- Victory for Muslim Women and Children: The Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) achieved a major win as President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Divorce Amendment Bill, granting legal recognition and protection to Muslim marriages in South Africa.
- Constitutional Court Ruling: In June 2022, South Africa’s Constitutional Court found that the Marriage Act of 1961 and Divorce Act of 1979 did not comply with the Constitution because they excluded Shariah (Islamic law) marriages that weren’t registered as civil marriages.
- New Protections: The new amendments to the Divorce Act now recognize Muslim marriages. They provide essential rights, including:
- Protection for minor and dependent children,
- Fair distribution of assets,
- Legal remedies for divorce.
- Addressing Historical Injustice: Before this change, Muslim women were denied key rights like inheritance, maintenance, and fair asset division in divorce or upon the death of a spouse.
- WLC’s Role and Mission: Since 1994, the WLC has been dedicated to fighting discrimination against Muslim women, believing in equal application of the Constitution to all citizens.
- About the Women’s Legal Centre: The WLC is a feminist legal organization in Africa that promotes women’s rights through litigation, advocacy, education, legal advice, research, and training to combat gender-based injustices and empower women.
- For more information, please contact WLC at info@wlce.co.za
- For media-related queries, please contact WLC at communications@wlce.co.za
