated in activities that are an extension of their status as mothers and wives, such as education, health, and services (administration). This article will highlight the main indicators of the evolution of Algerian women about the public policies initiated by the state, which have led to a social change that is certainly slow but very present.