A group of women standing in from=nt of The Goat Foundation Banner holding leashes to pairs of goats each

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY WITH THE HELP OF THE GOAT FOUNDATION

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A group of women standing in from=nt of The Goat Foundation Banner holding leashes to pairs of goats each

The Goat Foundation beneficiaries of the 7th Cause Giveback in Kilifi County, Kenya.

In the remote, rural areas of Kilifi County, Kenya, many women face overwhelming odds after the loss of a husband. Without the protection of a male head of household, these widows are often subjected to abuse, neglect, and poverty. For one woman, however, the journey was a little different. This is her story.

After her husband drowned while on a fishing trip, she was left to pick up the pieces and care for her children on her own. With no means to support herself or her family, she turned to her in-laws for help. But instead of compassion and support, she was met with emotional and physical abuse. Her in-laws chased her away from her matrimonial home, leaving her with nowhere to turn.

Despite her dire circumstances, she refused to give up. With courage and determination, she took to the streets, selling vegetables and doing odd jobs to support her family. But it wasn’t enough. The days were long and the nights were lonely. The future seemed bleak and uncertain.

But then, something changed. The Goat Foundation, founded by Steve Down under the Cause Capitalism philosophy, heard about her plight and invited her to a goat giveback ceremony. It was there that she received a pair of goats, male and female, which would change her life forever.

The goats multiplied and grew into a big herd, providing her with a steady source of income. She was able to purchase more land, build a home, and send her children to school. She was no longer a social pariah. The once-broken woman was now a successful businesswoman, providing for her family and giving back to her community.

Looking back on her journey, she is filled with gratitude for the Goat Foundation and the opportunity it gave her. “I never thought this day would come,” she says with a smile. “But with the help of the Goat Foundation, I have overcome adversity and am now financially independent. I will forever be grateful for this organization and the hope it has given me.”

The Goat Foundation is working to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable widows like this one. By providing them with the resources and support they need to start their own goat herds, the foundation is promoting sustainable economic solutions and creating a more equitable world. The cause capitalism philosophy ensures that these women are not only able to sustain themselves, but also help to develop the community at large.

This widow’s story is just one of many. But it serves as a testament to the power of hope and the impact that organizations like The Goat Foundation can have in transforming lives and communities. We can all make a difference, and it starts with supporting the work of organizations like The Goat Foundation.

 

The 17 SDGs listed

WAYS THAT SDGs CAN ASSIST IN ENSURING ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY FOR WIDOWS

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The 17 SDGs listed

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals

The overall goals of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people have the opportunity to live peaceful, prosperous, and fulfilling lives.

The SDGs are designed to be universal, meaning that they apply to all countries, regardless of their level of development. They are also integrated, meaning that the goals are interconnected and that progress on one goal is dependent on progress on others. What this means is that one section of society cannot develop while another section is left behind and that is why it is important to consider widows as a crucial demographic while attempting to realize the SDGs.

Investing in education and training programs to provide widows with the skills and knowledge they need to participate fully in the economy. This can include programs to improve literacy and numeracy, as well as vocational training and entrepreneurship development.

Supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by widows in their communities. SMEs are a key source of employment and income in many African countries, and providing support to these businesses can help to promote economic growth and sustainability.

Investing in infrastructures, such as roads, schools, and health clinics, in marginalized communities. This can help to improve access to essential services and create economic opportunities for widows in these communities.

Promoting financial inclusion, including expanding access to financial services, such as savings and credit, in marginalized widow communities. This can help to provide widows in these communities with the tools they need to manage their finances and grow their businesses.

Working with governments and other stakeholders to develop policies and programs that address the specific needs and challenges facing widows in Africa. This can include targeted initiatives to support economic development, such as targeted credit programs or business development services.

Non-Governmental Organizations play a crucial role in this sphere and they can crucially work to address and reduce poverty in marginalized areas through adopting strategies such as:

  • Investing in education and skills training.
  • Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship.
  • Providing access to basic services such as healthcare, clean water, and electricity
  • Implementing policies to promote gender equality and empower women.
  • Supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development.

The overall aim of the SDGs is to create a more sustainable and equitable world, where all people have the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives and where the natural environment is protected and preserved for future generations. 

These goals are meant to provide a framework for global efforts to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. It is hoped that the above-proposed measures can serve as a timely advisory toward achieving these goals.

