Hamas court says women need guardian's approval to travel

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Hamas court says women need guardian’s approval to travel

By FARES AKRAM
February 15, 2021

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — A Hamas-run Islamic court in the Gaza Strip has ruled that women require the permission of a male guardian to travel, further restricting movement in and out of the territory that has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt since the militant group seized power.

The rollback in women’s rights could spark a backlash in Gaza at a time when the Palestinians plan to hold elections later this year. It could also solidify Hamas’ support among its conservative base at a time when it faces criticism over living conditions in the territory it has ruled since 2007.

The decision by the Sharia Judicial Council, issued Sunday, says an unmarried woman may not travel without the permission of her “guardian,” which would usually refer to her father or another older male relative. Permission would need to be registered at the court, but the man would not be required to accompany the woman on the trip.

The language of the ruling strongly implied that a married woman would not be able to travel without her husband’s approval.

The edict also said that a man could be prevented from traveling by his father or grandfather if it would cause “grave harm.” But the man would not need to seek prior permission, and the relative would have to file a lawsuit to prevent him from traveling.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/travel-middle-east-womens-rights-israel-gaza-strip-acc6bdb0383b43d5c13af594374ada88

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cross-posted by request

Original thread: https://www.democraticunderground.com/1134136697

[Beakybird]

1. Sick, twisted religious creeps who see women as chattel.

[niyad]

2. And The WAR ON WOMEN continues apace. Thank you so much for this disturbing and important

information.

[Irish_Dem]

3. When are women on this planet going to be free and safe?

I hope this will be the century of the woman. And at the end of it, the dream will come true.
Women will have freedom and safety everywhere on the planet.

[niyad]

4. The misogynists all over the world are lashing out, determined to hang on to their ill-begotten

destructive power. It will get uglier.

[Irish_Dem]

5. Just like white people are trying to hang onto their power over POC.

Still fighting the same issues we did in the 60's and 70's.