Muslim Women Defy Tradition By Being Trained To Become Quazis

Indian Muslim women’s rights organization, is training women to be quazis, or judges, a role traditionally reserved for men. What changes will this step bring?

Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) has taken a progressive step towards the emancipation of women by training women to be judges and equipping them with the necessary information which will give them the authority to solemnize marriage and finalize divorces and settlements. The various subjects covered are Quranic law, constitutional law and gender rights. The judges, till now, have been men and their judgement was never questioned. This put women in a considerably weak position.

This measure, however, is expected to ensure a steady stream of female quazis across India who will represent women who are in a vulnerable position. Muslim community is infamous for subjugating their women by suppressing their rights. There are many grave injustices against Muslim women. They find it difficult to wriggle out of polygamy and the ‘Triple talaq’ divorce tradition. In such a bleak scenario, BMMA has ensured that women are represented adequately when it comes to cases involving them.

The measure has got a mixed response. There are many men who are in disdain with the organization for giving women this right. This, according to them, will deviate women from their traditional roles of looking after the household chores. On the other hand, there is another group of rational Muslims who perceive this change as a milestone achievement for the community as it will inspire women to get themselves educated, broaden their horizon and  free themselves from oppressive rule of patriarchy instead of living in the shadow of men.

Women are breaking barriers by entering male-dominated professions and proving their mettle in them. If they can become successful pilots, doctors and truck drivers, then why not judges?

Image Courtesy:  FB profile of Zakia Soman

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