Waqf Amendment Bill 2025: New Provisions Aim to Empower Muslim Women in Inheritance and Governance:

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in the Lok Sabha after a 12-hour-long debate in the early hours of Thursday. Among various changes, the bill includes progressive reforms to support Muslim women, both financially and administratively, while enhancing governance and transparency in Waqf management.

Key Provisions for Muslim Women Under the Bill

1. Protection of Inheritance Rights in Family Waqf (Waqf-alal-aulad):
The bill prohibits the dedication of property to Waqf unless women heirs have first received their rightful inheritance. This prevents families from bypassing inheritance laws to deny Muslim women their share in property.

2. Financial Aid for Widows, Divorced Women, and Orphans:
Section 3(r)(iv) allows Waqf funds to be used for the welfare and maintenance of financially vulnerable women, offering critical support to widows and orphans.

3. Mandatory Women Representation in Governance:
The bill mandates the inclusion of two Muslim women in each State Waqf Board (Section 14) and the Central Waqf Council (Section 9). This move brings women’s voices to the forefront in decisions involving Waqf resource allocation, including scholarships, healthcare, legal aid, and skills development.

4. Vocational Training Centres and Self-Help Groups:
New centres will be set up to offer training in healthcare, fashion, and business, aimed at empowering Muslim women to pursue careers or entrepreneurship.

5. Digitisation of Waqf Records:
To curb misuse and improve accountability, the bill proposes complete digitisation of Waqf properties and financial records, ensuring that welfare funds are properly tracked and allocated.

Government’s Stand: Inclusive and Secular Reforms

Defending the bill in Parliament, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the amendments aim to make Waqf Boards more inclusive and secular. He emphasized that the reforms go beyond gender inclusion, also providing for non-Muslim experts to join the Central Waqf Council.

“At present, there are no women in the Waqf Board. Under the new amendment, Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agha Khanis, backward Muslims, women, and non-Muslim experts will all be represented,” Rijiju told the Lok Sabha.