“Wife, a family’s share” an out of date idiom
“Wife, a family’s share” an out of date idiom
As days pass by, Rwandese has changed their behavior depending to the new era. Changes are more visible with expressions that use to be culturally used and are now slowly disappearing. Today proverb is: “Umugore ni uw’umuryango” “Wife a family’s share.”
Back in the days this proverbs use to be used generally in behavior guideline based on cultural believes.
In the past years, a woman could be considered as a family shared wife. It means that if the husband was absent or dead; a woman could have children with her in laws. Culturally it was accepted.
Her father in law was allowed to have sexual intercourse with her even if his son was still alive.
In the past such conducts were accepted: one of the best examples is when a man was on his way back home and he will notice a mark at the door that meant that his wife received a visit and was oblige to wait outside.
Such believes are not practice any more, women empowerment has brought to the society a new vision of women in general and across the country. Life styles have change and it is not anymore influenced by cultural behaviors.
Saying that a woman is a family’s wife was denying her the right to refuse sexual intercourse to any men against her consent.
Sexual transmitted diseases have also promoted such believes cancellation
The government has taken in its hands to protect and empower women through its policies.
In addition, Monogamy is the only marital status recognized in the country instead of polygamy which was the custom at the time.
Fidele Niyigaba