USING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TO EMPOWER WIDOWS WHILE MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

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Sustainable agriculture to help widows combat climate change effects like poverty.

Supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development can be a powerful way to reduce poverty and improve the lives of widows who live in rural areas and rely on farming for their livelihoods. Some potential strategies for achieving this include:

  • Providing training and support to farmers to help them improve their agricultural practices and increase their yields
  • Investing in infrastructures, such as irrigation systems, roads, and storage facilities, to improve access to markets and reduce food waste
  • Supporting the development of value-added products, such as processed foods, that can generate more income for farmers
  • Providing access to credit and other financial services, such as insurance, to help farmers manage risks and invest in their businesses
  • Promoting policies and programs that support small-scale farmers and protect their land rights
  • Investing in research and development to develop new technologies and innovations that can support sustainable agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods

These are just a few examples of how sustainable agriculture and rural development can be supported. It is vital to involve widows and local leaders in designing and implementing these strategies to ensure that they are effective and sustainable.

A crucial factor in promoting sustainable agriculture is climate change, and therefore, in the framework of ensuring economic sustainability, we must interrogate means with which we can mitigate the effects of climate change. 

Some approaches that can be undertaken include developing and implementing policies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as by promoting the use of renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency.

Governments can invest in infrastructure and technology that can help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as building more resilient homes and roads and developing early warning systems for extreme weather events.

Supporting the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands can help to absorb carbon dioxide and reduce the impacts of climate change.

Promoting sustainable agriculture and land use practices, such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture, can help to reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and improve crop yields.

Engaging with local communities, governments, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of climate change and its impacts, and to identify and implement effective solutions.

Addressing climate change for marginalized communities will require a combination of efforts at the local, national, and global levels, involving all sectors of society.

Three women seated side by side wearing floral dresses and traditional african headwraps

HOW DOES WIDOWHOOD INTERSECT WITH OTHER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION?

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Three women seated side by side wearing floral dresses and traditional african headwraps

More needs to be done to sensitize the public on discrimination against widows and how to seek help.

When a woman’s value is contingent on having a spouse, widowhood can force women out of familial and social structures, leaving them particularly vulnerable to poverty, isolation, and violence. These challenges may be compounded by struggles that widows face on account of other intersecting identities: Black and Indigenous women, women affected by conflict, women with disabilities, women of young and older ages, women living in poverty or rural areas, and other marginalized identities.

Race may be a social construct but it’s one with consequences that may span generations. While both Black and white families can experience upward or downward wealth mobility from one generation to the next, studies show the dramatic socioeconomic disadvantages for Black families have persisted across generations.

The authors find that to be a black widow is literally like jumping from a frying pan into the fire. They quote, “the family prevalence of unemployment—having multiple family members unemployed at the same time—is greater for Blacks widows than whites.” Not only are economic hardships more pervasive among Black widows and socioeconomic resources more common among white families, but the difference in resource availability from relatives is also striking in the event of economic hardship. 

Being a widow with disabilities presents a unique set of challenges. We know that women with disabilities face significantly more difficulties – in both public and private spheres – in attaining access to adequate housing, health, education, vocational training, and employment, and are more likely to be institutionalized, this effect is compounded when one is a widow. As with all women, widows also experience inequality in  hiring, promotion rates and pay for equal work, access to training and retraining, credit, and other productive resources, and rarely participate in economic decision-making

Promoting gender equality and empowerment of women is essential to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. Women and girls with disabilities experience double discrimination, which places them at higher risk of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation, and widowhood makes this problem multiply a hundredfold. The global literacy rate is as low as one per cent for women with disabilities, according to a UNDP study. The World Bank reports that every minute more than 30 women are seriously injured or disabled during labour and that those 15-50 million women generally go unnoticed.

Gendered ageism is the intersectionality of age, gender bias and widowhood. In the workplace, this is a growing concern for professional women especially those identified as widows.

