A shocking 82% of couples file for divorce within their first year of marriage, before the honeymoon period has even had chance to fade. Moreover, the freedom of speech that came with the end of Ben Ali's dictatorship allowed people in favour of such practices to openly say so. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. According to a recent report by Tunisias National Office for Family and Population, the country has one of the highest number of single women in the Arab world. In front of his wife and children, he asserts that he has the right to do so in the name of Sharia, the Islamic law, which he says is "above all other laws". Activist Mohammed Nur Musa described the demonstration as a "Satanic idea" which "aims to mobilize supporters of the regime and its partners to distort the Islamic Ennahda movement". Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim nations that has legally banned polygamy. Adel Elmi, head of the Tunisian Moderate Association for Awareness and Reform, formerly known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, said in a Wednesday radio statement that marriage laws ought to be modified. This Tunisia-related article is a stub. Foreigners wishing to engage in gainful employment require a residence permit (visa and residence permit). This document has abolished polygamy and repudiation, enabled women to ask for divorce, enacted a minimum age for marriage and ordered the consent of both spouses before marriage. Tunis (AFP) - A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice . Al-Zghal has stressed in previous press statements that the women will participate in the demonstration to express their anger at the failure of Tunisia to allow polygamy. The gift link for this subscriber-only article has expired. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. In general, the provisions (legislation) relating to family law in modern Muslim countries are linked to polygamous rules, something that can be classified into three. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Secrets and Wives: The Hidden World of Mormon Polygamy at the best online prices at eBay! France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines, In one episode of the series, the main character declares to his wife and children that he has the right to marry a second woman under Islamic law, Polygamy was outlawed in Tunisia's family code, passed in 1956 just five months after independence from France, Rights groups say polygamy and customary marriage are "forms of violence against women" and that discussing them "normalises a culture of impunity". Intimate in-person access to policy and business VIPs. The strongly secular Free Destourian Party (PDL) founded by one-time members of Ben Ali's ruling party has been one of the loudest voices against "Baraa", saying that "putting these questions back on the table is out of the question" and an affront to women's dignity. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. After the rise of Islamist movements following the fall of the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, according to the expert, "religious marriage has spread in academic circles", especially among students who resort to it to live as a couple with religious validation. "It's not the role of drama to present a positive image of society. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. About 200 people rallied outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday evening in support of two young political activists now on the 42nd day of a hunger strike. Polygamy is a taboo issue in Tunisia and a crime punishable by law, under Article 18 of the Personal Status Code. The freedom of expression acquired after the 2011 Revolution has even encouraged some to call for the return of polygamy, including a collective of women who organised a demonstration in early 2018. "It's not the role of drama to present a positive image of society. It revealed that as of last year their numbers increased to more than 2.25 million out of a total of 4.9 million females in the country. "It is a failed plan which will not deceive the smart Tunisian people," he added. Djerbi considered calls to demonstrate against polygamy as a form of madness, a pathological phenomenon. "The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said. He added that the protest is not linked to any political entity and is not led by associations. Human rights group Aswat Nissa (Women`s Voices) said polygamy and common marriage are forms of violence against women and that their discussion normalizes a culture of impunity. A number of activists believe the call for polygamy was motivated by political parties targeting the Islamic Ennahda movement and distorting its image ahead of the upcoming elections. According to statistics from the Ministry of Justice, between 2015 and 2020, 1,718 cases of orfi marriage were investigated by the country`s courts. Summary about cost of living in Tunis, Tunisia: A single person estimated monthly costs are 400$ (1,116DT) without rent. Women-led anthology series 'Roar' , tells feminist fables https://t.co/WHRlDhWjIB. [2] Read: Tunisian union calls for another nationwide strike to press wage demands. A number of activists believe the call for polygamy was motivated by political parties in order to target the Islamic Ennahda movement and distort its image before the upcoming elections. