In October 2017 – Musawah and Advocacy for Women in Peace and Security, Africa (AWAPSA), submitted a Joint Thematic Report on Article 16 for Kenya to the CEDAW Committee for review at its 68th Session in Geneva, Switzerland. The report examines the necessity for codification of the Muslim family law based on equality between men and women, as well as other issues pertaining to access to justice. It also highlights discrimination faced by Kenyan Muslim women in the following areas: male-only positions in the Kadhi Court system, women’s equal capacity to enter into marriage, child and early marriage, polygamy and divorce. The report highlights positive developments in Muslim family laws with examples of good and better practices from other Muslim contexts, based on Musawah’s research and comparative analysis of family laws and practices in 31 countries.
This is the Oral Statement on Kenya delivered to the 68th Session of the CEDAW Committee.
Click HERE to see the country overview table tracking Muslim family laws in Kenya.