I appreciate the Women Development Department, Government of Punjab who passed the law, relating to the marriage certificate. They have made it mandatory to fill all clauses relating to the rights of the bride and groom, which are necessary to fill at the time of marriage. This was something that our male dominant society was ignoring, especially the women’s rights. The nikkah khaw or Qazi or the grooms family would cross out all the clauses related to the rights given by our religion to a bride, depriving her of her basic right.
Marriage is a contract like other contracts, specifying everyone’s contribution to a contract, if both parties do not agree; this is not a valid contract. Our religion gives equal rights to both genders. I urge the NGO’s and other women’ welfare societies to follow this excellent example and pass a similar bill from Sindh assembly.
SYEDA HABZA FATIMA,
Karachi, May 24.