Society’s emphasis on what is defined as ‘lookism’, which is the importance of a youthful and attractive appearance, puts women and widows under a microscope as they show visible signs of ageing. Because of ‘lookism’, women face ageism earlier than their male counterparts. The bias erodes widows’ and women’s self-esteem and confidence, but the effects of gendered ageism on professional women go beyond the pressure they may feel to look young. This form of bias affects their job security and financial future as they are perceived in the workplace as being less valuable, less competent, and irrelevant as they age

Most women and significant widows in Africa are subjected to various forms of gender-based discrimination and remain marginalized in many spheres, including the enjoyment of economic rights. In spite of their active roles in the economic sector, they own or control less of the land, capital, or other assets and earn the lowest income. Discriminatory laws, cultural and/or religious norms, and traditions that perpetuate their exclusion from access, and control over resources continue to adversely affect their economic status within the family and the society. Across the Continent, constitutions, and laws often enshrine the principle of equality and non-discrimination, and further guarantee a range of economic, social, and cultural rights for women. However, the gendered dimensions of economic inequality remain vigorous. Weak laws as well as lack of enforcement reinforce discrimination against women and perpetuate their inequality in the economic sphere.

FROM THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH TO A SHINING BEACON FOR ALL

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She stands in the scorched remains of what was once her home, her heart heavy with grief and loss. Tears stream down her face as she remembers the laughter and love that once filled these walls, now reduced to ashes in the wake of the ethnic clashes that ravaged her hometown in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. 

Her husband, taken too soon, was one of the many innocent victims caught in the crossfire of the violence that tore apart their community. And now, as a widow with no means to support herself, she is faced with the daily struggles of poverty, the heartache of losing her loved one, and the constant fear of being homeless and exposed to the elements.

The future once seemed so uncertain, with no end in sight to the poverty and heartache she was experiencing. The thought of raising her children on her own, without a husband to provide for them, filled her with fear and desperation. She often found herself wandering the streets of her hometown, searching for any sign of hope and relief.

And yet, even in the face of such overwhelming challenges, she refused to give up. She remembered the words of her husband, who always told her that no matter what life throws their way, they would always find a way to make it through together. Those words now echoed in her mind, giving her the strength to carry on and find a way to provide for her family.

And then, one day, a glimmer of light appeared on the horizon. The Goat Foundation came to her hometown in Machakos County, Kenya, bringing with them a message of hope and support. With the help of the foundation, she was able to start a small goat-rearing business, providing her with a steady source of income and a means to support herself and her children. And as her business grew, so did her sense of pride and independence, a reminder that even in the midst of tragedy, there is always a path forward.

The foundation not only provided her with financial support, but also with training and resources to help her grow her business and ensure its success. She was able to purchase more goats and expand her operation, eventually becoming a leader in her community and an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.

Through hard work and determination, the widow has triumphed over the hardships that once seemed insurmountable, and now stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for her community, proof that with support and opportunity, anyone can overcome even the greatest of obstacles. 

She will always carry the memory of her husband in her heart, but now she is able to move forward with confidence, knowing that she has the strength and support to build a better future for herself and her children.

 

WHY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT SOCIETY LOOKS AFTER ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED WIDOWS.

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Widows who are economically disadvantaged may face a range of challenges and hardships, including poverty, social isolation, and lack of access to essential services. Providing support to these women can help to alleviate some of these challenges and improve their quality of life.

Supporting widows who are economically disadvantaged can help to promote gender equality and reduce discrimination based on gender. Widows, especially in some parts of the world, may face discrimination and unequal treatment due to their gender, and providing support can help to combat these inequalities.

Widows who are economically disadvantaged may have dependents, such as children or elderly parents, who are also in need of support. Providing support to the widow can help to ensure that her dependents are also taken care of.

Providing support to widows who are economically disadvantaged can help to strengthen communities and promote social cohesion. When individuals and families are able to overcome economic challenges, they are more likely to be able to participate fully in their communities and contribute to their well-being.

Finally, providing support to widows who are economically disadvantaged is simply the right thing to do. It is a matter of social justice and human rights, and it reflects the values of compassion and empathy that are important in any society.

Widowed households can be economically empowered in different ways as has been witnessed by different organizations including The Goat Foundation. Some approaches that have proven to be successful in this effort include:

  • Providing access to financial services and resources, such as microloans, savings accounts, and financial education, can help widows to start or expand a small business, save money, and build assets.
  • Offering vocational training and education programs that can help widows to develop new skills and knowledge, and increase their employability in a variety of industries.
  • Supporting the development of cooperatives and other forms of collective enterprise, which can provide widows with a platform to share resources, access markets, and generate income.
  • Providing access to market information and other business development services, such as technical assistance and mentoring, can help widows to overcome barriers to entrepreneurship and to succeed in a competitive economy.
  • Engaging with local communities, governments, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the economic challenges faced by widows, and to advocate for policies and programs that can support their economic empowerment.

