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. 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. From hope to agony, what's left of the Arab Spring? 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 justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. You will get the updates within 24 hours. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. 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 site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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". But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian society". More women are graduating from university. For the LDP, "these crimes" (polygamy and customary marriage, editor's note), punishable by one year's imprisonment, have reappeared in Tunisian society since the Islamist-inspired party Ennahdha came to power in 2011. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP), A surgery team operates on a child rescued from the rubble of a building at a hospital in the town of Harim in Syria's rebel-held northwestern Idlib province. 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. 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". Premi ESC per annullare. 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. 13 Apr 2022 at 10:45. 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. Tunisia was the first Arab state to officially abolish polygamy in 1956,[1][2] the same year of its official independence. Sanctioning polygamy is a popular demand now in Tunisia, Elmi said. 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. A group of Tunisian women have used social media sites to call for a protest demanding polygamy. PESCO, enacted five months after the country`s independence, is groundbreaking legislation that grants Tunisian women unprecedented rights in the Arab world. LIBRA & ARIES CONSULTING SH.P.K Only civil marriage is recognised by law. 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. . 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. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. 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. Sociologist Mohamed Jouili is reassuring: the series "is a work of dramatic art that does not systematically reflect Tunisian society. Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. APR 13, 2022 LISTEN. 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". Contents1 How many wives can [] Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. "It's not the role of drama to present a positive image of society. 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. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. Leave us your comments below! "Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence . Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan-Iraq Regional Government banned polygamy in 2008. 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". It has been connected with the chaotic state of affairs in the country. According to an international study conducted in December, Tunisia ranked fourth in the Arab world and first in north Africa in the percentage of single women. In addition, 27% of the divorcees are aged below 36 years old. Tunis, Tunisia, differentiates itself with low living costs. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. Demographics . 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 . Al-Monitor.com is a trusted and award-winning independent source of Middle East news and analysis, founded in 2012. This includes reviewing unfair divorce procedures and abolishing the principle of adoption because it is contrary to Sharia law. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. 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. This can be difficult to do if polygamy is illegal. Concise, actionable scenarios and predictions from top regional experts. "Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP. 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. PESCO, enacted five months after the country`s independence, is groundbreaking legislation that grants Tunisian women unprecedented rights in the Arab world. Try it for free and cancel anytime. 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. Read: Tunisian union calls for another nationwide strike to press wage demands. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team. 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. Polygamy is an injustice to women, he was widely cited as saying, sparking both angry and supportive reactions in the traditional and online media. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956,[1] the same year it gained official independence. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. 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. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956,[1] the same year it gained official independence. 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. 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. Most often asked questions related to bitcoin! 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. Apr 13, 2022, 11:28 AM SGT. The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. 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. However, sociologist Salahuddin Ben Faraj does not see polygamy as the solution to the problem. In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy, another notable nation being Turkey . 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. The NGO has called for the intervention of the Tunisian High Audiovisual Authority (Haica), a body that controls media content. (Photo by Aaref WATAD / AFP), China accuses US of flying 10 balloons over its airspace. In early 2018, a group of women held a protest to demand the re-legalisation of polygamy. It provides tools to debate social issues, "talk about polygamy or orfi marriage" but "in no way threatens the achievements of women", he told AFP. "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. Only civil marriage is recognized by law. Summary about cost of living in Tunis, Tunisia: A single person estimated monthly costs are 400$ (1,116DT) without rent. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. 2021 Al-Monitor, LLC. 2023 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. All rights reserved. The accomplice (i.e., the third partner in the crime) is punished with the same penalties as the guilty wife or husband. But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian society". However, the legal status of women in the family in Tunisia differs from that of other countries in the region. The sociologist denounces "a stupid instrumentalisation to gain political points". . These issues, which are not usually discussed, remain taboo subjects, yet they are phenomena that exist in Tunisia, said Foued Ghorbali, another sociologist. 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. "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. Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali said. Why did the Soviet Union and the United States almost go to war in October 1962? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. "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. 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. All done! Intimate in-person access to policy and business VIPs. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim nations that has legally banned polygamy. 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". Do you think polygamy should be legalised in Tunisia? "Some Tunisians support customary marriage," he said. 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. In practice, a polygamous union is in most cases limited to two women per couple. A group of Tunisian women took to social media to call for a protest against polygamy. See also Tunisia was the first Arab state to officially abolish polygamy in 1956, [1] [2] the same year of its official independence. In practice, judges give less than 5 years of imprisonment. 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. 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". Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. The freedom of expression gained after the 2011 revolution even encouraged some to call for the return of polygamy, including a women`s collective that organized a protest in early 2018. This study intends to describe polygamous laws in Muslim countries such as Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. 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. 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." 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". 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. driven curation of top business stories accross 12 industries in the region. Issued on: 13/04/2022 - 04:38. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. Free shipping for many products! "The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old 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. According to the Muslim tradition, men can have up to four wives. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. 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 became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. 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. This has increased from only 990,000 in 1994, with spinsterhood the highest among females age 25-34. 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. Polygamy in South Sudan is quite common. 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