Activist group demands law to protect rights of women

Manama : A Bahraini activist group has called for establishing a family law in Jaafari courts to protect women from domestic abuse and unfair treatment.

“The mistreatment of women in Jaafari courts should be brought to an end. The absence of a family law has damaged the lives of so many Shia women and families for decades. This law can provide Shia women their rights as equal citizens,” the ‘Citizens for Bahrain’ said in a statement yesterday.

It also stated that several cases have been reported of unfair judgments where local clerics have made rulings without access to clear criteria or opportunities for appeal.

“The family law stands in line with international conventions and protects women rights according to the Universal declaration of human rights which the state is bound to. The UN Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) emphasizes the necessity of a such a law in Bahrain. Many experts in Shia Islamic law have also stressed that such law could be in accordance with religious principles,” it said.

The group further affirmed that the law would protect the rights of women irrespective of their sect or religion.

“Bahrain should protect the rights of both Shia and Sunni women, despite the fact that Shia legislators rejected the law fearing that it would undermine traditional hierarchies in Shia communities. An urgent legislative action will ensure real progress towards passing an effective law which responds to the challenges facing women and families today. This is also a crucial time for Parliament’s Women’s Committee that is committed to the empowerment of women, to be properly activated with a membership,” the group stated.

In 2008,  a family law for the Sunni courts was passed. However Jaafari courts are yet to take such a step. According to the group, there have been hundreds of cases of mistreatment and pending cases of divorce and alimony in the Jaafari courts.