ONE MAN AND MANY WIVES: THE SOLUTION: A LAW OR PROPER EDUCATION?

The advocacy for restrictions as it pertains to the number of wives a man is entitled to have continued to elicit comments across the country from various opinion leaders and even the masses themselves.

The practice is said to have come under severe challenges and only recently, the former CBN governor, now the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has added his voice to those opposed to the practice; a practice that has been in place for centuries across the country, especially in the Northern region where many, particularly, the less financially endowed in the society.

Emir Sanusi is strongly pushing for a law banning poor people in Kano from taking more than one wife. How possible would this be considering that, the practice has become so entrenched in the society with many having come to see it as a part and way of life?

While some have come to view it a welcomed proposal, others have raised issues as they are requesting for the determinant that qualifies or identifies one as being poor.

For those, either in support of this or against it, have failed to acknowledge one important segment that ought to be actively involved in the debates and discussions  as it concerns them more; the women.

Focus has always been on the elites and poor with no one taking into cognizance, the position of the “woman” in all of the debates and discussions. Is it that their opinions do not matter?

There are several questions begging for answers with nobody providing any or, at worse, attempting to address the issues raised.

One of these questions that need answers are; what is the position of the woman in the issue of being in a polygamous marriage? Some advocacy groups are of the belief that women should be given considerations as to what their views are, with the proposed. Or, is it that their views do not count?

Secondly, what is the determinant for “richness” that will qualify one man to take as much wives as possible? One must be conscious of the fact that the practice itself dates back several centuries and religiously, among the Muslims faithful, is acceptable. Can this be eradicated by a “simple” law that will be enacted by an elitist few? Who has ever thought of the idea of trying to educate the populace about the disadvantages involved in taking more than one wife? This is where enlightenment and sensitization comes to play. There is need for creating a strong awareness campaign in the minds of the people as it would adequately address the issues.

Many are of the belief that such a law if enacted, should involve every strata of the society and not just a select few; “the poor” which would give cause for segregation within the society.

Polygamy is not associated to the northern region alone as the practice is equally prevalent in other parts of the country be it Christianity or Islam. The prevalence of education in the other regions seems to have become an added advantage and the practice is gradually being discarded not because of richness or being poor.

There is a need for an increase in the awareness campaigns for the populace to gain higher literacy levels as that would enable them appreciate of need to discard polygamy considering its link with microeconomic issues and this also includes the ability to make informed decisions.

Empowering the people educationally has greater prospects and potentials and this should be done in a broader perspective  as it will provide a change in their mindset and how they view issues.

Quality education is the best way to fight many of the societal ills in the country which the new law (if implemented) seeks to stop. The people cannot forever depend on the elites to think for them as they also have a right to think for themselves. The solution is mass provision of education.

The enactment of a law without the people actively participating in what affects would attract stiff opposition and that is something that will not augur well for the nation.