Connect
Login
ADD YOUR NEWS
No equality for Mali women - Women’s rights bill blocked
Elie | Aug 27 2009

The president of Mali has announced that he is not going to sign the country’s new family law, instead returning it to parliament for review.

Muslim groups have been protesting against the law, which gives greater rights to women, ever since parliament adopted it at the start of the month.

President Amadou Toumani Toure said he was sending the law back for the sake of national unity.

Muslim leaders have called the law the work of the devil and against Islam.

More than 90% of Mali’s population is Muslim.

Some of the provisions that have proved controversial give more rights to women.

For example, under the new law women are no longer required to obey their husbands, instead husbands and wives owe each other loyalty and protection.

Add your comments
Login or Register to comment Add your comment as Guest
Or
Connect