The bill aimed at modifying the family code in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was tabled this Monday, May 9, 2023 in the National Assembly by Daniel-Israel Mbau, deputy. This bill sets the maximum amount of the dowry at 500 dollars, aims to index the fees of the wedding and to consolidate the protection of the succession and the transgenerational inheritance. It was welcomed by MEPs and referred to the Political Committee for further consideration.
The law on the family promulgated in July 2016, introduced measures for the protection of women’s rights, in particular the abolition of marital authorization and the obligation for the spouses to consult each other on each legal act in which they participate. As for the new bill, it also proposes penalizing the spoliation or forced evictions of heirs and widowers.
This bill is a significant step forward to protect and better regulate matrimonial practices in the DRC, where the monetary arrangements between the families of the spouses can sometimes give rise to difficult situations for the spouses. Consistent and fair regulation around this subject should help facilitate marriages and ease the financial worries of young couples.
It should be noted that the DRC faces many other challenges, including natural disasters, socio-economic and security issues, mining fraud and school exams, among many others. However, Daniel-Israel Mbau’s bill is a positive example of government involvement in improving legislation for citizens in the DRC.