A group of Tunisian women have used social media sites to call for a protest demanding polygamy. Cell.Albania: +355698129583 Cell.Italia: +393357589095 We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. However, a group of women have taken to social media to call for a protest to be held in front of parliament to demand polygamy. In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy. 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. But since the Islamic al-Nahda Party came to power in October elections last year, Tunisian womens rights organizations have been apprehensive about the possibility losing some of their rights. Almost half of all university students are women. Issued on: 13/04/2022 - 04:38. 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. Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali said. The Mufti, the national religious authority, delivers the Certificate of Conversion that must be presented to City Hall before a marriage can take place. 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. He abolished polygamy, prohibited rejection, and introduced judicial divorce. Polygamy is a taboo issue in Tunisia and a crime punishable by law, under Article 18 of the. Summary about cost of living in Tunis, Tunisia: A single person estimated monthly costs are 400$ (1,116DT) without rent. 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. Al-Zghal stressed in previous press releases that women would participate in the protest to express anger over Tunisia`s failure to allow polygamy. 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. 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". 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". Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code. 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. Read this subscriber-only article for free! Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. 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. 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. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. post-revolution initiative to cancel all laws that contradict Islamic principles. The birth of a child in Tunisia is an important time in the life of the Tunisian family. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. 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. "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. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. 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. "The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said. Women in Tunisia enjoy certain freedoms and rights that are denied to women in neighboring countries, although the social norms have shifted since 2011. 13 Apr 2022 at 10:45. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. 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. She claimed that it also "indicates a lack of awareness of those who demand it," adding that "this will not affect the lifestyle of Tunisian society or the achievements of Tunisian women". Algeria's considerably amended Code de la Famille (Family Code) and Morocco's new Moudawana (Family Law) (Articles 40-46) have both introduced . Sociologist Mohamed Jouili is reassuring: the series "is a work of dramatic art that does not systematically reflect Tunisian society. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. In the United States, polygamy is only legal in the state of Utah. PESCO, enacted five months after the country`s independence, is groundbreaking legislation that grants Tunisian women unprecedented rights in the Arab world. Jouil added that many Tunisians happily discuss such issues in private but are angered when they are aired in public -- where commentators are "instrumentalising" the issue for political gain. 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. 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. Another activist, Raouf Al-Guizani, described this demand as "electoral begging" aimed at distorting Ennahda. 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. 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. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 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. This places Tunisia as one of the worst divorce centres in the Arab world. Data-driven analysis of latest market trends. 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 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. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. All rights reserved. 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 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. The main. The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. 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. But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian society". Any individual who engages in the union of marriage before the dissolution of their previous/current matrimony is sanctioned by one year of imprisonment and/or a fine, even if the first marriage or the new marriage were not contracted in accordance with the law. 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[2] Read: Tunisian union calls for another nationwide strike to press wage demands. Most often asked questions related to bitcoin! 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". In practice, judges give less than 5 years of imprisonment. He added that "the protest is not linked to any political entity and is not led by any associations". Apr 13, 2022, 11:28 AM SGT. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. 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. Tunisia was the first Arab state to officially abolish polygamy in 1956, [1] [2] the same year of its official independence. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. Divorce in Tunisia is a civil matter.At present the Code of Personal Status sets out three grounds for divorce: How long does it take to get married in Tunisia? 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. 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. More women are graduating from university. 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 . The main reason polygamy is legal in these countries is because the husband is responsible for providing for all of his wives and their children. Premi ESC per annullare. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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." "Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence") has also been criticized by rights activists and secular politicians for its portrayal of customary "orfi" marriage, religious unions not sanctioned by the state. 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. 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. 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. The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. Contents1 How many wives can [] Disillusionment and unhappiness in Tunisia, a decade on after the Arab Spring. 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. Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code. MCI (P) 076/10/2022, MCI (P) 077/10/2022. 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. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim countries to have banned polygamy. In addition, 27% of the divorcees are aged below 36 years old. 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. 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. 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. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim nations that has legally banned polygamy. According to the latest report published by the National Office for Family and Population in December 2017, Tunisia is one of the countries with the highest rate of reluctance to get married, with figures standing at 60 per cent much higher than the ratios of other Arab countries. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy remains a problem in Tunisia. But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian society". France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites. Copyright 2023 SPH Media Limited. 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. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. Foreigners wishing to engage in gainful employment require a residence permit (visa and residence permit). Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team. A group of Tunisian women have used social media sites to call for a protest demanding polygamy. See also In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy. According to statistics from the Ministry of Justice, 1,718 "orfi" marriage cases were examined by the country's courts between 2015 and 2020. "The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said. Lgj 1, Rruga Taulantia, Durres Albania These include: Tunisia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. 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". 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". Sanctioning polygamy is a popular demand now in Tunisia, Elmi 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. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. However, sociologist Salahuddin Ben Faraj does not see polygamy as the solution to the problem. Polygamy in South Sudan is quite common. Only civil marriage is recognized by law. 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". Foreigners wishing to live in Tunisia without gainful employment, such as tourists, may stay in Tunisia for 3 months (90 days) or 4 months (120 days) without a permit. 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. 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. Polygamy in Tunisia Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, [1] the same year it gained official independence. Inizia a scrivere il termine ricerca qua sopra e premi invio per iniziare la ricerca. 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. E-mail: info@libraearies.com site: www.libraearies.com. The CSP, enacted five months after the country's independence, is revolutionary legislation that granted Tunisian women rights unprecedented in the Arab world. However, the legal status of women in the family in Tunisia differs from that of other countries in the region. Intimate in-person access to policy and business VIPs. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. 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. 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. The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. Broadcast on the private channel El Hiwar Ettounsi after the break of the fast since the beginning of Ramadan, the holy month of Muslims, the series has triggered controversy by addressing two practices prohibited by Tunisian law: polygamy and religious marriage called "orfi". Polygamy is an injustice to women, he was widely cited as saying, sparking both angry and supportive reactions in the traditional and online media. "The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said. Polygamy is a taboo issue in Tunisia and a crime punishable by law, under Article 18 of the Personal Status Code. 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. 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? In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy, another notable nation being Turkey . 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". 2023 Bangkok Post Public Company Limited. Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts. 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 can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali 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. 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! For the LDP, these crimes (polygamy and habitual marriage, editor`s note), punishable by one year in prison, have resurfaced in Tunisian society since the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party came to power in 2011. In early 2018, a group of women held a protest to demand the re-legalisation of polygamy.