Egyptian MP Sanaa Saeed, a member of the National Council for Women, spoke on Monday about new measures to address those who refuse to pay alimony.
She noted that the Public Prosecutor issued a decision to place anyone evading alimony payments on watch lists, in addition to the Justice Ministry activating a decision to suspend government services for them.
Saeed explained that these services include obtaining ID cards, licenses, and electricity and water services, as a means of pressure to ensure that rights are delivered to their rightful owners.
During an interview with Al-Hayat TV, Saeed explained that these steps come in light of the family conflicts that President Sisi has repeatedly highlighted.
Looking out for children’s interests
She called for a new and balanced family law that provides a safe exit in cases of irreconcilable differences, ensuring the best interests of the children first and foremost.
This harsh reality as reflected in problems within the courts alongside the increasing number of suicides, and the portrayal of these issues in dramas, is the true impetus behind the demand to amend current legislation, she explained.
She noted that President Sisi has tasked Justice Ministry with preparing a balanced law for the Egyptian family.
Saeed also mentioned numerous consultations and hearings that have taken place, involving the National Council for Women, women’s organizations, and parents, to arrive at a legislative framework that achieves the necessary balance.
She affirmed that the upcoming legislation will be a governing law that guarantees everyone’s rights and ensures stability for children, free from conflict.
These recent decisions aim to exert pressure to counter ongoing attempts to evade alimony and other financial obligations, or disputes over marital housing, she explained.
The ultimate goal, she emphasized, is not to prioritize one side of a martial dispute but to prevent psychological harm to children.
