Women calls for amend outdated family laws

10th November 2016 witnessed the gathering of christian women to contemplate and consider amending the grounds for the dissolution of marriage in Christian Divorce Act 1869 hosted by Shunila Ruth, Synodical Church of Pakistan at Qadir Bakhsh Hall, Raiwind Diocese Lahore.

Representatives from Raiwind Diocese, Lahore Diocese, Salvation Army, CLAAS, Talitha Kumi Welfare Society and other concerned women had a detailed discussion with diverse perspectives sharing on the contextual realities of Christian couples in relation to the implications faced by the current Christian Divorce Act 1869.

Given the lived experiences and painful stories shared by many participants of Christian couples, who are resorting to unlawful and heinous practices in order to dissolve their marriages in the present scenario, because the existing law on Christian Divorce does not allow any ground other than adultery to seek dissolution of marriage. There was a shared opinion among the participants that both men and women be given respectable grounds to pursue dissolution of marriages in the court of personal laws of minorities.

In the end, there was a unanimous resolution among the attendees to;

1. Affirm/endorse all the amendments in Christian Marriage Act. 1872 & Christian Divorce Act 1869 proposed by the Working Committee convened by the Rt. Rev. Leo Paul.

2. Recommend to insert the following clause into the section 10 of the Christian Divorce Act 1869:

“That there has been an irretrievable breakdown of marriage between the two spouses and it would be inflicting tyranny on both or either of the spouse by carry forth the marital tie, and the court has satisfied itself about such state after conduction a thorough inquiry to that effect.”

(Note: add the explanation/definition of the word “irretrievable damage” in order to add clarity.)

1. Amend the Christian marriage Act 1972 to permits divorcees to remarry.

In addition to endorsing the amendments we strongly believe that to strengthen the sanctity of Christian marriages and minimizing the incidences of divorce, the significance of making informed marriage decisions and nurturance of respectful spousal relations free from all kinds of violence and oppression should be promoted among Christians in Pakistan through marriage counseling & guidance.