大象传媒

鈥淚f you鈥檙e poor in Kinshasa, you are going to stay single, even to the day you die.鈥�

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, it鈥檚 traditional for a man to pay a dowry to the family of the woman he wants to marry. But in recent years the cost has spiralled 鈥� with some parents asking for thousands of pounds, or even items like flat-screen TVs.

And there are also fees to be paid by those wanting to get legally married after their first traditional marriage.

The rising expense has meant many couples are choosing not to get married at all 鈥� leading churches and the government to launch a campaign last year called 鈥榩rojet marriage鈥� in an effort to encourage people to tie the knot.

It鈥檚 involved some mass-weddings to help those who otherwise couldn鈥檛 afford to marry, and the government is trying to push a bill through parliament to place a limit on fees and dowries.

For Africa Daily, Sara Menai speaks to one of the couples who got married in a mass wedding this summer, and L茅onnie Kandolo, Minister of Gender, Family and Children, who says marriage is vital for protecting the interests of women.

Producer: Njoroge Muigai