Overall, empowering widows economically requires a holistic approach that addresses the many challenges and opportunities faced by this vulnerable population. By providing access to resources and support, and by creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and economic growth, it is possible to promote sustainable economic empowerment for widows in Africa.

The 7th Goat Giveback: A group of women standing together each holding leashes to 2 pairs of goats.

THE NOVEMBER 9TH GIVE-BACK CEREMONY

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Written By Thomas Kagwa

The 7th Goat Giveback: A group of women standing together each holding leashes to 2 pairs of goats.

Beneficiaries of the 7th Goat Foundation Giveback in Mariakani, Kilifi County, Kenya.

Under the sweltering heat of the afternoon sun on the Kenyan coast, an eager crowd gathers outside a church. Most community meetings take place here. However today, they are here for a different kind of engagement. The congregants were selected for a relief program by a philanthropic organization known as The Goat foundation. The founder of this pioneering venture is due to arrive shortly and tension is palpable. Times have been hard of late, and as the drought persists most villagers are facing starvation and malnutrition. Assistance in whatever form is literally a lifesaver. From a distance, a dusty convoy of three cars snakes its way slowly toward the village. Two pick-up trucks and a Toyota LandCruiser come to a halt outside the church. The crowd surges forward. Steve Down, the Founder, and CEO of The Goat Foundation steps out of the Toyota four-wheel-drive vehicle and walks purposefully toward church elders and a raft of community leaders. Mr. Steve Down realizes the crucial role played by these leaders. Local leaders help identify the most vulnerable members in need of immediate help. The waiting list for recipients is usually long and logistical planning and organization play a crucial role in the success of this project. Mr. Down exchanges greetings with most of the assembled crowd while nearby at a  makeshift stand some officials from his organization are busy sorting out the names of the beneficiaries of this program. 

Each family receives a male and a female goat, that hopefully will procreate and enlarge the herd while providing milk for drinking. These goats have been sourced from businessmen within the community. This ensures that the project benefits both the recipients and local businesses. Mr. Steve Down smiles and chats with the locals, feeling quite at home in a remote village thousands of miles from his hometown in Utah USA. 

The 7th Giveback: A white man standing, greeting an old woman amongst a group of women standing infront of him

The Goat FOundation Founder, Steve Down greeted one of the widows joyful to be part of the beneficiaries in the giveback.

His affability and charisma are infectious, and you are left with little doubt that Mr. Down holds a deep conviction about his purpose here. 

A member of his staff is scheduled to conduct a brief financial literacy class. Most recipients of these donations need training on how to utilize the animals they receive in wealth creation. This is one of Mr. Down’s proudest achievements. Whenever he comes back to visit a previous recipient of his donations, he is always amazed at the transformative improvement in the fortunes of those who made the effort to apply his financial literacy skills.   

Steve is also the founder and CEO of Financially Fit, a for-profit company in the Finance Education industry that offers financial literacy through personal wealth education. As a Cause Capitalist, he founded The Goat foundation, through which he donates 1% of Financially Fit’s earnings towards poverty alleviation by donating goats to the needy in society. 

Today Steve is witnessing the fruition of his vision created under the Cause Capitalism philosophy. The philosophy surrounding this concept blends philanthropy, entrepreneurial spirit, corporate social responsibility, and capitalism ideals into a mission whose purpose is to help the less fortunate members living in the surrounding community where his business was located. with a deep sense of purpose. Simply put, Cause Capitalism is where a for-profit business company agrees to partner with a non-profit organization and donates a percentage of its gross sales to the non-profit. 

Soon crowds begin to gather as other villagers noticed the presence of visitors. Every eye turns towards him. Apparently, they expect him to give a speech. Well, this was unplanned, Steve chuckles to himself as he turns to the church Reverend sitting on his right. The deeply lined face of the priest nods in a smile urging him to speak to the crowd.

