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A Socio-Historical And Political Discourse On The Rights Of Muslim Women: Concerns For Women’S Rights Or Community Identity: (Special Reference To 1937 And 1939 Acts), Sabiha Hussain

Journal of International Women's Studies

The present paper deals with the discourse of the rights of Muslim women in the pre- independence period with particular reference to the Shariat Act 1937 and the Muslim Marriage Dissolution Act 1939 and the socio- historical and political background in the enactment of these Acts. The role of women’s organizations and the women’s movement, community leaders and political parties has been taken into account in dealing with the discourse. Whether the discourse was more to show political strength of the Muslim community or to protect the rights of women? Why was a need for these enactments felt by women’s …