In almost all countries in the region, family relations, including marital relations, are still regulated, directly or indirectly, by customary and/or religious law. These two systems reveal a kind of tolerance of discrimination against women and even violence against them.
Marital rape is not criminalized. Except in Tunisia, polygamy is allowed (sometimes restricted to wife approval, like in Algeria or in Morocco).
In Egypt, domestic violence is punishable if battery exceeds the limits of “discipline”, while in Palestine it is not considered an offense. In all reviewed countries, women’s share in inheritance is less than men’s share.
These are still legal barriers to provision of equal protection of women and men in marriage and divorce.
Countries