Bahiyya El Kassimi

A pioneering Tunisian educator and reformer who championed women's access to education in the 19th century

Bahiyya El Kassimi (1815–1880) was a visionary educator and social reformer from Tunisia who played a pivotal role in advancing women's rights and education during the Ottoman era. Born into a prominent family, she defied societal norms by establishing Tunisia's first girls' school in 1845, which later evolved into the prestigious Al-Marsa Girls' School. Her efforts laid the groundwork for Tunisia's modern education system, emphasizing literacy, mathematics, and Islamic studies. El Kassimi collaborated with progressive leaders like Ahmed Ibn Mahmoud to modernize Tunisia's legal and educational frameworks. Her advocacy for girls' education inspired future generations, including the 1873 Code of Hamouda, which mandated primary education for girls. Despite facing opposition from conservative factions, her legacy endures through Tunisia's high literacy rates and gender equality initiatives.