Muslim Women Rights Day observed on 1st August

Muslim Women Rights Day observed on 1st August

 1st August is celebrated as Muslim Women Rights Day in India. The day is observed on August 1 in the backdrop of the Triple Talaq Bill, which was approved by the Parliament on August 1, 2019. The Triple Talaq Bill has proved to be a major milestone in freeing Muslim women from the shackles of social evil of the conditions of divorce.

 Shah Bano Begum & Ors Vs. Ahmed Khan' and 'Shayara Bano v Union of India and others' laid the foundation stone for this move. In her writ petition, Shayara Bano had sought the Supreme Court to declare the three practices talaq-e- biddat, polygamy, nikah-halala unconstitutional.

 The case was registered on the basis of violation of Article 14, 15, 21 and Article 25 of the Constitution. The Triple Talaq Act declared 'triple talaq' a criminal act. The law is considered an important step as it ensured the protection and empowerment of Muslim women against gender inequality by legally declaring the practice of 'talaq' a crime. That is why this day is celebrated as Muslim Women's Rights Day.

 The law seeks to promote women's self-reliance, self-respect as it strengthens the fundamental and democratic rights of Muslim women. The declaration of divorce will be considered a cognizable offense under the Triple Talaq Act. The law provides for imprisonment of up to 3 years along with a fine. Egypt was the first country to ban triple talaq in the year 1929.

 After Egypt, triple talaq has been banned in Sudan, Pakistan (in 1956), Malaysia (in 1969), Bangladesh (in 1972), Iraq (in 1959) and Syria (in 1953). In recent years the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Iran, Cyprus, Qatar, Jordan, Brunei, Algeria as well as India have banned the practice. Triple talaq cases have come down by 82% in India since the law was passed.