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. The Personal Status Act of 1956 allows women to freely and personally consent to their marriage, sets the minimum age of marriage for women over 17 years of age, requires a medical certificate before marriage and allows a woman to consent to the marriage of her children if they are minors. Italian firm gears up to restart works on Total's Mozambique gas project, Burkina scraps 1961 military aid pact with France, 'Like a war zone': Greek train survivors recount chaos, Bears freed from illegal bile farm in Vietnam. Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code. The news was announced by President of the Forum of Freedom and Citizenship, Fathi Al-Zghal, who confirmed that "the demonstration is spontaneous and comes within the framework of advocacy to solve the problem of spinsterhood in the country". Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. "In Tunisia, some people are in favour of concubinage and others approve of customary marriage," adds Foued Ghorbali, for whom this controversy reflects "an ideological conflict between conservatives and those who present themselves as progressives. The Islamic revolution calls for multiple wives, Published September 1st, 2012 - 10:04 GMT. The strongly secular Free Destourian Party (PDL) founded by one-time members of Ben Ali's ruling party has been one of the loudest voices against "Baraa", saying that "putting these questions back on the table is out of the question" and an affront to women's dignity. The Tunisian Ramadan TV series Baraa has sparked a backlash on social media. The report revealed that the number of single women has increased to more than 2.25 million, out of a total of 4.9 million females in the country. This makes Tunisia the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to remove legal barriers to marriage outside the official religion of the state. A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago. The author describes the obstacles to the effective practice of this civil law and to the building of democracy in the family. For example, the first wife has to approve before her husband is allowed to remarry, he said. Tunis (AFP) A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago. In most West African countries, polygamy is also recognised and regulated by the civil law that allows a man to marry up to four women under certain conditions, including the financial capacity to support multiple wives and families. Tunisia's 2011 revolt, which overthrew Bourguiba's successor Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, brought in a parliamentary system ideologically divided between secularists and Islamist-leaning parties such as Ennahdha. This has increased from only 990,000 in 1994, with spinsterhood the highest among females age 25-34. Lawyer and rights activist Radia al-Nasrawi alleged that a prominent member of the Islamic al-Nahda Party, whose name she refused to disclose, was already married to two women. See also However, sociologist Salahuddin Ben Faraj does not see polygamy as the solution to the problem. 13 Apr 2022 at 10:45. Premi ESC per annullare. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. A TV series on polygamy, broadcast during Ramadan, is sparking controversy in Tunisia, an Arab country that pioneered women`s rights, where several unions have been banned for decades. Al-Zghal stressed in previous press releases that women would participate in the protest to express anger over Tunisia`s failure to allow polygamy. Polygamy and customary marriage are "forms of violence against women" and their evocation "normalises the culture of impunity", says the organisation Aswat Nissa (Voice of Women) on its Facebook page. The conversion process can take three months or longer. A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago."Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence") has also been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians for its portrayal of customary "orfi" marriage, religious unions not sanctioned by the state.Both practices are punishable by up to a year in . A TV series on polygamy broadcast during Ramadan is causing controversy in Tunisia, a pioneering Arab country on women's rights, where multiple unions have been banned for decades. Sanctioning polygamy is a popular demand now in Tunisia, Elmi said. She claimed that it also indicates a lack of awareness among those who ask for it, adding that it will not affect the way of life of Tunisian society or the achievements of Tunisian women. . Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. The new Islamist government has pledged to preserve womens rights, but talk of Tunisian Islamist figures violating the polygamy ban has stirred controversy in the country. "Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence") has also been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians for its portrayal of customary "orfi" marriage, religious unions not sanctioned by the state. TUNIS: A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago. Sociologist Mohamed Jouili is reassuring: the series "is a work of dramatic art that does not systematically reflect Tunisian society. Inizia a scrivere il termine ricerca qua sopra e premi invio per iniziare la ricerca. "Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence . Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. Marriage may occur between: Foreign non-Muslim men and Tunisian Muslim women provided the man converts. Since independence in 1956, the Tunisian state has been involved in legislation on the status of women in the family, denying women the right to vote for members of the National Constituent Assembly. In his view, the controversy illustrates "a social hypocrisy", because "we agree to discuss these phenomena in private, among friends, but we get indignant and angry when they are mentioned in public". Polygamy in South Sudan is quite common. Rights group Aswat Nissa ("Women's Voices") said polygamy and customary marriage were "forms of violence against women" and that discussing them "normalises a culture of impunity". Its supporters, such as Archbishop Gabriel Roric of the Reformed Episcopal Church (an Anglican denomination), however, maintain polygamy is a source of "African pride," saying those who opposed it were misguided by the western world's approaches to marriage. The accomplice (i.e., the third partner in the crime) is punished with the same penalties as the guilty wife or husband. In addition, 27% of the divorcees are aged below 36 years old. Keywords: Dynamics, Gender, Polygamy Law, Tunisia One of phenomenon were risen in the Muslim world in the 20 th century was the existence of the family law reforms which is Copyright 2023 SPH Media Limited. Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! Read this subscriber-only article for free! Tunis is 68.82% less expensive than New York (without rent). Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali said. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. Issued on: 13/04/2022 - 04:38. A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago. "Baraa" (Arabic . 2021 Al-Monitor, LLC. Ben Faraj told Alkhaleej Online that "polygamy will open the door to the emergence of new social problems that do not exist today," pointing out that "the implementation of this idea is almost impossible in Tunisia, as polygamy had not exceeded 5 per cent since it was allowed centuries ago". "Some Tunisians support customary marriage," he said. A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago. He added however that "in my estimation, and according to my knowledge of the male gender to which I belong to, the opposite will happen because the crisis will be exacerbated by men looking for younger women, unless they accept marriage as an act of charity and kindness". The strongly secular Free Destourian Party (PDL) founded by one-time members of Ben Ali's ruling party has been one of the loudest voices against "Baraa", saying that "putting these questions back on the table is out of the question" and an affront to women's dignity. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. post-revolution initiative to cancel all laws that contradict Islamic principles. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. The practice was permitted in Islam and should be legalized if it deemed in the best interest of society, Elmi said, proposing Tunisias marriage laws be referred to courts for modification, under certain conditions. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. Thank you for subscribing our enewsletter. The PDL, a sworn enemy of Ennahdha whose dissolution it is calling for, warns against "an attack on the dignity of women if obscurantist forces are in decision-making positions". Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. Polygamy is an injustice to women, he was widely cited as saying, sparking both angry and supportive reactions in the traditional and online media. HANOI: Five moon bears have been rescued in Vietnam from an illegal bile extraction farm, in the latest effort by authorities to eradicate a practice widely condemned for its cruelty. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy remains a problem in Tunisia. Disillusionment and unhappiness in Tunisia, a decade on after the Arab Spring. The calls for a demonstration have sparked debate about the issue of polygamy, which is rejected by the majority of Tunisians but supported by a minority on the pretext of following Sharia law. More women are graduating from university. Why did the Soviet Union and the United States almost go to war in October 1962? But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian society". In early 2018, a group of women held a protest to demand the re-legalisation of polygamy. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. It abolished polygamy, prohibited repudiation and instituted judicial divorce. Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.Delivered straight to your inbox. Tunisian actors (L to R) Rim Riahi, Fethi Haddaoui, and Ahlam Fekih look on during the filming of the Tunisian television series "Baraa" (innocence) in the capital Tunis on De, By using this website, you agree with our use of cookies to improve its performance and enhance your user experience. The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. published : A TV series on polygamy broadcast during Ramadan is causing controversy in Tunisia, a pioneering Arab country on women's rights, where multiple unions have been banned for decades. In early 2018, a group of women held a protest to demand the re-legalisation of polygamy. Please send an email to [email protected] and we'll onboard your team. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. According to United Nations data from 2011, Russias divorce rate is 4.8 divorces per 1,000 residents.Divorce Rates By Country 2021. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. Moreover, the freedom of speech that came with the end of Ben Ali's dictatorship allowed people in favour of such practices to openly say so. 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