MMDA reform is progressing and the fact that the Cabinet of Ministers are engaging with the much needed for reform is a positive step. This momentum has been shadowed by the fact that the reforms proposed are not adequately addressing the issues.
In the spirit of continuing to highlight the need for comprehensive and meaningful reform the table below engages with the proposed amendments the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) as approved by Cabinet of Ministers on August 20th 2019. The approved recommendations contain highly problematic amendments on certain matters and have in effect failed to adequately address concerns raised by Muslim women’s groups on some other matters.
Appeals to MPs from women’s organisations to improve on the decisions of 11th July have gone unheard. It is devastating that pressures and threats from conservative community groups against reform have triumphed over principles of equality and justice and basic fundamental rights of Muslim women. It is utterly disappointing that Muslim MPs have backtracked on some of the previous progressive positions of 11th July.
*Shaded in pink are the most detrimental amendments proposed. Shaded in orange are amendments that are incomplete and/or problematic but to a lesser degree than those in pink. Please refer to accompanying comments. Download full table here.
We will post the approved cabinet paper below, once publicly available.