In a heartwarming ceremony aimed at formalizing long-standing relationships, six couples in Wum municipality, Menchum Division, exchanged vows in a mass marriage event. The initiative, a collaboration between the Divisional Delegation of Women Empowerment and the Family for Menchum and the Wum Council, sought to legitimize unions, some of which had spanned over three decades as ‘come we stay’ arrangements.
The solemn vow-taking ceremony, held recently, was officiated by Councillor Hamza Umaru, the 1st Deputy Mayor of Wum Council. The event was graced by the presence of the 2nd Assistant SDO for Menchum, underscoring the importance placed on family and social stability by local authorities.
A central theme of the mass marriage was to “break the yoke” of ‘come we stay’ arrangements, which often leave couples and their families in a legal limbo. Among the six couples, the oldest had lived together informally for an astonishing 31 years before formalizing their union. Other couples had shared 4, 10, and 15 years together, while the youngest pair, who had known each other for just six months, also seized the opportunity to solidify their bond.
Significantly, the solemnization of these marriages coincided with the celebration of Pan-African Women’s Day. This year’s observance carried a resonant call to “Eliminate barriers that hinder the realization of women’s right to education.” To Mme Tasah Joana, Divisional Delegate of Women empowerment and the Family, the formalization of family units through such ceremonies can contribute to a stable societal fabric, indirectly supporting the broader goals of women’s empowerment and access to fundamental rights like education.
The mass marriage event in Wum stands as a testament to communal efforts in promoting legal unions and strengthening the family institution within the municipality.