The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on the Federal Government to reform Nigerian marriage laws to permit married women to retain their fathers’ names.
In a statement issued on Monday, Prof Ishaq Akintola, the executive director of MURIC, criticized the existing practice that mandates married women to adopt their husbands’ surnames, deeming it gender discriminatory, archaic, and oppressive.
Akintola expressed concern over the current system, asserting that it denies women their fundamental human right to personal and parental identity in marriage.
He advocated for the adoption of a more inclusive and women-friendly Islamic practice, which allows married women to maintain their fathers’ surnames even after marriage.
The call for reform emphasizes the need to address gender disparities embedded in existing marriage laws, aiming to provide women with the autonomy to choose and preserve their familial identities.
MURIC’s proposal aligns with principles that recognize and uphold fundamental human rights, fostering a more equitable and inclusive legal framework.
As discussions around marriage laws continue, the advocacy for reform seeks to bring about positive changes in support of women’s rights and empowerment within the context of marital relationships.
