Tunis: Tunisia's national assembly has approved an article in the draft constitution that would guarantee gender equality "without discrimination" in the Muslim nation.

"All male and female citizens have the same rights and duties. They are equal before the law without discrimination," states article 20 of the new charter, which was approved by 159 MPs out of the 169 who voted on Monday.

Tunisia's Parliament debates a new draft constitution that would guarantee equality "without discrimination". Credit:AP

Tunisia hopes to adopt the long-delayed new constitution by January 14, the three-year anniversary of the overthrow of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in a popular revolt that kicked off the Arab Spring.

Since the 1950s, when it gained independence from France, Tunisia has had the most liberal laws in the Arab world on women's rights, which some have accused the outgoing Islamist-led government of wanting to roll back.