Protecting Women’s Marriage Rights in Pakistan
Project Overview:
Musawi’s Protecting Women’s Marriage Rights project is a national initiative to enhance women’s access to justice under Pakistan’s Muslim Family Laws. The project uses a multi-pronged approach—awareness, legal aid, strategic litigation, training, and policy reform—to build a more equitable legal environment for women in marriage and family matters.
Project Goal & Approach
In partnership with the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), Musawi worked to advance women’s rights to divorce, financial security, and child custody through stronger enforcement of Pakistan’s Muslim Family Laws and marriage contracts.
This project focused on three core areas:
- Raising public awareness of women’s marriage rights and Nikkahnama clauses among women, men, youth, and civil society
- Strengthening the legal and institutional framework for registration and enforcement of marriage contracts
- Improving access to quality legal aid and representation for women and girls in marriage-related cases
Key Achievements
🧑⚖️ Catalyzed Legal Reform & Judicial Recognition
- Diagnostic Study on Nikkahnamas cited in multiple Supreme Court judgments
- Development of the Bench Book on Muslim Family Laws, now used in all judicial academies
- National dialogue on Muslim Family Laws launched through five high-level policy convenings
📞 Established a National Lifeline: Helpline 1413
- 685 women supported directly through Musawi’s dedicated helpline for marriage-related legal aid.
- Institutionalized within the National Commission for Human Rights for long-term sustainability
👥 Empowered 390,000+ Individuals with Rights Awareness
- 390,601 reached through digital awareness campaigns
- 2,024 trained in in-person sessions across four provinces, including 275 stateless persons and 50 persons with disabilities
⚖️ Expanded Legal Aid & Support Services
- 748 women provided with legal advice and representation in family law matters
- 52 judges, 56 prosecutors, and 59 Nikkah Registrars trained nationwide
🌐 Fostered Regional Exchange
- Hosted an international convening of 20 experts to share strategies and regional best practices on Muslim Family Law reform