Uniform family law must to end discrimination

Speakers at a discussion yesterday suggested enacting a uniform family law in the country instead of religion and custom-based laws, which often discriminate against women.

"If religion is used as an excuse in the case of reservations about Article 16.1(c) of CEDAW then why should it also not be used in case of other laws in the country?" questioned Shahdeen Malik, referring to provisions of the Penal Code and Contract Law which conflict with the Quran and Sunnah.

The country still has reservations on Article 2 and 16.1(c) of CEDAW which require states to pursue policy of eliminating discrimination against women, and provide both men and women the same rights and responsibilities during marriage and at its dissolution.  

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organised the discussion titled "'Full Ratification and Implementation of 'CEDAW' treaty for Sustainable Development" held at the capital's Cirdap in observance of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Day.  

In 1984, Bangladesh with reservations in four articles became a party to the international treaty adopted in December 1979 and ratified by 20 countries in September 3, 1981.

Rakhi Saha, secretary of central committee of BMP, reading out a concept note highlighted the eighth periodic report the government submitted stating the progress in implementation of the treaty.

On the reservations of Article 16.1 (c), the periodic report, available on the women and children affairs ministry, states, "The personal laws are governed by religious provision. It will take some more time to make the society agree on a uniform family code."

At present, marriage and divorce of Muslims are governed by Shariah law, Hindus and Buddhist by Hindu law and Christians by Christian law.

Prof Mizanur Rahman, chairman of National Human Rights Commission; and Ayesha Khanam, president of BMP, among others, spoke.

The women's rights organisation also presented 13 recommendations to the government, including enactment of a uniform family code for all citizens of the country.