Polygyny and its Effects on Womens Rights in Rwanda A Case of Nyamagabe District

ABSTRACT 

The study investigated the effect of polygyny on women’s rights in Nyarnagabe District Rwanda. The general objective of the study was to analyse the relationship between the practices of polygyny in Nyarnagabe District and its effects on women’s rights. The study population comprised of 151 respondents of Nyarnagabe District especially in three Sectors both qualitative and quantitative in nature. The study used questionnaire and interview method to collect data from the respondents, the study findings indicate that a number of women’s rights were violated including; harassment and denial of their rights, the study also found out that in Nyamagabe District even though it is not accepted in the National constitution of Rwanda. Some of the causes of polygyny were that most men practice polygyny to look for more boys to protect the family and inherit their wealth; they also desired to have many children because during the 1994 genocide, many lives were lost. They said that polygyny was practiced so as to get male children, to have sexual satisfaction, enlightenment and self confidence for men who did not want to practice prostitution. It also found out that women can’t refuse to be second wives due to poverty. The study also found a significant relationship between polygyny and women’s rights. The study drew the following conclusions according to objectives; on the level of Polygyny among respondents in terms of causes, respondents showed that polygyny exist in Nyamagabe District because men need more children and prestige, leads them to polygyny which has effects on the women and their marriage in general. The level of effects on Women’s rights in Nyamagabe District in Rwanda, all aspects of women’s rights rated High on average. Findings showed that polygynous women’s rights are abused in general because they don’t have their owii rights for everything as women who stay in monogamy. The study also rejected the Null hypothesis and accepted the alternative. The recommendations are based on the objectives of the study as follows; The study recommended that to enhance women’s rights, Polygyny should be discouraged, improve on women’s rights abuses by sensitizing people about co existence and the government of Rwanda should take serious measures and fight against the practice of polygyny. For areas of further research, the researcher noted future researchers should investigate more on the other factors other which influence women’s rights like poverty and bad cultural practices.

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION j

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iv

TABLE OF CONTENT v

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS viii

ABSTRACT ix

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1.0 Background of the Study 1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective 1

1.1.2 Theoretical perspective 3

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective 3

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective 4

1.2 Statement of the problem 5

1.3.0 General objective of the Study 5

1.3.1 Specific objectives 5

1.4 Research Questions 5

1.5 Hypothesis of the study 6

1.6.0 Scope of the study 6

1.6.1 Geographical scope 6

1.6.2 Theoretical scope 6

1.6.3 Content scope 6

1.6.4 Time Scope 6

1.7 Significance of the Study 6

1.8 Operational Definitions of Key Terms 7

CHAPTER TWO :LITERATUREREVIEW.8

2.0 Introduction 8

2.1. Theoretical review 8

2.2.0 Causes of Polygyny 9

2.2.1 Polygyny and economics 9

2.2.3 Shifting Cultivation 10

2.2.4 Desire for Progeny 11

2.2.5 Wives in Farming System 11

2.2.6 Economic Burden 11

2.3.0 Effects of Polygyny on women’s rights and Islamic Women’s Coping through Spirituality.. 12

2.3.1 Effects of Polygyny in community 13

2.3.2 Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Abuse 13

2.3.3 Mental Health Issues 14

2.3.4 Religious Abuse, Or Exploitation of Religion 15

2.3.5 Islamic Women’s Spirituallity 15

2.3.6 Spirituality as a Form of Coping 15

2.3.7 Spirituality and the Loss of Hope 16

2.3.8 Effect of Education on Women 16

2.3.9AIDS/HIV 17

2.4 Research Gaps 18

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 19

3.0 Introduction 19

3.1 Research Design 19

3.3 Sample Size 20

3.4 Sampling Procedure 20

3.5 Research Instrument 20

16 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 21

3.7 Data Gathering Procedures 21

3.8.0 Data Analysis 22

3.8.1 Ethical Considerations 22

3.9 Limitations of the Study 23

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA, PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION...24

4.0: Introduction 24

4.1.0 Demographic characteristics of respondents 24

4.1.1 Age of respondents 24

4.2.1 Objective one; descriptive statistics on the causes of polygyny 27

4.3.0 Objective two; descriptive statistics on the effects of polygyny 29

4.4.0 Descriptive statistics on women’s rights 31

4.5.1: Significant relationship between Polygyny and Women’s rights 32

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 34

5.0. Introduction 34

5.1.1. Objective one: Investigating the Level of Polygyny in terms of causes and effects 34

5.1.2. Objective two: Exploring the Level of Women’s rights in Nyamagabe District 34

5.1.3 Objective Three: Examine the significant relationship between Polygyny and women’s rights 35

5.2. Conclusions 35

5.3. Reconirnendations 36

5.4. Areas for further studies 36

REFERENCES 37

APPENDICES 41