Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), discriminatory family laws continue to deny women and girls equal rights in marriage, divorce, inheritance, and guardianship. In response, the Hurra Coalition — a network of 13 feminist and human rights organisations — is leading powerful women’s rights advocacy and women’s empowerment campaigns to promote equality and justice across the region.
As a founding member and secretariat of the Coalition, Equality Now reaffirmed its call for governments to urgently address family law discrimination undermining women’s equality and justice in the MENA region.
Driving Gender Equality Movements and Reforming Family Laws
During its annual meeting in Istanbul, the Coalition reviewed its progress in ending child marriage, ensuring women’s financial rights, and securing custody protections for mothers.
Dr. Dima Dabbous, Equality Now’s Regional Representative for MENA, stated:
“We are building a united civil front that insists on equality, justice, and full citizenship for women and girls across the Arab world.”
From Egypt to Morocco and Palestine, members presented inspiring women’s empowerment campaigns tackling harmful traditions like child marriage. Hala Abdelkader from the Egyptian Foundation for Family Development explained how workshops in rural Cairo are changing perspectives — recognizing child marriage as discrimination, not culture.
In Morocco, Mains Libres led campaigns to remove marriage law exceptions, while in Palestine, the Women’s Studies Centre reached schools and communities to close judicial loopholes allowing early marriages.
Women’s Financial and Legal Rights Under the Spotlight
Beyond marriage reform, Hurra Coalition members are pushing for fair property division, alimony rights, and shared financial justice after divorce. From Tunisia to Bahrain, advocates are leading gender equality movements that demand full recognition of women’s economic contributions.
In Tunisia, Kadirat urged property law reform to guarantee equal rights between spouses, while the Lebanese Council to Resist Violence Against Women highlighted how lengthy court cases deny women their fair share of assets. In Iraq, ASUDA is campaigning to reactivate the alimony fund to protect divorced women’s financial rights.
Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders
The Hurra Coalition also focuses on youth participation and leadership in women’s rights advocacy. Young representatives from Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations attended this year’s meeting to exchange experiences and strengthen solidarity.
Rahaf Al Obaidat from Darbna Network in Jordan said:
“Gender equality is not just a national issue — it’s a shared human struggle we must all continue to fight.”
A United Front for Equality and Justice
Equality Now’s MENA Legal Adviser, Naglaa Sarhan, stressed that the coalition’s strength lies in “its diversity of experiences and its shared goal — reforming family laws through equality and justice.”
As the Hurra Coalition expands its partnerships and regional initiatives, it continues to drive women’s empowerment campaigns that create lasting change through awareness, reform, and youth engagement.
For travel and cultural insights from across the MENA region, visit Travel Afrikeye.
This story was first reported by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now. Read the full article here.
