Commissioner from the Commission for gender equality Mbuyiselo Botha

First Thing is First | The green paper on marriages was recently published by the department of home affairs for public comment. One of the proposals in it, is the recognition of polyandry. Polyandry would allow women to be married to more than one man at the same time .Commissioner from the Commission for gender equality Mbuyiselo Botha  believes that ‘Opposition to polyandry is bid by men to control marriage power dynamics’Questions|Why would there be opposition to polyandry when society has accepted polygamy? Is the uproar not also rooted in the constant need to stifle and police the choices women can make?This also challenges family normsWhat would you say to those are opposing this?A green paper is a part of a legislative process…..The process of making a law sometimes begins with a discussion document, called a Green Paper. This is drafted in the Ministry or department dealing with the particular issue in order to show the way that it is thinking on a particular policy. It is then published so that anyone who is interested can give comments, suggestions and ideas.The Green Paper is sometimes followed by a more refined discussion document, called a White Paper, which is a broad statement of government policy. This is drafted by the relevant department or a task team designated by the Minister of that department. Comment may again be invited from interested parties. The relevant parliamentary Committees may propose amendments or other proposals and then send the policy paper back to the Ministry for further discussion and final decisions.