egyptian family and contemporary legislation

On Monday, June 15, 2026, the Kemet Boutros-Ghali Foundation for Peace and Knowledge held a seminar entitled “The Egyptian Family and Contemporary Legislation” at the Diplomatic Club. The event was attended by members of the Board of Trustees and the Advisory Board, headed by Mr. Mamdouh Abbas, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The speakers included Dr. Mostafa El Feki, writer, diplomat, and political thinker; Dr. Hoda Badran, former Chair of the International Committee for Children's Rights at the United Nations; and Dr. Emad Abu Ghazi, former Minister of Culture. The seminar was moderated by Ambassador Laila Bahaa El Din, Executive Director of the Kemet Boutros-Ghali Foundation for Peace and Knowledge.

The seminar was also attended by numerous political, media, cultural, and parliamentary figures, including Dr. Saad El Din El Hilaly, Professor of Comparative Jurisprudence at the Faculty of Sharia and Law at Al-Azhar University; Dr. Hossam Badrawi, former member of the Egyptian Shura Council; Counselor Monsef Soliman, former Deputy President of the State Council and former Member of Parliament; Ms. Amira Saber, current Member of Parliament; Mr. Sameh Shoukry; Mr. Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour; Dr. Ali El Din Hilal; and Minister Mohamed El Orabi.

In his remarks, Mr. Mamdouh Abbas emphasized the importance of the new Personal Status Law bill recently submitted by the government to the Egyptian Parliament. The bill addresses issues such as child custody, visitation and hosting rights, financial support, educational guardianship, divorce, khulʿ (no-fault divorce initiated by the wife), and other important matters affecting Egyptian families. These are all complex and multifaceted issues involving social customs and traditions, religious principles, and legal and constitutional provisions.

At the conclusion of the seminar, the Personal Status Law bill emerged as one of the central issues at the intersection of efforts to modernize the legal system and reduce family disputes on the one hand, and the complexities of social and economic realities on the other. While the proposed amendments seek to achieve greater justice and balance among family members, they also raise important questions regarding the preservation of family stability and the nature of social relationships within the community.

Participants emphasized the importance of ensuring that the new law takes into account the economic and social changes affecting Egyptian families, thereby guaranteeing that legal provisions remain realistic and enforceable without compromising the fundamental rights of children. They also stressed the need for a modern and balanced law that responds to contemporary challenges, provides legal protection for all family members, and strengthens family stability and cohesion as the fundamental pillar of society.