Since 2012, Musawah has been researching Muslim family laws and practices that enforce de jure and de facto discrimination against women in various Muslim majority and minority countries.
Through Musawah’s work in international advocacy, capacity building and knowledge building, a strong need to map out and track positive developments in Muslim family laws globally emerged.
12 Principal Areas of Concern
Equality of Spouses in Marriage
Polygamous Marriage
Women’s Financial Rights After Divorce
Inheritance Rights
Consent into Marriage / Forced Marriage
Divorce Rights
Custody of Children
Violence Against Women in the Family
Women’s Capacity to Enter Into Marriage
Minimum and Equal Age of Marriage
Guardianship of Children
Nationality
Global Repository of Muslim Family Laws
In 2016 we began compiling information outlining the legislative frameworks, available case law, policies, procedures and practices in 31 countries (and counting) along 12 principal issues of concern we have identified.
The country overview tables were prepared in consultation with national advocates and experts and are still works-in-progress given the diverse and evolving nature of law reform globally.
Positive Developments in Muslim Family Laws
The diversity of provisions and practices in Muslim family laws across the world and the ongoing process of reform of these laws in multiple countries, demonstrates that change towards more egalitarian family laws which guarantee equality and justice to Muslim women and men, is both necessary and possible.
- Equality of Spouses in Marriage
- Polygamous Marriage
- Women’s Financial Rights After Divorce
- Inheritance Rights
- Consent into Marriage / Forced Marriage
- Divorce Rights
- Custody of Children
- Violence Against Women in the Family
- Women’s Capacity to Enter Into Marriage
- Minimum and Equal Age of Marriage
- Guardianship of Children
- Nationality