About the Campaign
Equal and Free Ltd is a not-for-profit company which supports the work of Baroness Cox in championing the rights of British Women who do not (yet) have the protection of legal marriage.
Supporters
Marriages that are not marriages
In the UK today, there are thousands of women in Sharia-compliant marriages – who have had a religious wedding ceremony but without legal consequences. Many of these women only discover their lack of official marital status when their relationship breaks down. They have no legal rights against their ‘husband’ and have no option of obtaining a civil divorce.
Their suffering is sometimes compounded by barriers from within their own communities. According to the independent review into the application of Sharia law in England and Wales, ‘some sharia councils are deemed to be discriminating against women who use their services on matters of marriage and divorce.’ But this is not merely a ‘social issue’, as the Government claim. It is also a legal issue that requires an urgent legislative response.
Equal and Free seeks to raise concerns
Equal and Free is committed to improving Muslim women’s access to marital rights and benefits. We support calls to simplify weddings law and to guarantee legal protection for one of this country’s most marginalised, excluded and discriminated-against groups.
Equal and Free Limited is a not for profit company registered in England, of which Baroness Cox is a Director. Company number 08143808.