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Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Musawah’s groundbreaking initiative: A global repository of Muslim family laws

World's first global repository of Muslim family laws promoting equality and autonomy for women by Musawah's Campaign for Justice.

Musawah’s Campaign for Justice (CFJ) has recently launched a groundbreaking microsite, establishing the world’s first and only global repository of Muslim family laws. This online archive serves as a comprehensive resource, offering detailed information on legislation, case law, procedures, policies, and practices related to Muslim family laws in over 38 countries. Musawah, a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family, aims to combat the severe discrimination faced by Muslim women and girls worldwide. With its focus on reform and advocacy, Musawah continues to make significant strides in promoting fairness, autonomy, and gender equality within Muslim family structures.

Mapping Discrimination

Since 2012, Musawah has been actively researching and examining the discriminatory aspects of Muslim family laws in both majority and minority Muslim countries. Through its reports on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Muslim family laws, Musawah has monitored compliance in addressing discrimination against Muslim women in family law matters across 44 countries. By shedding light on the intersection between religion and women’s rights, Musawah has paved the way for positive developments and progress in the realm of Muslim family laws.

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Power of Knowledge

The CFJ’s online repository of Muslim family laws proves to be a valuable resource for various individuals and groups. Researchers, students, academicians, and women’s advocacy organizations will find an abundance of data to support their endeavors. The repository’s country overviews, data tables, and comprehensive information on legislation, case law, procedures, policies, and practices offer deep insights into the existing legal frameworks and challenges faced by Muslim women in different regions. By providing access to this knowledge, Musawah empowers advocates and activists to drive change and promote women’s rights within their respective communities.

Towards Equality and Autonomy

Musawah firmly believes that the reform of discriminatory Muslim family laws is not only necessary but also achievable. Over the past two decades, the movement to reconcile religion and rights in the Muslim world has witnessed significant growth in both academic studies and activism. Musawah’s work in international advocacy, capacity building, and knowledge building has played a pivotal role in facilitating positive changes in Muslim family laws globally. By challenging the traditional interpretation and application of Islam in legal contexts, Musawah seeks to create a compassionate and secure space for Muslim women within their families.

Reimagining the Muslim Family

Musawah stands at the forefront of the global endeavor to reshape the understanding and implementation of Islam in relation to women’s rights. By providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration among NGOs, activists, scholars, legal practitioners, policy-makers, and grassroots women and men, Musawah fosters a collective effort towards equality and justice in the Muslim family. The movement’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity recognizes that “family” takes on various forms and should serve as a supportive and empowering space for Muslim women.

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Musawah’s Campaign for Justice, with its pioneering online repository of Muslim family laws, marks a significant milestone in the fight for women’s rights and equality. Through meticulous research, advocacy, and knowledge dissemination, Musawah aims to challenge discriminatory practices and promote fair and equitable access to justice within formal and informal court systems. By harnessing the power of information, Musawah empowers individuals, organizations, and communities to advocate for change, transforming the way Islam is understood and utilized in law and practice. With Musawah leading the way, a world where Muslim women have full equality and autonomy within their families is within reach.