Wife refusing to buy food

My wife and I have been married for 2 years now. Our marriage was perfect until recently when I lost my job after the company I worked for shut down operations in Tanzania. I have been searching for another job for six months now while maintaining her with my savings. However, this may become impossible in the coming months because my savings are running out. My wife, who is employed, does not want to help me even buy food, and she has threatened to leave me if I do not get a job soon. This is unfair. What does the law say when a man finds himself in this situation? Please guide me.
LM, Lindi

We are sorry to hear about your situation and hope you can overcome it soon. Section 63 of the Law of Marriage Act, Cap.29 [R.E 2019] (the Law of Marriage) provides that it is the husband’s duty to maintain and provide accommodation, clothing and food to the wife or wives. However, this duty may also lie on the wife, who has the means to do so if her husband is incapacitated, wholly or partially, from earning a livelihood because of mental or physical injury or ill health. This doesn’t apply in your case. Moreover, since you are not suffering from physical or mental illness, you still have the duty to maintain your wife and cannot shift this obligation to her.

Quite unfortunately, in this regard, your wife is legally entitled to refuse to buy food, although you may not see this as fair on your part. Having said that, this still isn’t a reasonable ground for leaving you. Some people believe this provision of the Law of Marriage is harsh on men, but it is the law of the land which citizens must respect and abide by. We suggest you find a way to discuss this further with your wife. You might also want to lobby to get the law changed!

Lastly you might want to get a marriage counsellor or family member to assist intervene. Lawyers can come in later as they can also complicate maters!