Egypt already may need to revisit women's inheritance law
The recently passed amendment to Egypt's Constitution regarding women's inheritance rights was hailed as a long-awaited breakthrough, but the topic might need additional legislation to ensure full equality for women, including Copts.
CAIRO — When Egypt amended its constitution recently to establish penalties for depriving women of their inheritances, the amendment failed to specifically mention Christian women. Some observers think a direct reference is unnecessary, while others say such a legal measure is needed to counter deep-set traditions.
Many Coptic women, especially in rural areas and Upper Egypt, fall victim to the interpretation of customs and cultural norms as "law," and some people apply Sharia provisions to Coptic women.
For many years, Egyptian women's associations have been calling for a law making it a crime to deprive women of their inheritances. On Dec. 5, Egypt's parliament approved the amendment.
Christian inheritance provisions don't differentiate between men and women. Egyptian inheritance law, however, is based on Islamic law.
