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. "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. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. 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 over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy remains a problem in Tunisia. 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. Premi ESC per annullare. Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. By Achraf OUERGHEMMI (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. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. Muslim Polygamy - Legal Information - Muslim Polygamy A Complete Ban on Polygamy A few Muslim-majority countries have completely outlawed polygamy. Issued on: 13/04/2022 - 04:38. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. Please watch: "Sebulan Belum Tamat ! 2023 Bangkok Post Public Company Limited. APR 13, 2022 LISTEN. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team. 2023 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. 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. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. This has increased from only 990,000 in 1994, with spinsterhood the highest among females age 25-34. Meanwhile the Head of the National Union of Tunisian Women, Radhia Djerbi, said in a statement to Alkhaleej Online that the articles of the Personal Status Code were approved by the Tunisian Constitution and cannot be amended through protest. "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. PIP: As in other Arab-Muslim states, the status of women in Tunisia is based on the superiority of male elders. Al-Monitor.com is a trusted and award-winning independent source of Middle East news and analysis, founded in 2012. Tunisia . The author describes the obstacles to the effective practice of this civil law and to the building of democracy in the family. 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. In the United States, polygamy is only legal in the state of Utah. In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy. Read: Tunisia cabinet approves equal inheritance law. From hope to agony, what's left of the Arab Spring? 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. Another activist, Raouf Al-Guizani, described this demand as "electoral begging" aimed at distorting Ennahda. MCI (P) 076/10/2022, MCI (P) 077/10/2022. Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali said. 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. "Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence . The country banned polygamy as early as 1956, distinguishing itself from other Muslim-majority countries. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. See also Free shipping for many products! The conversion process can take three months or longer. Inizia a scrivere il termine ricerca qua sopra e premi invio per iniziare la ricerca. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. 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". The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. driven curation of top business stories accross 12 industries in the region. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. 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. Apr 13, 2022, 11:28 AM SGT. A group of Tunisian women have used social media sites to call for a protest demanding polygamy. 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. 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. 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. Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code. All rights reserved. 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. Talking about polygamy and Orfi marriage does not threaten the profits women have made, he told AFP. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. Activist Mohammed Nur Musa described the protest as a satanic idea aimed at mobilizing supporters of the regime and its partners to distort the Islamic Ennahda movement. This is a failed plan that will not deceive the wise Tunisian people, he added. This Tunisia-related article is a stub. Data-driven analysis of latest market trends. Tunisia was the first Arab state to officially abolish polygamy in 1956,[1][2] the same year of its official independence. Summary about cost of living in Tunis, Tunisia: A single person estimated monthly costs are 400$ (1,116DT) without rent. 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. "It is a failed plan which will not deceive the smart Tunisian people," he added. 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". 3 min. It has been connected with the chaotic state of affairs in the country. By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy. 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. Leave us your comments below! 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. 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. 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. 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. The main character of the series "Baraa" (Innocence), Wannas, beats a rosary and demands, from the third episode onwards, to be united with a second wife. These issues, which are not usually discussed, remain taboo subjects, yet they are phenomena that exist in Tunisia, said Foued Ghorbali, another sociologist. The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. 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. Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics. Polygamy in South Sudan is quite common. Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim nations that has legally banned polygamy. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. "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. [26] Use of Maslahah Another basis for the abolishment of polygyny lies in the jurisprudential concept of maslahah. Intimate in-person access to policy and business VIPs. Al-Zghal stressed in previous press releases that women would participate in the protest to express anger over Tunisia`s failure to allow polygamy. No. Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs. According to United Nations data from 2011, Russias divorce rate is 4.8 divorces per 1,000 residents.Divorce Rates By Country 2021. PESCO, enacted five months after the country`s independence, is groundbreaking legislation that grants Tunisian women unprecedented rights in the Arab world. Oops, this content can't be loadedbecause you're having connectivity problems, Stay always informed and up to date with our breaking news alerts, Polygamy for Tunisia? 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. post-revolution initiative to cancel all laws that contradict Islamic principles. 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. 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. Djerbi considered calls for protests demanding polygamy to be "a form of madness, a pathological phenomenon. The "exaggerated reactions against this series aim to make people think that everything related to the Muslim religion is retrograde," Nadia Abdelhak, a 28-year-old civil servant, told AFP. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim nations that has legally banned polygamy. "Some Tunisians support customary marriage," he said. The main. Women therefore had the right to have an abortion in an approved hospital within the first 12 weeks, could grant citizenship to their children with the husband`s consent, and married women had the right to adopt children. 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