Muslim Women

Image: Muslim women in Sri Lanka; Credit: Abdul-Halik Azeez. The Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) which was enacted in 1951 has been perceived primarily as religious and minority issue. Muslim male politicians and religious leaders and government actors for over decades have only considered it a concern to be resolved ‘within the community’. Thus this […]

Hyshyama Hamin and Hasanah Cegu Isadeen. In November, we completed ‘Unequal Citizens: Muslim women’s struggle for justice and equality in Sri Lanka’ – a one-year study that sought answers as to why the reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) was many decades overdue. In light of the constitutional reforms process, the study […]

Image courtesy of Abdul-Halik Azeez. By Shreen Abdul Saroor* Despite volumes of research and recommendations for reform, Sri Lanka’s Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act of 1951 (MMDA) and the Quazi court system remain untouched and continue to oppress Muslim women.  Muslim women face domestic violence, exploitation and child marriage, and the prospect of their husbands […]

Image by the writer: Soon after “Ladies First” was screened, I met these Saudi students in Washington Square Park in New York. Hend, on the left, had watched the documentary and criticized it for portraying her country as a place that oppresses women. “We don’t need to abolish male guardianship,” she said. “We need to […]

( A group of Muslim students visiting Galle Fort ©s.deshapriya) Statement by Women’s Action Network. Constitutional reforms pointless, if fundamental rights does not apply to all citizens equally. It is a hopeful time for Sri Lanka as a country that is seeking justice, fairness and progress for all. It is encouraging to note that the […]