Islamic Ideological Council proposes easier divorce rules for women

ISLAMABAD: The Islamic Ideology Council has proposed new guidelines on marriage dissolution, allowing women to seek divorce if their husbands have been missing for two years.

The council, it is reported, reviewed the laws on marriage dissolution and agreed in principle with the recommendations of the Gender Equality Committee.

The council ruled that a woman can approach the court to annul her marriage if her husband has been absent for two years or imprisoned for three years.

Furthermore, if the husband is unable to fulfill marital responsibilities due to health problems such as mental illness or cancer, the woman can file for divorce after waiting for a year.

The decision is being seen as a step to ensure the protection of women’s rights, promote gender equality and provide legal avenues for women whose marriages have become untenable due to the husband’s prolonged absence or incapacity.