Steve is aware that a lot still needs to be done, and as he walks back towards his vehicle to depart, his normally serene features harden in a steely determination with another resolve to help more people. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE KILIFI GIVEBACK

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A woman greeting a man while holding a pair of goats by their leash

A beneficiary of The Goat Foundation giveback in Majajani village, Kilifi County Kenya, greets Founder Steve Down

The Goat Foundation was started with a vision of reaching out to the most vulnerable families across rural Kenya. The founder, Steve Down, met a family at one of the funerals he attended during his first visit to Kenya. The woman who continues to propagate this vision was widowed and left with 4 children.  She only had a vegetable garden that she thought would sustain her young family. 

Steve Down learnt that goat farming was one of the climate-smart methods of agriculture that people living in ASALS were fast embracing. He took it upon himself to help this family by donating 2 goats (a he-goat and a she-goat.) 

This inspired his vision of ensuring no family lacks basic resources or goes to bed hopeless. 

So far, The Goat Foundation has donated 850 goats across Kenya and empowered 500 households through the cause initiative. Recipient families are asked to donate the firstborn goat from each pair to the next village family in need. This could provide perpetual giving of goats and nutrition. 

Our vision is in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals 1,2,&5. (No poverty, No hunger and Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls). We envision a hunger-free Africa where its most marginalized populations have a chance at wealth creation. 

The issue- What we are solving? 

  1. Poverty- to ensure widows earn a sustainable income through climate-smart agriculture
  2. Hunger- to ensure no widows and their beneficiaries go to bed hungry. 
  3. Injustice- to create awareness of the tribulations faced by widows and ensure their rights are withheld.  

Our Cause Capitalism Philosophy.

A man with many microphones held in front of him

Founder of The Goat Foundation, Steve Down Addressing the press during the goat giveback

Cause Capitalism according to Steve Down is when a for-profit company partners with a nonprofit, not as a gimmick but as a true sustainable partner. 

We believe that for-profit companies should ensure sustainability around the communities they operate in, to promote economic inclusion. 

Companies have to ensure people benefit positively from their creations. That is why we advocate for For-profit and non-profit partnerships. 

Non-profits address global issues by reaching out directly to vulnerable groups. They educate, enable and empower them. This can only be possible if they have financial access to ensure this happens. 

Therefore, we call on more stakeholders to join our cause capitalism initiative and make the world a better place. 

 

The 200 Goat Donation. 

Financially Fit through The Goat Foundation will donate 200 goats to 100 low-income households in Mariakani, Kilifi County. We work through partnerships with like-minded institutions and strongly believe in the power of the media to amplify the impact of climate change on low-income households fully dependent on agriculture and call for mitigation across all sectors. For this reason, we invite you to witness the impactful donation from The Goat Foundation. 

We look forward to hosting you on the 8th of November 2022. 

 

HOW ADULT EDUCATION IS EMPOWERING WIDOWS IN RURAL KENYA IN THEIR EFFORT TO OVERCOME MARGINALIZATION

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A bolack woman wi

TGF October newsletter – Empowering Widows with education to overcome marginalization.

The Goat Foundation has taken note of how the Kenya Adult Learners’ Association (KALA) plays an important role in promoting micro-enterprises and advancement in the informal business sector as a way of alleviating widows’ unemployment and high rural poverty in Kenya. We are cognizant of the fact that helping widows in the pursuit of socio-economic emancipation is a multi-pronged approach that requires the input of many stakeholders. 

 

The World Bank states that strong job growth is only possible with the legitimization of the informal business sector, which can increase household productivity. Accordingly, the Economic Empowerment Programme implemented by KALA tackles the vulnerability of farmers to climatic conditions – a serious challenge to development in rural Kenya – by equipping widows with skills which allow them to engage in other income-generating activities besides farming.

By focusing on widows in rural areas as a target group, KALA’s literacy programme addresses some of the country’s major problems: educational shortcomings, poverty, unemployment and social marginalization.

 

The Economic Empowerment and Functional Adult Literacy Programme has been implemented by the Kenya Adult Learners’ Association (KALA) in various rural areas of Kenya. The programme aims to provide hands-on training to economically empower widows by equipping them with basic literacy and functional skills. Economic empowerment refers to entrepreneurship and management training, which enables the target group to pursue income-generating activities. Such activities lead to important supplementary income, thereby reducing the dependency of households on income from weather-dependent activities such as farming.

