Notes: Public Consultation toward Ethiopia’s Family Law Reform and the Revised Code’s Response

Abstract

This note provides the historical context and background of the reform initiative of Ethiopian family law (in 1998-2000) and the outcome thereof. The note identifies the issues that were subject of discourse and shows how the current law has addressed them.  It provides brief analysis of the main issues raised by the public, the views of the main stakeholders about the existing law, the way in which public consultation forums were organized, and the roles played by different sections of the society in advancing the respective values which they believe must be incorporated in the new family law. The note lists down specific questions and the arguments raised by the public as to why the new family law should or should not be framed in a particular way, and it also shows the ultimate option adopted by the legislature in the final enacted version of the law. The core issues discussed in the note, inter alia, include the pros and cons of having a uniform family law, the various forms and impediments to marriage, the desirability of maintaining irregular union in the new Code, betrothal, the institution of family arbitration and grounds of divorce. 

Key terms: Family law reform, Revised Family Code, Public Consultation, Ethiopia