South Asia's relatively well-established legal system allows Muslim women to exercise their rights in marriage, divorce, maintenance, custody, and inheritance under Sharīʿa and secular laws. Their ability to do so depends on their level of education, and their economic, political, and sociocultural situation. The continuation of feudal patriarchal social structures, poverty, widespread illiteracy, and cumbersome court procedures tend to work against women. The struggles over leg…
Law: Access to the Legal System: South Asia(997 words)
Cite this page
Lateef, Shahida, “Law: Access to the Legal System: South Asia”, in: Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures, General Editor Suad Joseph. Consulted online on 01 October 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1872-5309_ewic_EWICCOM_0105h>
First published online: 2009
▲ Back to top ▲