TEACHING-EMPOWERING-MENTORING-BUILDING OPPORTUNITY Mission: to partner with individuals and communities in Western Kenya to support entrepreneurial activities, education and health through training programmes, scholarships, water and sanitation projects

Friday, October 2, 2009

New marriage laws

The situation of women, especially in rural areas is very difficult. Most aspects of life (social and personal) are controlled by men: fathers, brothers and ultimately husband. Kenya wants to introduce some new laws, which are already causing controversy. In short they propose that no one can eject a spouse from the house without a court order. Wife inheritance (which contributes to the spread of HIV) and arranged marriages will be outlawed. Wife and husband may own property 50-50 with the wife able to keep what she brought to the marriage in her own name. Second (and more) wives will have no claim on any property acquired before their marriage, although they may share in subsequent wealth. Rich wives will be expected to support poor husbands and vice versa. Polygamy will be legal, BUT the bride must be informed that the husband intends to marry other wives and she has to give permission.

A newspaper article the other day related the story of a husband going to 'visit' his first wife. When he returned he wanted to 'visit' his third wife only to find her 'entertaining' the church pastor! There was no mention of the second wife.

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