Afghanistan | New decree on women’s rights emphasises on consent to marriage

The Taliban government of Afghanistan has issued a new decree on the rights of women in accordance with the sharia laws in the country. The law focusses on women’s right to marriage, right to inherit property and remarriage.

Key points:

1. A women’s consent had to be taken before marriage. No women should be forced to marry anyone.
2. A woman has the right to inherit the property of her dead husband. No one could deny her a share of her husband’s inheritance.
3. A widow cannot be forcibly married off to a member of the husband’s family or any other man without her consent.
4. In case of a second marriage of a widow, she has the right to ask for “Mehar” from her new husband. There have been several cases when widows were not given the traditional “Mehar.”
5. In case of a man with more than one wife, it was incumbent on the husband to look after both in accordance with the sharia law. Both are to be treated with respect.

The new decree is being highly criticised in the world for being silent upon women’s right to education and work outside home.

*Tanvi Singh, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.