All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. polygamy is still an issue in . Nasrawi added that the first wife filed a lawsuit against him with the court of Nabeul in northeastern Tunisia, but no measures have been taken against him so far. Tunis, Tunisia, differentiates itself with low living costs. Data-driven analysis of latest market trends. Djerbi considered calls to demonstrate against polygamy as a form of madness, a pathological phenomenon. "It's disappointing to see these subjects being debated," said Tunisian actress Mariem Ben Hussein. Tunisia has some of the strongest womens rights laws in the Middle East. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy remains a problem in Tunisia. In practice, a polygamous union is in most cases limited to two women per couple. He added that he also calls for a revision of all articles of the personal status law a set of laws that establish women`s rights and freedoms in Tunisia and not just the article on polygamy. "The role of drama is not to give a good image of society, it exposes a point of view or social issues that can be a subject of debate," he explains. Marriage may occur between: Foreign non-Muslim men and Tunisian Muslim women provided the man converts. He added that "the protest is not linked to any political entity and is not led by any associations". Activist Mohammed Nur Musa described the protest as a satanic idea aimed at mobilizing supporters of the regime and its partners to distort the Islamic Ennahda movement. This is a failed plan that will not deceive the wise Tunisian people, he added. Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali said. 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. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. From hope to agony, what's left of the Arab Spring? 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 became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956,[1] the same year it gained official independence. Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code. These include: Tunisia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Polygamy is a taboo issue in Tunisia and a crime punishable by law, under Article 18 of the Personal Status Code. Apr 13, 2022, 11:28 AM SGT. All done! "The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said. The PDL also blames Ennahdha, politically dominant after the 2011 revolt, for a rise in "crimes" under the family code and has frequently called for its rival to be dissolved. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim countries to have banned polygamy. 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". The PDL also blames Ennahdha, politically dominant after the 2011 revolt, for a rise in "crimes" under the family code and has frequently called for its rival to be dissolved. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. 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. Free shipping for many products! Adultery is a crime punishable by law for both spouses 7. dinars. Post-independence leader Habib Bourguiba outlawed polygamy in the family code passed just five months after the country's 1956 independence from France, a piece of legislation that was nothing short of revolutionary in the Arab world at the time. yes its very possible to get married in tunisia, but rather complex, you need to go to, the City Hall Registry Office Bureau de lEtat Civil a la Municipalite you also need to follow the rules of what is required to get married in tunisia, these rules are set laws. It also changed the law so that divorce cases had to go through the courts, meaning a husband could no longer simply declare a marriage over. Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East, The Tunisian Ramadan TV series "Baraa" has been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians over the issue of polygamy, Wars, poverty fuel spike in Iraqi child labour, Swapping kabsa for kale: Saudis embrace healthy eating, Iran expert John Raine says Iranian hardliners want a military pact with Russia for the survival of the Islamic regime, Prospects for Israel, its economy and US-Israel relations: Live Q&A webinar with Haim Saban, Breakfast Briefing on the Middle East with US Senator Chris Van Hollen. 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. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. At the request of one spouse citing a specific, recognised ground. Concise, actionable scenarios and predictions from top regional experts. The 1956 Code prohibits polygamy, makes divorce available to both spouses, gives women the right to manage their own property, and recognizes and protects other family-like rights. 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. The author describes the obstacles to the effective practice of this civil law and to the building of democracy in the family. 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. Why did the Soviet Union and the United States almost go to war in October 1962? 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". 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. A common expectation for African kings in African societies is for African kings to symbolically unify his kingdom and the society through partaking in polygamous marriages with wives from a broad range of clans within the society. In early 2018, a group of women held a protest to demand the re-legalisation of polygamy. Read: Tunisia cabinet approves equal inheritance law. The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. 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". It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. For example, the first wife has to approve before her husband is allowed to remarry, he said. 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. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. 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. This includes reviewing unfair divorce procedures and abolishing the principle of adoption because it is contrary to Sharia law. (Photo by Aaref WATAD / AFP), China accuses US of flying 10 balloons over its airspace. Man with 39 wives, head of 'world's largest family', dies in India, Self-styled prophet in S'pore said to have five spiritual wives. 