Civil marriage draft law for Palestinian women

Palestinian activist Nahed Abu To'eima Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas transferred the draft law on civil marriage to Legal Counsel Committee. Secretary of the Palestinian Bar Association Imad Awad said to Arabstoday that "the draft law submitted by feminist associations to President Mahmoud Abbas in order to allow civil marriages in Palestine was referred today to an ad-hoc committee.”
Awad added that the commission will hold a press conference to clarify the draft law project, which aims to achieve equality between husband and wife.
The Palestinian activist Nahed Abu To'eima told Arabstoday that this law would support Palestinian women’s rights against societal injustice in traditions, adding that women have a right to get a civil marriage in order to maintain and protect their rights. She said that "if this law is adopted it will be a great victory for the Palestinian women.”
In the same context, the President of the Supreme Court said to Arabstoday that "the divorce rate in Palestine is close to 20% and this percentage is low compared to neighbouring countries.
“I do not encourage civil marriage in Palestine as many people would take advantage of it, but I respect all opinions and ideas.”