Muslim Women
Development and Condition of Muslim Women
Prevailing Laws and Traditions for Muslim Women
The Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) is a human right treaty for women. The basic structure of the organization is based upon three principles: equality, non-discrimination and state obligation. This organization has set some rules to eliminate discrimination against women. This organization set some specific rules which the state has to agree with and implement it on their state.
POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Fatwas have been issued in some of the Islamic countries barring Muslim Women from participating in elections on the grounds that it will bring them into contact with men. Such Fatwas hardly had any impact on women and the Muslim voters; who promptly ignored them. A fatwa banning Muslim women’s participation in elections (as contestants) has also been issued with the rider that if they still participate in elections, they may do so wearing the veil.
MARRIAGE RIGHTS The Muslim civil code has provided the Muslim man with a right to polygamy, though the prophet mentioned the subject only once. Moreover, a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim whereas a man can. Contrary to the general notion of equality, a husband is also granted a partial unilateral right of divorce. He can dissolve his marriage by uttering the word 'talaq' thrice even without stating the reasons and in the absence of his wife who merely needs to be informed. On the other hand, a woman can divorce her husband only if: * An agreement is made before or after the marriage by which she is at liberty to divorce herself from her husband under certain specified conditions which are not opposed to the policies of Islamic Law. * Unawareness about his whereabouts for 4 years. * failure to get maintenance for 2 years, * impotency, insanity of the husband, or if he is suffering from some venereal disease, * cruelty and option of puberty
Prevailing Laws and Traditions for Muslim Women
The Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) is a human right treaty for women. The basic structure of the organization is based upon three principles: equality, non-discrimination and state obligation. This organization has set some rules to eliminate discrimination against women. This organization set some specific rules which the state has to agree with and implement it on their state.
POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Fatwas have been issued in some of the Islamic countries barring Muslim Women from participating in elections on the grounds that it will bring them into contact with men. Such Fatwas hardly had any impact on women and the Muslim voters; who promptly ignored them. A fatwa banning Muslim women’s participation in elections (as contestants) has also been issued with the rider that if they still participate in elections, they may do so wearing the veil.
MARRIAGE RIGHTS The Muslim civil code has provided the Muslim man with a right to polygamy, though the prophet mentioned the subject only once. Moreover, a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim whereas a man can. Contrary to the general notion of equality, a husband is also granted a partial unilateral right of divorce. He can dissolve his marriage by uttering the word 'talaq' thrice even without stating the reasons and in the absence of his wife who merely needs to be informed. On the other hand, a woman can divorce her husband only if: * An agreement is made before or after the marriage by which she is at liberty to divorce herself from her husband under certain specified conditions which are not opposed to the policies of Islamic Law. * Unawareness about his whereabouts for 4 years. * failure to get maintenance for 2 years, * impotency, insanity of the husband, or if he is suffering from some venereal disease, * cruelty and option of puberty