By Samuel Gillis
In a groundbreaking decision, the High Court of Guyana has paved the way for ex-husbands to claim maintenance following divorce proceedings.
For decades, only women were eligible to seek maintenance or spousal support post-divorce in Guyana.
However, this status quo has been overturned by a landmark ruling by Acting Chief Justice Roxane George.
Attorney Tamara Evelyn-Khan, who spearheaded the legal application behind this transformative decision, shed light on the rigorous process involved in challenging existing norms.
She emphasized the importance of extensive research spanning constitutional frameworks and legal precedents from various jurisdictions to advocate for gender-neutral maintenance laws.
Evelyn-Khan, boasting over a decade of legal expertise, highlighted the significance of the ruling in ensuring equal protection for all citizens in the dissolution of marriage.
She underscored that the concept of equality before the law, enshrined in the constitution, should extend to maintenance rights, enabling individuals of any gender to seek alimony post-divorce.
The attorney noted that while legal frameworks evolve in response to societal needs, pivotal moments like this ruling offer opportunities to scrutinize and address outdated statutes.
This ruling marks a significant step towards gender equality in the legal domain, affirming the principle that maintenance rights should be accessible to all individuals regardless of gender.