South Africa may let women have multiple husbands. Debate ensues on polyandry

Aproposal, which is considering allowing women to have multiple husbands, has sparkedintense debate in South Africa.This isjust one of several proposals in a wide-ranging document.

According to a CNN report, the proposal, which looksto allow polyandry, has been included in a green paper from South Africa's Department of Home Affairs.

Ithopes to make marriages more inclusive even as polygamy, where men marry multiple wives, is legal in the country.

The paper says,"South Africa inherited a marriage regime that was based on the Calvinist Christian and Western traditions.The current marriage laws are not informed by an overarching policy that is based on constitutional values and the understanding of modern society dynamics.”

It also statesthe current law allows the marriage of minors and does not account for couples, who seek tochange their sex and want to remain married without going through a divorce, among other flaws.

With the aim tomake marriage policy stronger, the department has alsoconsulted with traditional leaders, human rights activists and other groups on importantissues.

As per thehuman rights activists,equality demands polyandry to be legallyrecognisedas a form of marriage.

In the whole exercise, the needtodraw up a 'gender neutral' marriage schemehas come to the fore.

As per thesuggestion,South Africa could do away withcategorisingmarriages along lines of race, religion,sexual orientation and culture.

These suggestionsseemto have not gone down well withsome people in the country."The thinking is foreign,"MusaMseleku, a reality TV star, who has four wives,said.

Until June 30,the South African government is consulting on the paper and have invited comments on all the proposals involved.

(With inputs from agencies)