“While mutual divorce agreements between Muslim men and women and unilateral divorce by Muslim men can be concluded swiftly, Muslim women who initiate a ‘fasakh’ divorce continue to endure a long and arduous process for approval in the shariah court,” the NGO said.

“Despite being entitled to file for ancillary matters, Muslim women often do not pursue these rights due to the exhaustive demands of the divorce process.

“The existing shariah legal system does not facilitate women in claiming their rights but instead forces them to forego these rights.”

SIS said it had presented submissions to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw) committee last week.

“There is a dire need for comprehensive data collection by the government and robust legal procedures to secure women’s financial rights and child maintenance in the shariah court,” its executive director, Rozana Isa, said.

“There must be immediate, tangible actions to protect women’s rights and end discrimination,” she said.

She called on the government to establish clear guidelines to safeguard women’s autonomy and ensure fair decision-making in family matters, while creating a uniform legal landscape by standardising shariah law across all states.

“There must be equitable law enforcement in the shariah court, ensuring women receive fair and equal treatment.

“(The government must also) streamline divorce processes to alleviate the burden on women seeking separation. With unwavering political will and structural reforms, change is possible,” she said.