Polygamy in Malawi

While polygamous marriages are not legally recognized under the civil marriage laws of Malawi, customary law affords a generous amount of benefits to polygamous unions, ranging from inheritance rights to child custody. It has been estimated that nearly one in five women in Malawi live in polygamous relationships.^[1]

Efforts to outlaw polygamy

Efforts to abolish the practice and legal recognition of polygamy have been widely apparent throughout the recent years in Malawi; led mainly by anti-AIDS organizations and feminist groups.^[2] An effort led in mid 2008 to outlaw polygamy in the country was fiercely opposed by Islamic religious leaders.

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