The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recommended a progressive codification of Muslim personal laws, aiming to bring uniformity and gender justice in the application of these laws. The recommendation was made in a report submitted to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of Muslim women and ensure equality under the law.
Key Recommendations
The NCW report suggests several reforms, including the prohibition of arbitrary triple talaq, regulation of nikah halala, and ensuring maintenance rights for divorced Muslim women. It also calls for a uniform age of marriage for Muslim women and the registration of marriages to prevent disputes.
Gender Justice Focus
The commission stressed that the codification should be based on the principles of the Quran and the Constitution, ensuring that Muslim women are not discriminated against. The recommendations aim to strike a balance between religious practices and constitutional guarantees of equality.
The NCW has urged the government to initiate a consultative process with stakeholders, including Muslim scholars and women's rights activists, to draft a comprehensive law. This move is seen as a step towards empowering Muslim women and aligning personal laws with modern legal standards.
