The new headquarters of Egypt’s Parliament in the New Administrative Capital
The session follows directives from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to submit long-delayed family law drafts to parliament and fast-track their review, as public debate over personal status legislation intensifies in Egypt.
No extraordinary session has been scheduled so far to debate the family-related bills, MP Amr Fahmy said in published statements, adding that discussions are expected to proceed during the regular sitting alongside other priority legislative files.
The proposed amendments aim to overhaul core aspects of personal status law, including alimony, custody, and divorce procedures, as part of broader efforts to address gaps in the current system.
The draft introduces a minimum monthly alimony of EGP 10,000, payable directly without litigation, while granting judges discretion to increase the amount based on individual circumstances.
On custody, the bill maintains the mother as the primary guardian but allows immediate transfer to the father if her rights lapse, and sets a minimum custody age of nine for both boys and girls, with courts retaining the authority to extend it in the child’s best interest.
It also mandates that amicable divorce cases be formalized through documented agreements outlining rights and obligations, in a bid to reduce future disputes.
The amendments replace the current visitation system with a hosting arrangement, allowing the non-custodial parent to spend time with the child at least twice a month on weekends, a move aimed at strengthening family ties and supporting children’s psychological well-being.
Under the proposals, custody would no longer be automatically revoked if the custodial parent remarries, leaving such decisions to the court's discretion based on the child’s welfare. The draft also allows a wife to seek up to one-third of her husband’s wealth through the courts if his financial capacity is established.
El-Sisi’s directive came a day after a young woman died in Alexandria after jumping from a residential building during a live broadcast on social media, which has drawn widespread attention and renewed calls for reform.
Local media reports said she had been facing ongoing disputes with her former husband, including legal and financial pressures, though authorities have not released full details.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of Egypt’s personal status framework, with critics arguing that gaps and delays in the current legal system can exacerbate post-divorce conflicts and leave vulnerable individuals without adequate protection or financial support.
Egypt has been working for years on amendments to personal status legislation, which governs family matters under a dual system based on religious affiliation.
The drafts were prepared in consultation with Al-Azhar, the Coptic Orthodox Church, and legal experts, but efforts to finalize them have been delayed amid disagreements over key provisions, particularly regarding divorce procedures and parental rights.
Submitting the drafts to parliament marks the next step toward formal debate and potential passage, as authorities seek to modernize the legal framework governing family relations and ease pressure on the court system.
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