The Hurra Coalition, a network of 13 feminist and human rights organisations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has renewed its call for comprehensive reform of discriminatory family laws that deny women and girls equal rights in marriage, divorce, inheritance, and guardianship.
The appeal followed the Coalition’s annual meeting held in Istanbul, where members reviewed progress in their campaigns and outlined strategies around three key focus areas: ending child marriage, ensuring women’s financial rights, and protecting mothers’ custody and guardianship after divorce.
In her remarks, Dr. Dima Dabbous, Equality Now’s Regional Representative for MENA and a founding member of the Hurra Coalition, said the gathering reaffirmed their shared mission to eliminate gender-based legal discrimination.
“This meeting marks a critical moment to renew our commitment to reform laws that entrench inequality. Together, we are building a united civil front for women’s full citizenship and justice across the Arab world,” she said.
Child Marriage Remains a Major Concern
Coalition members spotlighted child marriage as one of the most damaging outcomes of discriminatory laws.
From Egypt to Palestine and Morocco, campaign leaders shared local initiatives that are shifting community attitudes and pressing for legislative change.
In Egypt, Hala Abdelkader, Executive Director of the Egyptian Foundation for Family Development, said grassroots workshops have begun changing perceptions around early marriage, helping communities see it as “a form of violence, not a social custom.”
In Morocco, Houda Mouqer of Mains Libres urged the complete removal of exceptions that allow underage marriages, calling for the legal marriage age to be set at 18 without exceptions.
Similarly, in Palestine and Lebanon, activists stressed the need to close judicial loopholes and enforce existing decrees that set minimum marriage ages to protect girls from abuse and exploitation.
Fighting for Women’s Financial and Custody Rights
Discussions also focused on the economic vulnerability of women after divorce or widowhood. Activists from Lebanon, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, and Bahrain shared findings on systemic barriers that prevent women from accessing alimony, shared property, or fair compensation.
Legal expert Nasser Al Rayes called for a “comprehensive legal and social approach” to achieve economic justice for women, while Zahra Saleh Ibrahim of Bahrain’s legal community advocated for broader recognition of women’s unpaid labor through the principle of “Kadd and S‘aya,” which values women’s household contributions in family income.
Members also raised concerns about outdated child custody laws, urging that reforms prioritize the best interests of children while protecting mothers’ rights.
Youth Engagement and the Road Ahead
The Hurra Coalition is also investing in youth leadership, training young advocates from across the Arab region in legal and media advocacy. Rahaf Al Obaidat of Jordan’s Darbna Network said the initiative has expanded her perspective on gender equality, helping her view it as part of “a larger human struggle beyond national borders.”
Concluding the meeting, Naglaa Sarhan, Legal Adviser at Equality Now and Coordinator of the Hurra Coalition, said the alliance’s strength lies in its unity and shared purpose.
“Our diversity gives us power. Together, we are determined to reform family laws across the region to reflect equality and justice for all women and girls,” she said.
