Khaberni - A widespread controversy is observed within the different institutions of the Egyptian society regarding the anticipated amendments to the personal status law, as many welcomed them amidst notable enthusiasm, considering them to address "flaws and loopholes that have persisted for many years in the old law," while some have expressed reservations about certain articles.
The government had previously submitted the amendments to the Parliament, but they were not adopted due to a number of societal observations, and they were sent back to the government for reconsideration before being presented again.
The issue of "arranging child custody" in the event of parental separation stands out as one of the most controversial points. The new proposal stipulates moving the father to the second rank in the custody order, right after the mother, whereas he was ranked 16th in the current law.
This amendment was welcomed by those advocating for fathers' rights, while it raised concerns among some women's movements about the child's fate in cases of severe conflict.
The article on "custody age" shows a sharp divergence in opinions, as while some insist on keeping this age at 15 years with the option for the adolescent to choose thereafter, other campaigns demand reducing it to 7 years for boys and 9 years for girls, arguing that extending motherly custody weakens the child's relationship with their father.
The amendments introduced an article called "hosting" to replace the limited "visitation," where it grants the non-custodial parent the right to host the child for several hours weekly (between 8 and 12 hours) or specific days during the annual holidays, seen by some as a human right for the child and the parents, while mothers fear the possibility of "child abduction" or not returning them.
In the context of marriage and divorce, the article on "documenting oral divorce" is one of the most controversial, requiring the divorce to be officially documented within 15 days of its occurrence to arrange its legal effects, with criminal penalties imposed on violators.
Controversy also arose about a proposal related to the "Egyptian Family Support Fund," which requires a financial fee to be paid by those about to marry and aims to secure expenses for the wife and children during judicial disputes, raising fears about the increased financial costs of marriage.
Regarding the "list of marital belongings", the amendments clarified that it belongs solely to the wife and she has no right to relinquish it even in cases of consensual divorce or injury, which some considered a restriction on the man and an imposition of additional financial pressures.
Concerning the personal status law for Christian citizens, new grounds for divorce were introduced, such as divorce due to abandonment for 3 years, atheism, or "adultery" which was broadened to include love messages and calls as evidence of infidelity.
