Hyderabad: The increase in neglecting cases posting Muslim women (protection of the right to marriage), 2019, has encouraged women into the acute financial crisis.
Without legal protection, many of these lonely brides are found to beg for their husbands for monthly allowances; usually to raise their children.
While some lucky had the amount of maintenance – between Rs 5,000 and 15,000 a month, many others were still fighting against the battle, said social activists.
Fatima *, for example, hasn’t received a rupee since her 12-year-old husband left him about two years ago.
Husband has a good job paying in Saudi Arabia.
“I work as domestic aid, but the money is not enough.
My child has now taken a job at a clothing store.
If it’s not for me, he must provide for his children,” said the mother of four.
Children’s wedding victims – he married at the age of 17 – Fouzia * had to go through years of physical harassment before his husband approved the monthly maintenance of Rs 15,000 for a five family.
“But he (Salesman in the showroom) has threatened to pull it if I find another man.
He lives with his first wife and strictly instructs me to use money for children,” he said.
Emphasizing the level of this problem, members of the Association of Resources and Welfare Women Shaheen, Sultan Shahi said they were flooded with cases of women who struggled for maintenance – many of them with more than two children.
They claimed the 2019 action failed to overcome this problem.
“Most men are not afraid of law.
They really deny pocket money or just pay Rs 2,000 or Rs 3,000 and walk away.
Some even stop it after a few months.
There is nothing that women can do, considering the law does not protect the woman left behind, “A volunteer said.
Lonely, Muslim Women in Hyd Struggle for Benefits