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. The conversion process can take three months or longer. 13 Apr 2022 at 10:45. Women in Tunisia enjoy certain freedoms and rights that are denied to women in neighboring countries, although the social norms have shifted since 2011. Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region. But in one episode, the series' main character, Wannas, declares to his wife and children that he has the right to marry a second woman under Islamic law, which "trumps all other laws". 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. "It's disappointing to see these subjects being debated," said Tunisian actress Mariem Ben Hussein. 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 . A group of Tunisian women took to social media to call for a protest against polygamy. 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. The Personal Status Code passed in 1956 by late Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba prohibited polygamy, raised the age of marriage for girls to 17 years old, facilitated womens ability to obtain divorce in court, and banned forced marriages for minor girls. In early 2018, a group of women held a protest to demand the re-legalisation of polygamy. Al-Zghal said in a statement to Al-Khaleej Online that he did not call for the demonstration himself, but supports the idea because he believes there is a need to find a solution to the dilemma of spinsterhood. The gift link for this subscriber-only article has expired. 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". After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. Can you have 4 wives in Tunisia? The Personal Status Code passed in 1956 by late Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba prohibited polygamy, raised the age. 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. This article is now fully available for you, Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full. "It is out of the question to discuss these issues again", since the Personal Status Code (CSP), promulgated on 13 August 1956 by former president Habib Bourguiba, "has ruled on these practices", denounced the anti-Islamist Free Destourian Party (PDL) in a statement. He abolished polygamy, prohibited rejection, and introduced judicial divorce. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. The CSP, enacted five months after the country's independence, is revolutionary legislation that granted Tunisian women rights unprecedented in the Arab world. 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". 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 has been connected with the chaotic state of affairs in the country. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Tunisia is a unique example because, unlike Turkey's ban on polygyny (which stemmed from the secularisation of the legal system), Tunisian law was the first prohibition that used a fundamental Quranic precept in its legal reasoning. Premi ESC per annullare. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim nations that has legally banned polygamy. Kurdish-controlled areas criminalize polygamy, "Tunisian women free to marry non-Muslims", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Polygamy_in_Tunisia&oldid=1141521187, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 13:37. 2021 Al-Monitor, LLC. Women-led anthology series 'Roar' , tells feminist fables https://t.co/WHRlDhWjIB. "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. 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. Polygamy in South Sudan is quite common. Some, mostly Salafi, preachers encouraged polygamy whereas others interpreted el-Tayeb's words as a call to reform the practice. It also changed the law so that divorce cases had to go through the courts, meaning a husband could no longer simply declare a marriage over. Read this subscriber-only article for free! 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. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites. Disillusionment and unhappiness in Tunisia, a decade on after the Arab Spring. Polygamy is a taboo issue in Tunisia and a crime punishable by law, under Article 18 of the. Calls for protests have sparked a debate on the issue of polygamy, which is rejected by the majority of Tunisians but supported by a minority under the pretext of respecting Sharia law. This Tunisia-related article is a stub. But in one episode, the series' main character, Wannas, declares to his wife and children that he has the right to marry a second woman under Islamic law, which "trumps all other laws". Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. A woman could contribute to the costs of a marriage if she could afford it, wives could cooperate with husbands in family affairs and child-rearing, and they automatically assumed guardianship of minor children in the event of the death of a husband. Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Tunisian Moderate Association for Awareness and Reform, Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy in Melbourne on January 30, 2023, after winning the Australian Open tennis tournament's mens' singles final against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas. More women are graduating from university. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In practice, judges give less than 5 years of imprisonment. Post-independence leader Habib Bourguiba outlawed polygamy in the family code passed just five months after the country's 1956 independence from France, a piece of legislation that was nothing short of revolutionary in the Arab world at the time. 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. You will get the updates within 24 hours. In this context, researcher of Islamic civilisation, Sami Braham, wrote that: "Unmarried women who missed a wedding opportunity believe that opening the door to polygamy will enable them to get married." 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