This book provides insights into the labyrinth of family laws existing in South Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, through the prism of women, and religious, sexual and gender minorities. It addresses the normative legal standards currently in existence, jurisprudence that is continuously created by courts of law, and juxtaposes the same with lived experiences. What sets South Asia apart from the rest of the world is its potpourri of cultures, religions, customary practices and laws that are influenced by the same - particularly those that govern marriage, intimate relationships and rights within the same. However, this book engages closely with the implications and consequences of this socio-legal context, efforts and strategies employed by ground level social movements to usher in gender just family law reforms, the challenges posed and the potential that exists on this issue for transnational feminist solidarity and alliances in South Asia. Though it is a book primarily about family laws, the contents are discernible and accessible for readers over and above law professionals and law researchers. In short, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in, or is curious about, plural family laws that concurrently operate in South Asian countries, and concerned about their ramifications for people living in the margins, particularly women, and religious, sexual and gender minorities.
