Thread by @musawah

Over 45 countries in the world (some with Muslim majority populations & Muslim minorities) have codified or uncodified Muslim family laws that govern family relationships. Many of these laws are unfair and unjust towards women and girls. youtube.com/watch?v=YVNbar… #FreeOurFamilyLaws

Through our research on Muslim family laws in 40+ countries, we identified 12 most common issues of concern that negatively impact Muslim women, incl issues that arise at entry into marriage, during marriage, & at the time of dissolution of marriage. musawah.org/mapping-muslim…

We are pleased to share the 1st policy brief 'Why Muslim Family Law Reform? Why Now?'. The brief makes the case for reform of Muslim family laws incl evidence & arguments to support reform of discriminatory family laws. Download: musawah.org/resources/poli… #FreeOurFamilyLaws

Policy Brief #1: Why Muslim Family Law Reform? Why Now?’ outlines 10 fundamental facts to make the case for the reform of Muslim Family Laws, esp since resistance to reform is based on religious justifications. musawah.org/resources/poli… #FreeOurFamilyLaws

FACT 1: Discriminatory family laws are harmful to women, families & communities |
Over the past decade, Musawah has documented discrimination faced by women living under Muslim family laws globally.
Country tables: musawah.org/mapping-muslim…
Reports: musawah.org/resources/wome…

More studies & reports on lived realities of women under discriminatory family laws:
Malaysia - @SistersinIslam sistersinislam.org/telenisa/
India - @BMMA_India bmmaindia.com/publications/
Sri Lanka - @mplreforms mplreforms.com/unequal-citize…
Egypt - @CewlaCenter cewla.org/studies/

FACT 2: Muslim family laws do not reflect the current lived realities of families.
Check our our policy brief 'Why Muslim Family Law Reform? Why Now?’ which makes the case for reform of discriminatory family laws.
musawah.org/resources/poli… #FreeOurFamilyLaws

FACT 3: Muslim family laws are based on fiqh - human interpretations of Shari‘ah |
A common myth is that Muslim family laws are 'divine' & therefore unchangeable, when infact they are based on fiqh/human interpretations, customs, colonial heritage etc.. musawah.org/resources/poli…

VIDEO: Shari'ah, Fiqh & Islamic law.
The boundaries between some key terms such as Shariʿah, Fiqh & Islamic law are often blurred & confused in everyday language. This confusion contributes to gender inequality in modern family laws.
youtube.com/watch?v=OB7Iu3… #FreeOurFamilyLaws

FACT 4: The Qur‘an and Sunnah offer values that can serve as the foundation for egalitarian laws.

Read our latest brief 'Why Muslim Family Law Reform? Why Now?’ which distills key arguments for reform into 10 Fundamental Facts musawah.org/resources/poli… #FreeOurFamilyLaws

VIDEO: What Makes Reform Possible?
Reform is often resisted on the grounds that Muslim family laws are divine & thus not open to change. Yet in reality change & reform have been inherent in Muslim legal tradition. A rich history of diverse opinions! youtube.com/watch?v=2FmXJ8…

FACT 5: A diversity of tools within Muslim legal tradition supports egalitarian laws and allows for reform.
Muslim legal tradition is rich, flexible, dynamic & provides the conceptual tools & legal methods which guide towards egalitarian gender relations in families & society.

Check out our series of Knowledge Building Brief designed for activists, religious scholars, policy makers, & anyone interested in promoting equality & justice in Muslim contexts & ending the misuse of Islam to justify discrimination against women musawah.org/knowledge-buil…

We're halfway through the 10 Fundamental Facts for why Muslim family law reform is necessary and possible!

Download the full Policy Brief #1: 'Why Muslim Family Law Reform? Why Now?’ here musawah.org/resources/poli… #FreeOurFamilyLaws

FACT 6: No two Muslim family laws in the world are exactly the same.
The diversity of Muslim family laws is evidence of the role that humans have played in developing these laws—and how changeable & adaptable these laws can be.
bit.ly/musawahpb1 #FreeOurFamilyLaws

FACT 7: Reform of Muslim family laws is happening around the world.

Recent reforms towards equality and justice show that change is indeed possible, with the political will of state leaders & policy makers. bit.ly/musawahpb1
#FreeOurFamilyLaws

Musawah is tracking positive developments in Muslim family laws globally. musawah.org/resources/posi…

These legal developments & the variety of contemporary family laws in multiple Muslim contexts proves that these family laws can & must be reformed to address lived realities.

FACT 8: Reform of family laws is essential to achieve gender equality.

Legal restrictions in family laws constrain women’s ability to decision making and have far-reaching consequences in all areas of life. More info: bit.ly/musawahpb1

#FreeOurFamilyLaws

@OHCHRAsia @wef @GAPGender @UNDP FACT 9: Reform of family laws is necessary to accelerate human development.

In addition to SDG 5 on gender equality,’ reform of family laws also impacts progress on other SDG goals e.g.: Goal 3 (health), Goal 4 (education), & Goal 8 (economic progress). bit.ly/musawahpb1

A recent comprehensive cross-country study by Dr. @malahtun et al drew the conclusion that “egalitarian reform of family law may be the most crucial precondition for empowering women economically.”

Read more: academic.oup.com/sp/article/26/…

#FreeOurFamilyLaws

FACT 10: Equality in the family is the foundation for equality in society.

Families, in all their diverse forms, are at the core of all societies—and are both a central support system & a place where individuals experience exploitation & discrimination. bit.ly/musawahpb1

Musawah’s Campaign for Justice in Muslim Family Laws - Executive Director Zainah Anwar explains the campaign:
Why it is necessary, why now, and how you can join us
youtube.com/watch?v=r8q89F…

More info on the campaign - musawah.org/campaign-for-j… #FreeOurFamilyLaws