Egypt proposes new family law to regulate marriage and divorce

The Egyptian Cabinet has referred a new family law draft to the House of Representatives following its approval. The proposed legislation aims to regulate rights and obligations between spouses, covering marriage, divorce, and personal status issues. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has emphasized the need to expedite laws protecting the family through comprehensive community dialogue.

Key features of the draft include the ability for spouses to include specific agreements in an annex to the marriage contract. These provisions could cover marital housing, financial expenses, the wife’s right to work, and conditions regarding polygamy. For instance, a husband could agree not to marry a second wife without the first wife’s written permission, a clause that could carry legal weight as an enforceable document.

Legislators have also highlighted the importance of prioritizing the best interests of the child. Proposed reforms include modernizing visitation rights through electronic means when physical meetings are not possible. Additionally, there are discussions regarding the creation of a specialized department, often referred to as ‘family police,’ to accelerate the enforcement of court rulings related to alimony and child visitation.