Cultural And Religious Influences On Women’s Inheritance Rights: A Comparative Study Of Libya And Malaysia

Abstract

This study examines the influence of cultural norms, religious practices, and legal reforms on women’s inheritance rights in Libya and Malaysia. Utilising a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a survey of 40 women (20 from each country) with semi-structured interviews with 25 women (12 from Libya and 13 from Malaysia). The findings reveal that despite legal reforms aimed at ensuring gender equality in inheritance, cultural and religious barriers significantly limit women’s ability to claim their rightful inheritance in both countries. In Libya, 85% of the women reported that Islamic law and patriarchal customs heavily influenced inheritance practices, while in Malaysia, 70% of Muslim women experienced cultural norms overriding statutory provisions. Only 25% of women in both countries knew of their full legal inheritance rights, with 60% indicating that family pressures discouraged them from pursuing legal claims. The study suggests that stronger enforcement and more focused awareness campaigns are essential to turn these legal reforms into tangible improvements for women's inheritance rights.