Objectives:

• To encourage discussion between Islamic scholars, legal practitioners, gender specialists and academia regarding the compatibility between and scope for using shari’ah as a tool to enhance the protection of women
• Brainstorm modalities and opportunities for using shari’ah to enhance protection of and women’s ability to uphold their rights through the justice system
• Empower legal practitioners and other key actors with knowledge, skills and tools to use scholarly interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence to uphold women’s rights in court, undertake strategic litigation and drive advocacy and awareness-raising.

Personal status and family laws are pivotal to the protection and empowerment of women in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. In Jordan, laws concerning marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance are based on Islamic Shari’ah and codified in the Personal Status Law (No. 36 of 2010). Compared to other jurisdictions in the WANA region and Muslim countries in Africa and Asia, this legal protection framework is both extensive and progressive. This said, it is not disputed that women still face serious problems protecting themselves violence and upholding their rights in and after marriage. While there is significant work being done on justice sector reform and women’s access to justice, there has been less attention paid to the connection and complementarity between Islamic shari’ah and women’s rights protection.

The shari’ah courts, religious leaders and Islamic jurisprudence more generally have not been regarded as partners and tools in the protection of women’s rights. Islamic scholars argue that Islam is a key tool for upholding women’s rights and facilitating their empowerment. In response, in January 2015, the WANA Institute launched a programme entitled “Strengthening Women’s Legal Empowerment: Building an evidence base and mobilizing change-makers”.

The aim of this conference is to reflect upon this research, and discuss modalities and opportunities for using shari’ah to enhance the protection of women and their ability to uphold their rights through the justice system. A background scholarly paper will be released the week prior to the conference to inform discussions.

For information about the associated training, click here.

Download the project Concept Note for further information.

The concept note is currently only available in English.