Muslim women’s groups demand action on MMDA reforms

Three organisations advocating Muslim women’s rights have called on the Government to disclose the status of proposed reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), saying the process has again stalled following a public consultation earlier this year.

The Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG), Islamic Women’s Association for Research and Education (IWARE) and Human Elevation Organisation (HEO), in a joint statement, said the Ministry of Justice had reconvened the Committee appointed to recommend amendments to the 1951 Act, in late 2025.

The Ministry subsequently conducted a public consultation, from February to April 2026, seeking views on five key areas: the minimum age of marriage, the right of a bride to sign her own marriage documents, polygamy and related conditions, the Quazi/District/Family Court system, and the eligibility of women to serve as Quazis.

The organisations said they, along with several other groups and individuals, had made detailed submissions to the Ministry in response to the consultation.

However, they said more than four months had passed since the consultations ended without any public update on the progress of the reforms.

“What has the Ministry of Justice done with the public feedback it has received? Is the MMDA Amendment Bill being finalised? If so, on what timeline?” they asked.

The groups noted that a Committee appointed by the then Minister of Justice, in 2021, had completed its work within a year, but the subsequent implementation of the proposed reforms had been delayed.

They said continued delays meant Muslim girls remained at risk of child marriage, while Muslim women continued to face restrictions and difficulties relating to marriage registration and divorce procedures under the existing MMDA and Quazi system.

The organisations urged the Ministry and the Committee advising the Minister to publicly disclose the current status of the MMDA Amendment Bill, provide a clear timeline for Cabinet approval and its presentation to Parliament, and ensure that all areas of discrimination affecting Muslim women and girls are addressed.

They said comprehensive reform should be based on principles of justice, equality and compassion and be consistent with Article 12 of the Constitution.

“Muslim women and girls have engaged with this process and made their voices heard. Now it is the government’s turn to act, visibly, and without any further delay,” they said.