Legalise co-habiting, women demand
May 12, 2010
WOMEN leaders from the central region want the Government to introduce a new law legalising cohabitation for couples who have lived together for over 10 years.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
WOMEN leaders from the central region want the Government to introduce a new law legalising cohabitation for couples who have lived together for over 10 years.
During a workshop for local leaders held on Tuesday at Jokas Hotel in Bweyogerere, the women said most men opt for cohabitation to avoid committing to marriage.
The workshop was aimed at creating awareness and support for the Marriage and Divorce Bill of 2009.
The Bill seeks to reform and consolidate the law relating to marriage, separation and divorce.
The women leaders argued that through cohabitation, couples produce children and pool resources for family investments but often women are dumped without a share of the property.
Cohabitation was provided for in the former Domestic Relations Bill but upon revision, it was dropped. The former Bill was split into two, the Marriage and Divorce Bill and the Muslim Personal Law.
Over the years, NGOs have made similar appeals calling on the Government to legalise the practice with emphasis on sharing property acquired during the cohabitation period.
“Why should the country keep quiet when women are being used and dumped? Why would a man cohabit with me for 10 years and then dump me with the children? How do you expect me to begin a new life,†asked Serina Kasozi from Mubende.
Another participant, only identified as Victoria from Mubende, said most men cohabit with women in order to fleece them of their property since there is no law to apprehend them.
The women suggested that a new clause be inserted into the Marriage and Divorce Bill to make cohabitation legal.
However, Kenneth Rutaremwa, a senior legal officer from the Uganda Law Reform Commission, advised the women to forward the concerns to their area MPs.
“It’s too late now. We can’t add a new clause into the Marriage and Divorce Bill. I advise you to give your MPs opinions so that they push for a new law,†Rutaremwa said.
The women also suggested that a new clause be inserted in the Bill outlawing sex during the day.
They noted that most husbands demand for sex during the day without considering the presence of their children.
“We need a law to ban sex during the day to avoid immorality among children. It should only be allowed during night,†said a participant from Mukono.
The Bill bans widow inheritance, allows women to divorce impotent men and outlaws the demand for marriage gifts.
The women also demanded for a clause allowing them to divorce men with big sexual organs and men who work abroad for long without returning.
They suggested that once the man stays away for more than two years, the woman should be free to re-marry.
WOMEN leaders from the central region want the Government to introduce a new law legalising cohabitation for couples who have lived together for over 10 years.
During a workshop for local leaders held on Tuesday at Jokas Hotel in Bweyogerere, the women said most men opt for cohabitation to avoid committing to marriage.
The workshop was aimed at creating awareness and support for the Marriage and Divorce Bill of 2009.
The Bill seeks to reform and consolidate the law relating to marriage, separation and divorce.
The women leaders argued that through cohabitation, couples produce children and pool resources for family investments but often women are dumped without a share of the property.
Cohabitation was provided for in the former Domestic Relations Bill but upon revision, it was dropped. The former Bill was split into two, the Marriage and Divorce Bill and the Muslim Personal Law.
Over the years, NGOs have made similar appeals calling on the Government to legalise the practice with emphasis on sharing property acquired during the cohabitation period.
“Why should the country keep quiet when women are being used and dumped? Why would a man cohabit with me for 10 years and then dump me with the children? How do you expect me to begin a new life,†asked Serina Kasozi from Mubende.
Another participant, only identified as Victoria from Mubende, said most men cohabit with women in order to fleece them of their property since there is no law to apprehend them.
The women suggested that a new clause be inserted into the Marriage and Divorce Bill to make cohabitation legal.
However, Kenneth Rutaremwa, a senior legal officer from the Uganda Law Reform Commission, advised the women to forward the concerns to their area MPs.
“It’s too late now. We can’t add a new clause into the Marriage and Divorce Bill. I advise you to give your MPs opinions so that they push for a new law,†Rutaremwa said.
The women also suggested that a new clause be inserted in the Bill outlawing sex during the day.
They noted that most husbands demand for sex during the day without considering the presence of their children.
“We need a law to ban sex during the day to avoid immorality among children. It should only be allowed during night,†said a participant from Mukono.
The Bill bans widow inheritance, allows women to divorce impotent men and outlaws the demand for marriage gifts.
The women also demanded for a clause allowing them to divorce men with big sexual organs and men who work abroad for long without returning.
They suggested that once the man stays away for more than two years, the woman should be free to re-marry.