South Africa Proposes Legalizing Polyandry So The Women Can Marry Multiple Men. Cue In Heated Debate!

South Africa Proposes Legalizing Polyandry So The Women Can Marry Multiple Men. Cue In Heated Debate!

Across the world, marriage is considered to be a sacred bond between two individuals. It is supposed to be the most beautiful and private affair between two people. But does the meaning of marriage hold the same when we take into account the case of polygamy? If yes, then why is polyandry something that society finds hard to digest? If a man has the right to legally marry multiple women, then why not give the same rights to the women? Recently, this topic was raised in South Africa, when a proposal was set out that allowed women to marry multiple men. The proposal turned the entire country into opposing parties of a heated debate!

The proposal was put forth as a means to reform the Marriage Act in South Africa. However, it is safe to say that many conservationists and religious groups have shown their disapproval of it.  In fact, Kenneth Meshoe, the leader of the African Christian Democratic Party, has even gone on record and stated that the implementation of the proposal could “destroy” the very society they are living in. This claim was said knowing full well that polygamy—where men are allowed to marry multiple women—is legalized in South Africa.

Even South African celebrities have not refrained from commenting on the topic. Musa Meseleku, a reality star, who himself is married to four women, has shown his disapproval for granting the same rights to a woman. In his talks with BBC, he gave his two thoughts on the same, declaring, “This will destroy African culture. What about the children of those people? How will they know their identity?” He further added, “The woman cannot now take the role of the man. It’s unheard of. Will the woman now pay lobola [bride price] for the man? Will the man be expected to take her surname?”

Those who have studied the subject and are aware of the consequences of such a proposal, as well as the objections to the proposal, have a completely different outlook on the subject. A professor, Collis Machoko called these objections to be nothing more than just a need to “control.” He told BBC, “African societies are not ready for true equality. We don’t know what to do with women we cannot control.”

With everyone having their own opinions on the matter, those in authority are not too far behind. The South Africa Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi, when asked about the proposal, stated that it was just added as a suggestion to the green paper and it is not an official policy yet. Furthermore, the government has still not taken a stand on the same and has encouraged the people of South Africa to give their inputs on the debate that the proposal has started.

“It only articulates possible policy options or proposals that are based on inputs received from stakeholders during ministerial dialogues. These proposals will be subjected to public scrutiny,” said Motsoaledi. The people of South Africa have until the end of June to comment on the proposals that are raised.

What the proposal does is ask for equal rights for men and women. If men are allowed to marry multiple women, then why aren’t women allowed to marry multiple partners? Why is the burden to take care of society only on a woman? Why can’t we let men take some responsibility for the way society functions?

Only because a woman has the ability to give birth, does not mean that she shouldn’t be able to marry multiple men if she wishes to. I agree that this is not heard of, but change is inevitable. And if women want to marry multiple men then just the way workings of a polygamy society came into being, the working of a polyandry society can also come into being. 

If we can support and work around the legalization of polygamy then I believe that as a society we are capable enough to work together to create a society that can support the legalization of polyandry. 

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Ritu Sanghvi

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