Dynamic Canonical Complexities Surrounding the Freedom of African Women in the Choice of Spouses

Abstract

Dynamic canonical complexities surrounding the freedom of African women in the choice of spouses investigates, in the light of the normative provisions of canons 219 and 1103 CIC, the peculiarity in the circumstance of an African woman's choice of life partner. Intersecting factors such as family, age, psychological disposition, and socio-cultural background determine the extent to which African women are immune from any kind of coercion in the exercise of their right to marry. Drawing upon a combination of canonical exegesis, interviews and surveys, this paper delves into the socio-cultural, economic, and familial factors that inuence the African woman's will in the choice of a life partner. Some of the ndings expose the challenges encountered especially by the judges of the ecclesiastical tribunal in their quest to achieve a more critical evaluation of cases about limitations of freedom in the choice of marriage among African women. The study uncovers a spectrum of coercive mechanisms, ranging from overt familial expectations to subtle socio-cultural biases, which exert varying degrees of inuence on African women's decision-making process. It proffers interventions aimed at promoting friendlier environment for a less restricted freedom in the choice of a life partner.