Women’s rights in the family law in Kuwait and Shariah courts in Bahrain will be the focus of a study to be conducted soon as part of GCC women’s activists’ celebration to mark the International Women Day.
The Kuwaiti Chairwoman of the Cultural and Social Society Shaikha Al Nasaf said during the first GCC Forum that the study was divided to theatrical and practical as those conducting it would review family law in Kuwait and its commitment to protection of women’s rights and judgment differences between Jaffary and Sunni courts in Bahrain.
The study would also highlight activities conducted by the society and Bahrain’s Women Union and find mechanisms to enhance NGOs activities in empowering women.
The forum three-day event started on March 26 in Kuwait city and attracted activists from all GCC states.
Al Nasaf said that the society launched on March 8 a campaign entitled “Your Law is Your Light” to enhance women’s awareness on laws in general and the family law in particular.
The Bahrain’s delegation highlighted the long journey to pressure the government to comply Shariah principles in one law (family law) as the President of Women Union Mariam Al Ruwai said that activists had been fighting for the law for more than twenty years.
The debated law is facing mix reactions from the public as some are supporting it to regulate judgment process of court cases related to marriage, divorce, custody, alimony and inherences, while others object its importance as according to them the legislation is the first step to abandon Shariah judgments.
Al Ruwai said that the law would benefit all family members, mainly women. “Many women prefer to lead miserable marriage lives out of fear of being humiliated or mistreated at courts.”
While highlighting the benefits of the law, Al Ruwai explained that it wouldn’t bring magical solutions but situations at courts would be better after its implementation. “The role of the law could be reinforced with major reforms in the judicial authority, such as better criteria in selecting judges and the fast activation of the alimony fund.”
While highlighting the benefits of the law, Al Ruwai explained that it wouldn’t bring magical solutions but situations at courts would be better after its implementation. “The role of the law could be reinforced with major reforms in the judicial authority, such as better criteria in selecting judges and the fast activation of the alimony fund.”
UNIFEM’s Executive Director Mona Ghanim called upon NGOs and women movements to pressure governments of Arab world to implement family laws to deal affectively with legal disputes related to Shariah. She said that the forum was good chance to motivate activists to join efforts for more rights for women.
The forum highlighted the publishing of a guide to highlight Bahrain and Kuwait experiences in fighting for the implementation of the family law.
-- Women Gateway
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