In America, until the 1970s women were by law expected to assume the husband’s name in order to vote. PHOTO | COURTESY
In this season, many people are getting married. Ms Jane, will want to be Mrs James. It is not automatic that a woman takes on a husband’s name. Not in Uganda. There is no such a law that upon marriage, a woman must adopt their husband’s name. If you must take on your husband’s name, you must get his consent and must swear an affidavit (Deed Poll).
To change to a new name, it is provided for in the Oaths Act, Cap 19 and or Registration of Documents Act Cap 81) and you must state the change you are making to your name. It costs less than Shs200,000 and within seven days you will have it done. See, we have all been dabbling in ignorance.
So, where did this craze come from?
It is an English thing. See, in England, women did not have legal identity. Women had to adopt the names of their husbands. All houses in England were owned by men. A man built a house, and a woman entered it. She became a mistress! Women could not enter contracts, did not own property or businesses.
In America, until the 1970s women were by law expected to assume the husband’s name in order to vote. The long form of Mrs. simply is Mistress of and Mr. means Master of. Men had credit rating over and above women.
Interestingly, despite women empowerment in the West, research shows that 90 percent of British women still take on the man’s surname upon marriage. In America, the figure stands at 70 percent. In contrast, 60 percent of UK women and 68 percent of American women consider themselves feminists. By this, the women are subtly saying; “I am a man’s property.”
Thankfully, I have resisted anyone’s daughter adopt my surname. Not even my children. That is not how Banyankore-Bakiga/Banyaruguru do it. Those who have adopted the ‘tradition’ are probably ignorant of the truths.
What it is in other jurisdictions
One of my friends in England, upon marriage, took on the surname of his wife as his wife took on his. He was probably aware of the Quebec law in Canada where partners are compelled to adopt both surnames and not one partner to adopt the surname of the other. It is illegal in Quebec-Canada to use your husband’s name when he had not adopted yours. In Belgium, Korea, and Egypt, it is unacceptable for a woman to use her husband’s name.
In the UK, the royals do not adopt their spouse’s names; Remember, she was Princess Diana not Mrs. Charles. She is Ms. Parker Bowles not Mrs. Charles. She is Kate Middleton not Mrs. William. She is Meghan Markle and not Mrs. Harry. Those who get married into the UK’s royal family retain their maiden names except they are given a title that precedes their maiden names.
Therefore, my daughters will not adopt a man’s name! You can only give them a title. Even in the Bible, we see Rebecca not becoming Mrs. Isaac. See! It tallies with the Nkore-Kigezi/Kinyaruguru tradition! In Buganda and Nkore-Kigezi, women, like their children do not take on the names of the patriarch.
The new fad and a nice thing
Looks like British/American educated Africans picked on this thing because it was probably cool. Today, we rationalize things even when they entrench patriarchy unknowingly or knowingly because we think it is cool or harmless.
I asked married women for this article. Margaret said, “Well, I have never given it a thought” “It is to let anyone out there know that I am not available. I am no longer an individual. It elevates me socially. It gives people a new public perception of who I am now. I do not have to explain myself about my marital status”,
To Elizabeth she thinks “It is a nice tradition. It is romantic. My public profile changes. It means I am already committed to someone” Interestingly though, none of the women ever thought that the Mrs. thing symbolised “becoming a property of a man!” And when I shared with them that that was the tradition, they felt offended.
Finally, I talked to Pastor Ivan and this is what said; “You see, A husband is head of the woman as Christ is the head of the church” And I added, “The head can only turn where the neck wants it to turn?”
On a serious note, though, if you have adopted your husband’s name, go have it registered. Otherwise, you could be a ‘fraud’ or are saying; “You are not royalty.” Among the native Banyaruguru, to which I belong, married women retained their names. As for me, I am raising royal daughters. Someone should be raising royal sons not chauvinists.
BITTER TRUTH
On a serious note, though, if you have adopted your husband’s name, go have it registered. Otherwise, you could be a ‘fraud’ or are saying; “You are not royalty.” Among the native Banyaruguru, to which I belong, married women retained their names. As for me, I am raising royal daughters. Someone should be raising royal sons not chauvinists.
