Call for Laws Enforcement to Protect Women in Zanzibar

Zanzibar — IN an effort to safeguard the rights of couple in marriage, particularly women, activists in Zanzibar are calling for the review of Kadhis laws to introduce marital contract.

"It is high time binding contract is introduced between husband and wife. This will help women when divorced or even when the husband dies," said Asha Abdi, activist in Zanzibar as she encouraged extensive awareness among the public.

Khadis' courts are a court system in Zanzibar with jurisdiction to enforce limited rights of inheritance, family, and succession for Muslims.

She made the point as other activists from Zanzibar Female Lawyers Association (ZAFELA) echoed at the press conference to reveal findings from the survey of how the Kadhis court has been handling cases related to marital affairs.

At the meeting convened by the Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA) here yesterday, journalists heard researchers say that there has been massive violation of marital rights for women due to weaknesses of the Khadhi court.

According to the researchers' report women are always losers when divorced even if she has contributed to the development of her husband during marriage and also may be denied inheritance when the husband dies.

The research led by Ms Mwajuma Juma and Ms Nasra Mohammed, was part of the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) project formed with the objectives of promoting women including raising voices against gender violence.

It was said at the conference that statistics from Kadhis Court, showing divorce, is shocking yet the Islamic laws being used by the Kadhis are dormant about wealth distribution after divorce.

Following pressure from women and children rights activists and support from Zanzibar Laws Reform Commission led by Judge Mshimbe Bakari, authorities in the islands have accepted to review the Kadhis courts and the Shariah law being applied in he court "Let us join forces, media and journalists have a key role to play in making sure that there is no suppression in marriage and after divorce.

Awareness on marital rights remain important for men, women, and family members, and the community," emphasized Mohammed.

Source:allAfrica