Social Work Chronicle

Amira Wali ¹, Shazia Manzoor ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, IN
2 Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir, IN

Abstract

The rights-based advocacy method has been used in multiple settings in India, whether it is the basic educational rights of children or the accessibility rights of physically handicapped people. As we embark on a rights-based approach in social work, in multicultural societies, we need to ensure that the social work strategies are context specific. Religion is a very important social institution that binds communities and disciplines people. The Indian Constitution has part III detailing the Fundamental Rights of a citizen and Article 51A that talks of fundamental duties. Likewise, the religion Islam also has certain sanctions for women, in particular, to their rights and certain duties/obligations towards the Almighty and their husband and children. This paper details the rights of women within the realm of marriage from an Islamic perspective; in terms of issues related to their maintenance, treatment and inheritance that are common causes of marital disharmony. These religious sanctions could be used as a strong reference point in advocating for women’s rights. Since marriage holds a sanctioned place in religion as well as society, a collaborative approach in social work can be adopted to address the denial of women’s rights. The paper is particularly relevant in the context of women in Kashmir as it is a Muslim majority state. Religion-based rights’ advocacy can be developed as a viable paradigm for social work practice towards restoring the harmony in marital relations.

Keywords

Religious Rights, Muslim Women, Social Work Practice, Rights-based Advocacy, Marital Discord.

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