Equal, with no exceptions


IN Algeria, Morocco and Turkey, their family laws recognise equality between the husband and wife and specify mutual respect and kindness in marriage. In Afghanistan, Bahrain (Shia), Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Pakistan, Tunisia, and Turkey, no wali (male custodian) is required for a woman to get married. In Egypt and Pakistan (Sindh province), the minimum age of marriage for both men and women is set at 18, without any exceptions. Those who conduct or register any marriage of a person below 18 commit an offence and can be punished.

In Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, polygamy is prohibited. In Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon (Sunni), Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine (West Bank), Qatar, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, a husband may delegate his unilateral right of divorce to his wife through the marriage contract, thus permitting her to pronounce talaq upon herself (talaq-e-tafwid/‘esma).

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Opinion , Women , Zainah Anwar , column

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