ICC Note:

In Pakistan, Christian marriage is governed by legislation dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. The rules governing divorce, for example, often forced men to convert to Islam in order to divorce their wives while also harming women. Specifically, divorce was only possible if a Christian wife claimed adultery, a confession frequently forced and always humiliating. Pakistan is reportedly looking to change the rules in order to better protect both Christians and women.  

3/13/2017 Pakistan (Asia News) – The Government of Punjab has decided to change four laws that govern Christian marriage in order to better “protect women”. The announcement came yesterday, International Women’s Day.

The purpose of the change, the authorities argue, “is to give Christian women basic rights, as guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan.”

Speaking to AsiaNews, Christian activists, educators and parliamentarians praised the decision, which could be a decisive step forward towards the protection of religious minorities, in particular minority women.

Yesterday, the government said that Punjab Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department, the Strategic Reforms Unit, and Women’s Development Department held consultations with stakeholders.

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