A South African government proposal on marriages in the country has caused a huge uproar in the conservative section of the society. This proposal is about allowing women to have multiple husbands.

A green paper from the Department of Home Affairs, which hopes to make marriage more inclusive, includes a proposal to allow polyandry, thus giving the same rights to women as men in the country. This is just one of several points in a wide-ranging document but has become the cause of the most intense debate in South Africa. Polygamy, where men marry multiple wives, is legal in the country.

Also read: South Africa impose lockdown for 14 days to curb Delta variant surge

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

The department of Home Affairs consulted both traditional leaders and human rights activists on the issue.

The human rights activists were of the opinion that in the interest of equality, polyandry should be legally recognised as a form of marriage.

The proposal actually goes for gender-neutral marriage so the rules that apply to men would also apply to women so as men are allowed to have multiple wives, women would be granted the same right in terms of husbands. This has created a frenzy among the conservatives.

The green paper noted that the discussions with traditional leaders revealed that they believed that only men have the right to have multiple spouses. The conservatives say that polyandry is not of African origin so it cannot be allowed in the country.

“Men are jealous and possessive” was one of the explanations for why a marriage with multiple husbands would not work.

The government of South Africa has invited more proposals from all the stakeholders till June 30, CNN reported.