The National Commission for Women has submitted a comprehensive recommendatory report on Rights of Muslim Women in India to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Development, and Ministry of Minority Affairs. The submission follows an extensive national-level consultation aimed at strengthening the legal, social, and constitutional rights of Muslim women in the country.

The Commission observed that while constitutional safeguards and recent legal reforms have contributed significantly towards advancing women’s rights, there is more substantial scope to strengthen legal awareness. This will help to improve access to justice and bring greater clarity and consistency through progressive codification of personal laws. Particular emphasis was placed on issues relating to marriage, divorce, maintenance, custody, and inheritance.

The consultation also examined key legislations governing Muslim women’s rights, including the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 and the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.