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Young UAE women have hit out at controversial comments encouraging Emirati men to take more than one wife.
Federal National Council (FNC) member Ahmad Al Amash said earlier this week, during governmental discussions, that the reluctance of Emirati men to take a second wife was creating “a financial burden on the country”.
He said that many men were unwilling to take a second wife due to financial costs involved – but that instead created “a bigger problem.”
“It increases spinsterhood in the country,” a UAE newspaper reported FNC member Al Amash as saying. But 25-year-old UAE government employee Hinaya Al Ameri insisted: “I would never be a second wife. I would not because of every natural instinct in me as a woman.
“No matter how old I get I do not think I would ever accept it.” Al Ameri said that every woman had the right to decide if she wanted to become a second wife – but it was only fair that her rights are protected. “If a woman wants to be the second wife, it is her choice.
“I do not judge her as I cannot put myself in her place,” she said. Emirati male Salman Al Zarei, also 25,
wondered why men were being asked to solve the problem of unmarried women.
“Multiple wives is something that older generations did but is becoming really difficult now,” the TV director said.
“Not (just) for financial reasons but bringing up one family is hard enough and comes with a whole set of problems and responsibilities.”
He added: “I do not see why we as Emirati men should bear the burden of spinsterhood.”
Another 25-year-old, female researcher Fatima Nasser, said that a regulation for polygamy – the taking of more than one wife or husband – needs to be implemented before other regulations are introduced.
“Polygamy should be regulated and only allowed for special situations to ensure that one is not abusing this privilege,” Nasser, who similarly said she would not want to be a second wife, commented.
In Islam a man is entitled to marry up to four wives. However, there is fierce debate both at a scholarly and societal level in which situations it should be implemented. Asked about further comments Al Amash made – that housing allowances should be increased for Emiratis with more than one wife – Afra Al Basti, FNC member and chairman of the Dubai foundation for women and children, said it “could solve problems.”
According to the National Bureau of Statistics in 2010 there are 479,109 Emirati males and 468,888 national females in the UAE.
