MPL Network Thematic Report on South Africa, in consultation with Musawah (2021)
In September 2021, the Muslim Personal Law (MPL) Network, in consultation with Musawah, submitted a Thematic Report on South Africa to the CEDAW Committee for review during the 80th session. This report examines Muslim women’s lived experience of discrimination in South Africa and provides evidence of non-compliance to Articles 1, 2, 3, 5, 15 and […]
Policy Brief 7: Marriage as a Partnership of Equals
‘Policy Brief 7: Marriage as a Partnership of Equals’ explores the importance of equality between spouses. It must be embedded in laws, policies, and practices in a way that is consistent with today’s realities. This can and has been done with teachings from the Qur’an, historical practice, and examples of the Prophet (pbuh) treating family […]
Policy Brief 6: Upholding the Best Interests of the Child in Custody and Guardianship
‘Policy Brief 6: Upholding the Best Interests of the Child in Custody and Guardianship’ outlines the case to reform child custody (hadanah) and guardianship (wilayah) provisions in Muslim family laws, which often discriminate against mothers and fail to serve the best interests of the children. Child custody and guardianship provisions in Muslim family laws are […]
Policy Brief 5: Fair and Just Financial Rights Upon Divorce
‘Policy Brief 5: Fair and Just Financial Rights Upon Divorce’ outlines the case to reform financial settlements upon divorce to be more fair and equitable. Women often face economic challenges when they divorce. While this occurs in most contexts, regardless of religion or national legal regimes, the problem can be particularly pronounced in countries with […]
Policy Brief 4: Equal Divorce Rights in Muslim Family Laws
‘Policy Brief 4: Equal Divorce Rights in Muslim Family Laws’ outlines how divorce provisions in many Muslim family laws are unfair and can be damaging to women and their children—but we can reform those laws. In many Muslim contexts, men and women do not have equal access to divorce. A husband can often divorce simply […]
Policy Brief 3: Ending Polygamy in Muslim Marriages
‘Policy Brief 3: Ending Polygamy in Muslim Marriages’ outlines the case for ending polygamy in Muslim marriages, instead advocating for monogamy as laid out in the Qur’an. Evidence shows that polygamy can be harmful to husbands, wives, and children who are involved in such relationships, as they strain individuals, families, and households, and can contribute […]
Survey Findings on the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women Living Under Discriminatory Muslim Family Laws
This paper, ‘Survey Findings on the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women Living Under Discriminatory Muslim Family Laws,’ is intended to better understand the gendered impacts of COVID-19, specifically how COVID-19 interacts with discriminatory Muslim family laws and the challenges faced by Muslim women who are subject to those laws. It is based on […]
