South Africa: the government questions polyandry
In South Africa, a debate has been opened around polyandry, or the fact that a woman has several husbands, a type of marriage that is still very rare in the world.
It did not take more to open a heated debate on social networks, but also within Parliament.
AFP - LUCA SOLA
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
In South Africa, when men are already authorized by law to have several wives, a debate has been opened around polyandry, that is, for a woman to have several husbands.
A type of marriage that is still very rare in the world.
The government has published a document that examines the various points of possible reform around South Africa's marriage law.
And among the options considered, to make the text as egalitarian as possible, there is the track of the recognition of polyandry.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in Johannesburg
,
Claire Bargelès
This document sets out different options for making South African marriage law more inclusive.
And one of them would be to recognize polyandry, in order to be, according to the Ministry of the Interior, as much as possible in accordance with the principle of equality recognized in the Constitution.
Heated debate
It did not take more to open a heated debate on social networks, but also within Parliament.
Members of religious parties, Christians and Muslims, criticized a practice "
not African
", and which would be a source of conflict.
The document also underlines that during consultations, it is paradoxically people in favor of polygamy who are now opposed to polyandry.
Prevent child marriage
Following these initial reactions, the Minister of the Interior regrets that this point diverts attention from the heart of the text, which aims for the law to include more the different types of cultural and religious marriages, and prevent the marriage of children.
This document is only the first step in the making of a law, and South Africans are now invited to comment on it, before a more precise text is drafted.
►
To listen: Is polygamy successful among young people?
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
South Africa
Womens rights
On the same subject
LGBT in Africa: testimonies of two people at odds with each other
Africa report
South Africa: a unique LGBT media landscape on the continent