Women’s rights have been something that we have all been fighting for, for a long long time and we still have a long way to go. This is why it’s essential to celebrate every single milestone. Having said that, the rights of Muslim women need a lot more attention and push than anything else. 1 August is celebrated as Muslim Women Rights Day but do you know why? Well, here’s everything you need to know about Muslim Women Rights Day, its history and its significance.
Why Is Muslim Women Rights Day Celebrated?
On 1 August 2019, the law against Triple Talaq came into effect making it a day of great importance for the women of the Muslim community. The enactment of this law liberated women from the Muslim community from the atrocities committed against them due to Triple Talaq.
Muslim Women Rights Day is observed on August 1 across the nation. The day marks the enactment of the law against Triple Talaq, which came into effect on August 1, 2019. While commemorating the second anniversary of the law, the Ministry of Minority Affairs last year declared that August 1 will be observed as Muslim Women Rights Day. And therefore, it was in 2021 that Muslim Women Rights Day was celebrated for the first time. This law made Triple Talaq a criminal offence. Before this law came into force, Muslim men could divorce their wives simply by saying “talaq” 3 times without taking the consent of the wife into consideration.
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In 2020, the government of India declare 1 August as Muslim Women Rights Day. The first Muslim Women Rights Day was celebrated on 1 August 2020. While declaring the day, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was quoted by the media saying that the Muslim women across India have “overwhelmingly welcomed the law”. In 2021, several organisations across the country celebrated this day and even Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, Labout Minister Bhupender Yadav and Naqvi were a part of a celebration in Delhi where they interacted with many Muslim women.
All You Need To Know About Triple Talaq And Muslim Women Rights Day
Also known as Talaq-e-Biddat, Triple Talaq is a form of divorce practised in Islam where a man could divorce his wife by pronouncing Talaq 3 times consecutively. The man did not need to cite any reason for the divorce and the wife did not even need to be present at the time. The law against Triple Talaq classifies it as a criminal offence and prohibits the habit. This law mandates that Muslim couples get divorced as per the Indian Penal Code and not as per the Sharia law. This law was aimed at protecting women against atrocities and encouraging them to stand up against oppression. The law also states that any man who gives his wife triple talaq will be jailed for up to 3 years and will also have to pay a fine. This year marks the second anniversary of Muslim Women Rights Day in our Country.