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Another Day, Another Obstacle: Writ Filed Challenging Legality of Women Affairs Reform Commission’s Recommendations

The Women Affairs Reform Commission submits its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on 19 April 2025. Photo: PID

The Women Affairs Reform Commission submits its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on 19 April 2025. Photo: PID

A Supreme Court lawyer has filed a writ petition at the High Court challenging the legality of several recommendations made in Chapters 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, and 12 of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission report.

The petition seeks directives to form an expert committee to review the contested recommendations, describing them as controversial, contradictory to Islamic Shariah, conflicting with religious sentiments, and inconsistent with the Constitution.

The petition seeks directives to form an expert committee to review the contested recommendations, describing them as controversial, contradictory to Islamic Shariah, conflicting with religious sentiments, and inconsistent with the Constitution. 

Highlights: 

  • Writ filed challenging legality of Women Affairs Reform Commission recommendations
  • Contested recommendations are called controversial and contradictory to Islamic Shariah
  • Equal inheritance, banning polygamy, and legalising sex work are challenged
  • Petition argues proposals contradict Quran, Constitution, and religious sentiments
  • Expert committee review sought for contested recommendations in the report

Advocate Rowshan Ali submitted the petition in the relevant section of the High Court today (4 May). He said the matter may be heard this week by the bench of Justice Fatema Najeeb and Justice Shikder Mahmudur Razee.

The petition specifically challenges proposals in the report that include equal inheritance rights for men and women, banning polygamy, recognising sex work as a legal profession, and references to gender identity and the slogan “My Body, My Choice”.

According to the petition, the proposal for equal inheritance directly contradicts Surah An-Nisa (4:11) of the Quran. The proposed ban on polygamy, which is permitted under Islamic law, is said to violate Article 41 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to practise religion.

The petition also states that advocating the slogan “My Body, My Choice” disregards religious and moral principles, and the recognition of sex work conflicts with Islamic values and Articles 2(ka) and 26 of the Constitution. In addition, the language used in the report on gender identity and transgender persons is said to oppose Sharia and religious beliefs.

The writ names three ministries and the chair of the commission as respondents. The Women Reform Commission Report, 2025 is a 318-page document published recently and discussed in various forums.
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