Dr. Hassan al-Jojo, Head of the Supreme Council of Sharia Judiciary in Gaza, affirmed his agreement and support for raising the age of maternal custody of children to 15 years. Subsequently, the judge would allow the children to choose with whom they wish to reside (father or mother), in accordance with the child’s best interest.

Similarly, Mr. Mithqal Ajjour, Advisor to the Legal Committee of the Change and Reform Bloc in the Legislative Council, stated on behalf of the Head of the Legal Committee, Deputy Faraj al-Ghoul, that “the Legislative Council is concerned with the issue of raising the custody age, and the Legal Committee has promised to study the proposal. The Legislative Council, wherever there is societal interest, does not oppose any amendment that would achieve that interest.”

This came during a meeting held yesterday, Tuesday, by The Center for Women’s Legal Researches, Counselling and Protection (CWLRCP), attended by representatives of women’s and community organizations, a selection of Sharia lawyers (male and female), and delegates from the Ministry of Social Development. This meeting is a continuation of the center’s efforts to work on a campaign to raise the age of child custody to 18 years.

Ms. Zeinab al-Ghunaimi, Director of the Center, indicated that this meeting is part of the campaign to raise the age of child custody implemented by the Center, entitled “Yes, my mother is divorced, and I want to stay in her care until I am 18 years old,” with the aim of implementing the proposals contained in the memorandum submitted to the Supreme Judicial Council and the Legal Committee in the Change and Reform Bloc in the Legislative Council. This is to help divorced and separated mothers keep custody of their sons and daughters until the age of 18, similar to widowed mothers, in order to guarantee the safety and best interest of the children.

Furthermore, Dr. Hassan al-Jojo’s emphasis on the importance of raising the custody age to 15 years is consistent with what is stated in Article (173) of the Jordanian Law of 2010 and the Jordanian Law in force in the West Bank, considering this an embodiment of rights, especially the right of the minor, considering that the ward has a right that takes precedence over all rights, pointing to the importance of the role of institutions and their efforts in the success of this campaign.

Several recommendations were issued by unanimous consensus of the attendees regarding providing housing for the custodial mother, the role of the Ministry of Social Development in supervising the protection of children, and the role of the Ministry of Housing in providing housing for custodial mothers.