As part of its Diaspora Dialogues series, the Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF) hosted public discussion on Tuesday, April 30, 2025, via X Spaces. The event centered around the policy paper titled “Personal Status Laws in Egypt and the Legislative Struggle,” authored by feminist researcher and human rights defender Nada Nashat. The session attracted 77 attendees, including activists, legal scholars, and members of the Egyptian diaspora.
The paper offers a feminist critique of the legal foundations that institutionalize gender discrimination in Egypt’s personal status laws. It explores the interconnected legal frameworks—religious, civil, and penal—that reinforce inequality, particularly in matters of divorce, custody, guardianship, and obedience. The event also examined how decades of civil society advocacy have sought to reform these discriminatory laws in line with Egypt’s constitutional obligations and international conventions.
Participants engaged in a rich discussion on possible pathways toward a legislative framework that ensures equality and justice within the family, reflecting the broader aspirations for social transformation and women’s rights in Egypt.
