Gaza court revises women’s travel restrictions after backlash
Outrage erupted in the Gaza Strip after a judge issued a ruling banning unmarried women from traveling without the consent of a male guardian, yet a revised ruling doesn't go far enough, activists say.
GAZA CITY — A Hamas-backed court in Gaza has backtracked on its decision requiring women to get permission from a male “guardian” to travel abroad after widespread criticism, yet rights advocates say the changes do not go far enough.
On Feb. 10, the head of the Sharia Supreme Judicial Council in the Gaza Strip, Hassan al-Jojo, issued a ruling banning women from traveling outside of Gaza without the consent of a male guardian.
Yet after pressure from international institutions and human rights groups, alongside protests held in front of Jojo’s office in the Gaza Strip, Jojo issued an amended ruling Feb. 21.
According to the amended decision, a male guardian may submit a claim to the judicial authorities if he feels “grave harm” will be done should the woman under his tutelage travel outside the country. The decision to allow the woman to travel or not will be determined by the competent judge, according to the amendments.