Aims and Objectives:

  • Improve the lives of widows through functional literacy by increasing the enrolment of learners in literacy classes;
  • Facilitate entrepreneurship and management training for widows and facilitators;
  • Improve networking and sharing of experiences among groups/members through peer learning exchange programmes;
  • Initiate a capital savings grant to widow groups;
  • Provide learning and teaching materials for the literacy classes; and
  • Monitor and supervise small businesses and literacy classes.

 

The first area is the empowerment of widows’ groups through the application of economic and literacy skills (functional adult literacy).

The second aspect is based on developing economic literacy skills where adult learners acquire reading, writing and arithmetic skills, while KALA integrates supplementary entrepreneurship and management training outside the traditional reading and writing context.

The third component of the KALA literacy programme is a supplementary kitchen-garden programme, which is meant to improve widows’ knowledge of agricultural production and food provision. In addition to contributing to widow’s empowerment, the kitchen-garden programme has domestic importance, as women are the main providers of food at the household level. Due to unpredictable weather patterns, subsistence farming cannot always guarantee a sufficient food supply, or indeed a surplus income. Issues of poverty and hunger in rural areas are therefore alleviated through the kitchen-garden project.

 

The fourth aspect focuses on health. In order to improve health conditions in rural areas, the KALA literacy programme includes primary health education, as well as information on HIV and AIDS control, prevention and care. Widows also learn about the care of orphans and vulnerable children, enabling them to provide children with basic health care services.

The empowerment of widows through literacy has meant that they have become more actively engaged in decision-making at the household level, and widows can pursue and advocate their own interests. One impact of the programme has been the alleviation of women’s marginalization within society, as improved literacy has given widows’ a greater level of social, economic and political status.

ADVANCING WIDOW’S RIGHTS TO LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES THROUGH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

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A group of people smiling standing next to a woman holding a goat by its leash

Widows have a right to own property

Over the last decade, Kenya has taken some steps to promote fairness and secure women’s rights within the institution of marriage. The promulgation of the progressive 2010 Constitution and the enactment of the Matrimonial Property Act of 2013 (‘MPA’) have been significant steps in the right direction. The act abolished the unconstitutional marital powers of the husband and placed husbands and wives on equal footing. Men and women who are married in civil marriages in community of property must now consult each other on all important financial transactions, as equal partners. 

Before the Act was passed, the common law concept of “marital power” gave the husband the right to control the joint estate. Even though half of everything belonged to the wife, the husband had the authority to administer the estate on behalf of the couple.

Section 5 gives equal power to spouses married in community of property: to dispose of the assets of the joint estate; to contract debts for which the joint estate is liable; to administer the joint estate.

Section 6 states that “a spouse married in community of property may perform any juristic act with regard to the joint estate without the consent of the other spouse”. 

Provides women married in a community of property equal access to bank loans and ownership of property without the consent of their partner.  

Makes the age of consent for entry into civil marriage 18 years for both sexes, and provides that men and women are equal before the law.

Provides that immovable property, such as a communal house, must be registered in both spouses’ names. The sale of such property has to be approved by both parties. Likewise, the act provides for equal guardianship over minor children of the marriage.

When a marriage in community of property ends, any liabilities are settled out of the joint estate. If the marriage ended in divorce, the remainder of the estate is normally divided equally between the spouses. 

If the marriage ended due to the death of one spouse, the surviving spouse keeps his or her own half-share and the deceased spouse’s half-share is distributed in terms of the law of succession or intestacy.

 

In marriages out of community of property, the assets and debts of the husband and wife remain separate. Ownership of property remains with the person who acquired it. If the marriage ends, each spouse retains his or her own separate belongings.

The Act also makes it clear that both husbands and wives in marriages out of community of property bear responsibility for making contributions to household necessities in proportion to their resources. Both spouses are jointly and severally liable to third parties for all debts incurred by either of them for necessities for the joint household. A spouse who has contributed more than his or her fair share for such necessities has a right of recourse against the other spouse.

Couples who have entered into antenuptial agreements sometimes use a variation of community of property known as the “accrual system”.

In this system, the property owned by the husband and the wife before the marriage remains their separate property, and property acquired during the marriage is administered as separate property. When the marriage comes to an end, husband and wife share equally all of the property and assets that were added to the household during the marriage. There is no sharing of losses, only of profits.