Discriminatory Muslim Personal Law Affecting Gender Equality in Bangladesh: A Constitutional Analysis to Ensure Gender Justice

Abstract

This essay examines how Bangladesh's Muslim personal laws discriminate against women, with a particular emphasis on how these laws affect gender justice. It examines societal norms, legal frameworks, and historical developments, highlighting important areas of concern and suggesting reform initiatives. The research highlights how crucial constitutional principles are to maintaining gender justice. The main body of the paper is a thorough constitutional analysis of the discriminatory features of Bangladesh's Muslim personal laws. Examining these laws in the context of constitutional articles guarantee of fundamental rights, equality, and nondiscrimination. This analysis looks at constitutional clauses and court rulings from Bangladesh and other countries in comparison to find areas of agreement, conflict, and possible room for reform within the current legal system. The study also investigates how gender differences in Muslim personal laws might be addressed through legislative changes and judicial interpretation. To advance gender equality and justice, it looks at significant court rulings, legislative changes and policy initiatives. Through an evaluation of these policies' effectiveness in opposing patriarchal standards and defending women's rights, this analysis aims to shed light on possible directions for both social and legal change. A summary of the study's findings and suggestions for advancing gender justice within Bangladesh's framework of Muslim personal laws are provided in the conclusion. It highlights how crucial it is to fight discriminatory practices and advance gender equality through legislative reforms, judicial activism, and public involvement. Bangladesh may work towards a more inclusive and equitable legal system that protects the rights and dignity of all of its citizens, regardless of gender, by harmonizing Muslim personal laws with the constitutional values of justice, equality, and human rights.