Parliament on Tuesday began an extraordinary session, with the Chamber of Deputies continuing with the ratification of the Family and Persons bill, which has been in the House since 2010. Tabling a committee report before the plenary session, Alfred Rwasa Kayiranga, the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Political Affairs and Gender, singled out article 40 of the bill, which relates to the adoption of spousal name by married couples. “During committee deliberations, we found out that, marriage should not dictate automatic change in the person’s name. Changing names is not a must for married couples,” MP Kayiranga said. Most women in the country adopt their husband’s surnames upon marriage, at the expense of their maiden names. However, MP Kayiranga added that with consensus of spouses, one partner will be allowed to use a spouse’s name provided that it is done before a civil status registrar of the spouse’s domicile. MP Emmanuel Mudidi said incorporating the article in the Bill might not change anything in relation to Rwandan tradition of naming. “Names have traditional implications, in relation to Rwandan culture, names define one as a woman or man,” MP Mudidi asked. MP Julienne Uwacu said, “I am concerned if one of the couple died, and the widowed person wants to get into another marriage, will she keep changing names?” However, despite the debate, the lawmakers went on to vote the article. In August, the Family and Persons Bill was the only pending bill before the lower house went for recess. The 333-article bulky legislation, which is to be amended, seeks to align the standing law with the Constitution, the Penal Code, current realities, and the country’s policy on gender equality. The draft law also included divorce, and dowry, which, from the beginning, the public said should be a separate cultural aspect that should not be included in the legislation. The two-week session is expected to finalise the ratification of Family and Persons Bill as well as some other pending draft legislations.
