Woman-to-Woman Marriage: A Cultural Paradox in Contemporary Africa’s Constitutional Profile

Jackton B. Ojwang; Emily Nyiva Kinama

doi:10.5771/0506-7286-2014-4-412

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 369–481 Abhandlungen/Articles 369–481
  - 369–391 Rule of Law: Leitbild und Maßstab auch jenseits des staatlichen Rechts Matthias Kötter, Gunnar Folke Schuppert Matthias Kötter, Gunnar Folke Schuppert 369–391
  - 392–411 The German-Chinese ‘Rule of Law Dialogue’: Influence and Outlook Xujun Gao, Bo Gao Xujun Gao, Bo Gao 392–411
  - 412–433 Woman-to-Woman Marriage: A Cultural Paradox in Contemporary Africa’s Constitutional Profile Jackton B. Ojwang, Emily Nyiva Kinama Jackton B. Ojwang, Emily Nyiva Kinama 412–433
  - 434–446 The Protection of the right to health under the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo Dady Mumbanika Mbwisi Dady Mumbanika Mbwisi 434–446
  - 447–481 A Gold Rush to Nowhere? The Rights-based Approach to Environmental Governance in South Africa’s Mining Sector in Question Louis J. Kotzé, Anél du Plessis Louis J. Kotzé, Anél du Plessis 447–481
- 482–490 Berichte/Reports 482–490
  - The 2014 Nigerian National Conference and the Development of Environmental Law and Governance Uzuazo Etemire Uzuazo Etemire
- 491–498 Buchbesprechungen/Book Reviews 491–498
  - 491–494 Tania Groppi – Marie-Claire Ponthoreau (Hrsg.): The Use of Foreign Precedents by Constitutional Judges András Jakab András Jakab 491–494
  - 494–498 Laurence M. Westen: Das Vergaberecht als Mittel der Korruptionsbekämpfung in den Entwicklungsländern Subsahara-Afrikas am Beispiel Kenia. Till Zimmermann Till Zimmermann 494–498
- 499–508 Bibliographie/Bibliography 499–508
  - Bibliographie / Bibliography
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VRÜ Verfassung und Recht in Übersee , page 412 - 433

Woman-to-Woman Marriage: A Cultural Paradox in Contemporary Africa’s Constitutional Profile

Autoren

Jackton B. Ojwang Emily Nyiva Kinama

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/0506-7286-2014-4-412
- ISSN: 0506-7286
- ISSN online: 2941-9603
Abstract

The promulgation of several new Constitutions in Africa came with a paradigm shift in the official perception of second generational rights. For example, the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 enshrines the right to culture and family. Such a change in outlook has a special significance, as it intimately affects current institutions, in their work-orientation. Conflicts of approach frequently affect the working of such institutions, especially in light of new constitutional commitments. Woman-to-woman marriage is one of the many forms of cultural practice recognised by some communities in Africa. Although this form of marriage is recognised by communities in several countries, there is no self-evident principle governing the different approaches adopted by the Courts, in adjudicating disputes relating to this form of marriage. We seek to demonstrate that the difference in constitutional and statutory frameworks governing these countries has occasioned this difference in approaches. This article seeks to elucidate the nature of this unique form of customary marriage, with special focus on Kenya, by firstly, giving the overview of international and domestic laws with regard to the right to culture and family, in relation to the raison d’être of this practice. Secondly, we will provide a synopsis of the concept of woman-to-woman marriage, its recognition in certain communities, and the purpose for entering into such union. Thirdly, we will carry out a comparative analysis in which we consider the Constitution, statutory law and case law in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria, in relation to woman-to-woman marriage. In conclusion, we draw analogies from elements in international law, which aim at protecting cultural rights, such as the right to practise this form of marriage.
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