gisw13_chapters

her capacity to engage people. She shared her dailyschedule, uploaded pictures, answered questionsand shared information. But there was great doubtabout her age, and her capacity to pull through in theelections. She did, and became one of the youngestmembers of parliament in the country’s history.Au revoir to Article 53 and major changes to agroup of related lawsOne of the major constitutional revisions that wereundertaken by the newly elected parliament concernsthe family. The Ministry of Justice and theMinistry for Family, Women and Children Affairssuggested the abolishment of Article 53 of the FamilyCode, and in consequence alterations to Articles58, 59, 60 and 67 of the same code.What did they say? What was to change?Article 53 states that both spouses shall contributeto family expenses in proportion to theirrespective capacities. In the event that any spouserefuses this obligation, s/he may be obligated bya court of law to do so. Article 58 states that thehusband is the head of the family. He exercisesthis function in the common interest of the homeand children. The wife supports the husband inensuring the moral and material direction of thehome. She cares for the home, raises the childrenand sees to their well-being. The wife replaces thehusband in the event that he is unable to play hisrole as the head.In keeping with the above, Article 59 statesthat the husband is the principal breadwinner ofthe family. He has an obligation to provide for theeconomic needs of the wife according to his capacity.If he does not fulfil this obligation, he maybe obligated by a court of law to do so. Article 60states that the choice of residence for the family ismade by the husband and the wife is obliged to livethere. Article 67 states that a wife may engage ina profession different from that of the husband aslong as the profession is not contrary to the interestof the family.On 26 September 2012, the government votedto change these articles. In its note of intention, thegovernment explained that the reasons behind thechanges were:• A drive for shared responsibility of spouses inmarriage, conferring to both the equal moraland material direction of the family• The need for both spouses to contribute to familyexpenses• To secure a common agreement in the choice ofa residence• To allow both spouses to freely choose a profession• To spur the autonomy of women• To conform to international standards.Following the decision, Article 53 was annulled. Article58 now states that both spouses jointly head the familyin the common interest of the home and children.They shall both cater to the moral and material needsof the family, provide for the education of the childrenand ensure their future. In keeping with the above, Article59 now states that both spouses contribute to the114 / Global Information Society Watch