Diagnostic Study of Nikanama in Punjab: A Review of Women's Marriage Rights

This independent research was prepared by the Centre for Human Rights and Musawi Private Limited with support from the National Commission for Human Rights and the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative. This report seeks to assess the present status of women’s marriage rights in Punjab, particularly rights provided for in the nikkahnama. The findings of the legislative gap analysis form the diagnostic review of select nikkahnamas from two pilot districts, to identify practices that protect and/or infringe women’s marriage rights in Punjab. The diagnostic analysis of nikkahnamas was conducted on a sample of 1,150 nikkahnamas, with a total of 105 KAP surveys conducted with Nikkah Registrars and 13 one-on-one interviews with Union Council officials. The study aimed to holistically understand gaps that impact the effective implementation of women’s marriage rights in Punjab.

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Author: Sevim Saadat
Principal researcher: Rehan Safder & Ali Imtinan