DUSHANBE, December 27, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Organized by the public foundation Perspectiva+, a round table meeting was held in Dushanbe on December 26 to discuss issues related to polygamy and problems created due to it.

Speaking at the meeting, the Perspectiva+ chairperson Oynihol Bobonazarova noted that polygamy created many problems in Tajik society.  According to her, the polygamy has become quite widespread in Tajikistan despite the fact that Tajikistan’s legislation prohibits polygamy.  “The social consequences of polygamy are horrific for our society – these are self-immolations and other types of suicide committed by women and appearance of more and more neglected children,” the human rights activist noted.

She jointly with NGOs dealing with this issue intends to develop draft amendments to the country’s family code and other laws regulating marriage relationship and other family issues.  According to her, it is necessary to think over concrete measure “to prevent consequences of this tendency proceeding from present realities.”

Ms. Bobonozarava also noted that although polygamy is legal in Iran and Afghanistan and men are permitted for up to four wives, the number of men having more than one wife in these countries is not so large.  “While in Tajikistan, the situation emerged under the principle of “forbidden fruit is sweetest,” said Bobonazarova, “The other nuance is connected with laws of these Islamic countries, which provide for strict obligations along with permissions.”