On September 22, 2018, the International Center for Transitional Justice and the University of Birmingham launched Voices of Memory, an interactive exhibition inspired by a group of nine Tunisian women from across the country and from different generations. It is the first collective testimonial of Tunisian women who experienced the effects of repression under the Ben Ali regime. 

In an effort to inspire visitors to envision a more just future for Tunisia, the women chose as the central motif for the exhibition the “Koffa,” the traditional Tunisian basket used to bring food to political prisoners. The Koffa, generally prepared with love and loaded with unwritten messages, was often arbitrarily denied to prisoners. It thus represents a loved one’s offering and a protest against forced separation.

“The power of this collective work of art lies in its ability to document and unveil hidden human rights violations endured by women in Tunisia under the dictatorship, including wrongful imprisonment, constant surveillance, physical and sexual abuse, and other violations,” explained ICTJ’s Virginie Ladisch. “By highlighting the everyday erosion of dignity caused to women, the artwork stands as a living testimony to exclusion and oppression experienced across society and promotes a deep understanding of the shared humanity of the other.”

By offering a distinctly interactive experience and platform for memorialization, this project invites participants into a dialogue about the universality of women's experiences and that builds a bridge between generations and among marginalized voices. "Voices of Memory" seeks to raise public awareness, instill a in participants a sense of rejection of these violations, and push for humane treatment for all prisoners. Through this exhibition and in partnership with Museum Lab and a team of artists, this group of Tunisian women sought to dig deep into the past in order to build a future where justice and mutual respect reign supreme. 

As visitors walk through the exhibition, they experience the sights, sounds, and even smells of a prison cell. In a designated reflection room, they are encouraged to share and record their own stories of confinement or repression. Through this distinctively interactive experience, the project engages citizens in a dialogue about the universality of women’s experiences. Ultimately, it seeks to build a bridge between generations, genders, and political and social divides, and to remind Tunisians of the other's humanity and the equality of all citizens.

Visit voicesofmemory.tn to explore more from the Voices of Memory project, including a graphic novel and an interactive, three-dimensional walkthrough of the exhibit, and to submit your own reflections.