Polygamy in Pakistan

Polygamous unions are legally permissible in the Muslim nation of Pakistan, yet such unions are overwhelmingly seen as a taboo^[1], despite that the fact that 95% of the population is affiliated with Islam, which permits polygamy for men. Since the 1980s, there have been numerous crackdowns and restrictions set on polygamy in the nation, similar to such in Indonesia. For instance, in order to marry again, a man must have legal consent of his first wife. However, polygamous unions are still perfectly legal under Pakistani law, though numerous Women's rights groups have fiercely opposed such legality, and have been strong proponents of ending the practice. Whether this is an achievable task is yet to be determined.

Father's literacy and support is an important factor associated with the well-being of the children. (1) Polygamy is a serious issue and violates basic human rights for women and children. (2) It is a well known fact that women have lower literacy rates as compared to men in Pakistan. The fertility rate in Pakistan is one of the highest in the whole world. Literature review supports a link between lower maternal literacy with higher family size. (3) The present law protects a man's right to marry more than once. It's a well-known fact in the communities that it causes financial and social hardships on men's first families when the attention and resources are focused on the new family. There are cases in the community where men have remarried and created harsh environments for their first families forcing them to leave. These women often are uneducated and unskilled. They usually go back to their parents with their children. The old parents are sometimes not in a position to help their daughters and their several children. These children end up on the streets playing in dirt with no access to basic health and education facilities and no one protecting their rights. Government has no rules or regulations in place for alimony or child support for these abandoned, abused and neglected women and children. The laws need amendment where polygamy should either be completely outlawed or if it is allowed, the strict regulations will make sure that children are protected and no human rights have been violated.

External links

1. ^ Pakistan: Polygamy legal but socially a taboo

1- Father's support and literacy--factors associated with child mortality in Gambat, Sindh-Pakistan.[Erratum appears in J Pak Med Assoc. 2010 Mar;60(3):248] Agha A. Ajmal F. Iqbal A. White F. JPMA - Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 60(2):81-5, 2010 Feb. [Journal Article. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't] UI: 20209689> 2- The scope of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse in a Bedouin-Arab community of female adolescents: The interplay of racism, urbanization, polygamy, family honor, and the social marginalization of women.[Erratum appears in Child Abuse Negl. 2006 Jun;30(6):577] Elbedour S. Abu-Bader S. Onwuegbuzie AJ. Abu-Rabia A. El-Aassam S. Child Abuse & Neglect. 30(3):215-29, 2006 Mar. [Journal Article] UI: 16519938 3- Does women's literacy affect desired fertility and contraceptive use in rural-urban Pakistan?. Zaki KP. Johnson NE. Journal of Biosocial Science. 25(4):445-54, 1993 Oct. [Comparative Study. Journal Article. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't] UI: 8227093