Tunisian women's STEM achievements spark misogynistic backlash on Facebook

Instead of acknowledging their academic success, some male users questioned the women's private lives, marital status, and societal roles. Comments included remarks like "World first only for 'old maids' and alimony" and "What is the divorce rate and 'old maids' rate?" Others questioned the utility of their degrees, suggesting women should focus on fields like psychology or sociology to better raise children and manage households, implying STEM fields are "reserved for men."

The discussion devolved into criticisms about women's appearance, social activities, and perceived shift in power dynamics, with some users asserting that educated women are either unemployed in Tunisia or benefit foreign countries. The article highlights a pattern where positive information about women's achievements is met with attempts to diminish or redefine their roles, emphasizing that for some, a woman's place remains in the home, regardless of her educational or professional accomplishments.