Women demand new laws

The Centre of Egyptian Women Issues demanded new legal restrictions on polygamy in Egypt at a conference on Wednesday. The meeting in Cairo, Egypt was attended by a number of representatives from Arab countries to discuss the introduction of a new family legislation which prohibits men from marrying again without permission from their wife. President of the centre, Azza Suleiman said during her speech: “The proposed legal restrictions on polygamy include preventing polygamy if the marriage certificate stipulates that. Men must seek the permission of the court in order to marry again. The man must show evidence that he is capable, physically and financially to support more than one wife.” Suleiman added: "We are only calling for legal restrictions on polygamy, not prevention.  The court may choose to prohibit polygamy if it suspects that the husband will not be able to provide for his wives and does not have sufficient resources to support two families equally.” She explained that if polygamy was necessary, then the husband should be committed to the financial rights of the first wife before seeking authorisation to remarry. If the first wife is against the marriage and requests a divorce, she is entitled to one – while still maintaining the financial rights. After the conference Suleiman told ArabsToday that Egyptian jurisprudence needs to be updated and include the needs of women as well as the community as a whole. She emphasised that the personal status laws and that ail Egyptian families need a broad discussion. Suleiman explained that women hoped to achieve equal rights following their role in the Egyptian revolution. But their status appears to be diminishing and they are becoming increasingly marginalised. The phenomenon of polygamy is growing in the country due to the fear of spinsterhood, which is a result of the deterioration of the economy. The Egyptian Centre for Women's Issues produced a new draft law to be delivered to the Ministry of Justice. The new proposed law includes giving freedom to couple to divorce and to end discrimination within the family unit.