Abu Dhabi: In a significant step towards women’s empowerment, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has amended its personal status laws, allowing women to marry without the approval of a male guardian.
The reform is part of the UAE’s ongoing legal modernization efforts to align with global human rights standards and provide greater personal freedoms to its citizens and residents. Previously, women in the UAE needed consent from a male guardian, such as a father or brother, to enter into marriage.
The updated law grants women full autonomy in marriage decisions, marking a major shift in the country’s legal and cultural landscape. The reform aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of fostering gender equality and ensuring women’s rights are safeguarded.
The changes come amid a series of progressive legal reforms in the UAE, including updates to divorce, inheritance, and cohabitation laws, reflecting the nation’s push towards modernization.
The move has been widely welcomed by human rights advocates, who view it as a positive step in promoting gender equality and personal freedoms in the region.
