However, the legal status of women in the family in Tunisia differs from that of other countries in the region. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. Polygamy is an injustice to women, he was widely cited as saying, sparking both angry and supportive reactions in the traditional and online media. 04/12/22 AT 10:37 PM EDT. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. According to statistics from the Ministry of Justice, 1,718 "orfi" marriage cases were examined by the country's courts between 2015 and 2020. 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. Copyright 2023 SPH Media Limited. He had a wife in Tunisia then married another in exile and brought her with him when he got back, Nasrawi said. The CSP, enacted five months after the country's independence, is revolutionary legislation that granted Tunisian women rights unprecedented in the Arab world. For example, the first wife has to approve before her husband is allowed to remarry, he said. Algeria's considerably amended Code de la Famille (Family Code) and Morocco's new Moudawana (Family Law) (Articles 40-46) have both introduced . Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. Tunisia was the first Arab state to officially abolish polygamy in 1956, [1] [2] the same year of its official independence. 13 Apr 2022 at 10:45. 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. -Tunisia-Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-UAE. 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 NGO has called for the intervention of the Tunisian High Audiovisual Authority (Haica), a body that controls media content. According to United Nations data from 2011, Russias divorce rate is 4.8 divorces per 1,000 residents.Divorce Rates By Country 2021. "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. In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); January 26, 2019 at 11:55 am | Published in: A Tunisian woman can be seen wearing the national flag on 13 August 2018 [FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images]Tunisian, Tunisian union calls for another nationwide strike to press wage demands, Tunisia cabinet approves equal inheritance law, Tunisia women recount torture in 'transitional justice' trials. He pointed out that political parties close to Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi supported these moves and called on people not to follow these calls. 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. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "It's disappointing to see these subjects being debated," said Tunisian actress Mariem Ben Hussein. The country banned polygamy as early as 1956, distinguishing itself from other Muslim-majority countries. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The accomplice (i.e., the third partner in the crime) is punished with the same penalties as the guilty wife or husband. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. "It's disappointing to see these subjects being debated," said Tunisian actress Mariem Ben Hussein. 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". 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 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. A shocking 82% of couples file for divorce within their first year of marriage, before the honeymoon period has even had chance to fade. The main. 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. Tunis is 68.82% less expensive than New York (without rent). 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. 2023 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. "It's not the role of drama to present a positive image of society. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. 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. But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian society". The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. 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." 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. Apr 13, 2022, 11:28 AM SGT. polygamy is still an issue in . No. 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. Data-driven analysis of latest market trends. 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. . Concise, actionable scenarios and predictions from top regional experts. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. Free shipping for many products! Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. 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. 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. 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. 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. "The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said. 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. Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics. 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. Leave us your comments below! "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. Rent in Tunis is, on average, 93.08% lower than in New York. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. 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. 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". 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. The birth of a child in Tunisia is an important time in the life of the Tunisian family. All rights reserved. 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. Some, mostly Salafi, preachers encouraged polygamy whereas others interpreted el-Tayeb's words as a call to reform the practice. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956,[1] the same year it gained official independence. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim nations that has legally banned polygamy. More women are graduating from university. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan-Iraq Regional Government banned polygamy in 2008. 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. But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian society". "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. 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. In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy, another notable nation being Turkey . The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. PIP: As in other Arab-Muslim states, the status of women in Tunisia is based on the superiority of male elders. 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. A group of Tunisian women have used social media sites to call for a protest demanding polygamy. Polygamy is a taboo issue in Tunisia and a crime punishable by law, under Article 18 of the. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. This includes reviewing unfair divorce procedures and abolishing the principle of adoption because it is contrary to Sharia law. 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? The abolition of the decree may not remove the cultural and traditional barriers women face when interfaith marriage in their families, but it now offers Tunisian women greater freedom of choice from a legal perspective. 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. He added that he is also calling for a review of all articles of the Personal Status Code a set of laws that stipulate the rights and freedoms of women in Tunisia and not only the article relating to polygamy. The Tunisian Ramadan TV series "Baraa" has been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians over the issue of polygamy. Lgj 1, Rruga Taulantia, Durres Albania "It's not the role of drama to present a positive image of society. 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