Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. 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. 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. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. 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. Copyright 2023 SPH Media Limited. Demographics . "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. PESCO, enacted five months after the country`s independence, is groundbreaking legislation that grants Tunisian women unprecedented rights in the Arab world. Adultery is a crime punishable by law for both spouses 7. dinars. Rent in Tunis is, on average, 93.08% lower than in New York. In early 2018, a group of women held a protest to demand the re-legalisation of polygamy. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. These include reviewing unfair divorce procedures and abolishing the principle of adoption because it violates Sharia law. "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 justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. "Some Tunisians support customary marriage," he said. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. "Some Tunisians support customary marriage," he 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. 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. Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. 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. Try it for free and cancel anytime. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Read: Tunisia women recount torture in 'transitional justice' trials. The NGO has called for the intervention of the Tunisian High Audiovisual Authority (Haica), a body that controls media content. "It's disappointing to see these subjects being debated," said Tunisian actress Mariem Ben Hussein. Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, the same year it gained official independence. . Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy remains a problem 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. Audience ratings certified by ACPM/OJD. [2] In the United States, polygamy is only legal in the state of Utah. He added that the protest is not linked to any political entity and is not led by associations. Human rights group Aswat Nissa (Women`s Voices) said polygamy and common marriage are forms of violence against women and that their discussion normalizes a culture of impunity. A number of activists believe the call for polygamy was motivated by political parties targeting the Islamic Ennahda movement and distorting its image ahead of the upcoming elections. From hope to agony, what's left of the Arab Spring? Al-Zghal stressed in previous press releases that women would participate in the protest to express anger over Tunisia`s failure to allow polygamy. This can be difficult to do if polygamy is illegal. Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code. 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. In current times, Tunisia is still one of the very few predominantly Islamic nations that has legally banned polygamy, another notable nation being Turkey . This Tunisia-related article is a stub. The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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". The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media. "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. "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. The Tunisian Ramadan TV series "Baraa" has been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians over the issue of polygamy. 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. After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added. 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. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. Tunisian actors (L to R) Rim Riahi, Fethi Haddaoui, and Ahlam Fekih look on during the filming of the Tunisian television series "Baraa" (innocence) in the capital Tunis on De, By using this website, you agree with our use of cookies to improve its performance and enhance your user experience. 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. Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali said. This Tunisia-related article is a stub. 3 min. 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Tunisia . Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956,[1] the same year it gained official independence. Can you have 4 wives 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. A shocking 82% of couples file for divorce within their first year of marriage, before the honeymoon period has even had chance to fade. He added that he also calls for a revision of all articles of the personal status law a set of laws that establish women`s rights and freedoms in Tunisia and not just the article on polygamy. Ini Game Ending Paling Gila" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUvnmEXace4 --~--Many Demo Women Ask for Polygamy | Interes. Women-led anthology series 'Roar' , tells feminist fables https://t.co/WHRlDhWjIB. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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 Personal Status Code passed in 1956 by late Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba prohibited polygamy, raised the age. 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". Apr 13, 2022, 11:28 AM SGT. 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. He had a wife in Tunisia then married another in exile and brought her with him when he got back, Nasrawi said. The Tunisian Ramadan TV series Baraa has sparked a backlash on social media. published : 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. 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. 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. "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. Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates. Do you think polygamy should be legalised in Tunisia? The Mufti, the national religious authority, delivers the Certificate of Conversion that must be presented to City Hall before a marriage can take place. In practice, judges give less than 5 years of imprisonment. 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. 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. Polygamy is a taboo issue in Tunisia and a crime punishable by law, under Article 18 of the Personal Status Code. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said. Turkey banned the practice in 1926, while the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq banned polygamy in 2008. 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. The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people. In the event of divorce, the woman may assume certain guardianship rights if the male guardian has behaved badly. Weekly A.I. But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian 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. Polygamy in Tunisia Tunisia became the first Arab state to formally abolish polygamy in 1956, [1] the same year it gained official independence. Premi ESC per annullare. Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia. 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. "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. "It is a failed plan which will not deceive the smart Tunisian people," he added. Tunisia remains one of the few predominantly Muslim countries to have banned polygamy. 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 has some of the strongest womens rights laws in the Middle East. Marriage may occur between: Foreign non-Muslim men and Tunisian Muslim women provided the man converts. 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. (Photo by Aaref WATAD / AFP), China accuses US of flying 10 balloons over its airspace. However, the legal status of women in the family in Tunisia differs from that of other countries in the region. 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". Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today. Data-driven analysis of latest market trends. 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. Cell.Albania: +355698129583 Cell.Italia: +393357589095 Concise, actionable scenarios and predictions from top regional experts. 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. The head of a Tunisian Islamist organization called this week for his country to legalize polygamy as part of a post-revolution initiative to cancel all laws that contradict Islamic principles. According to our city rankings, this is a good place to live with high ratings in housing, business freedom and safety. See also driven curation of top business stories accross 12 industries in the region. 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