Tunisia, where the father of independence, HabibBourguiba, granted women the right to divorce and encouraged them to get a higher education as far back as the 1960s, is a case in point.
Witnesses say Mr Khedhri shouted: "This is a young man who sells cigarettes because of unemployment, " before setting himself on fire on the steps of the municipal theatre on HabibBourguiba Avenue, on Tuesday.