Breaking up the family : divorce in Egyptian law and practice - Bernard-Maugiron, Nathalie; Dupret, Baudouin (Hawwa, 2008)
From the twentieth century onward, Egyptian law-makers strived to re-instate a balance between men and women in their access to breaking-off the marriage. The legislature started interfering in new fields to favor the adaptation of law to the evolution of society and to find solutions to social problems it was confronted with. The study of the explanatory notes of the laws discloses this very spirit. The outcome of those reforms is, however, mitigated. No doubt women's status in divorce has improved, but it remains very unequal in comparison to men. These latter can unilaterally sever spousal relationships by means of repudiation, even if the legislature has interfered, here too, to insert this means of breaking-off in a tight legal framework. Moreover, the practical effect of these judicial reforms is in question. The study of breaking-off marriage in Egypt must therefore be carried out through two approaches, one legal and the other sociological. The legal dimension will be addressed through examining the legal texts that govern family laws, as well as their explanatory notes. The second part will be dedicated to the implementation of those norms, including before the courts, and to the various obstacles that impede the effective implementation of reforms.
Keywords: journalArticle; DIVORCE; EGYPTE; Egypt; Islamic law; family law; marriage; personal status