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.

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. An effort led in mid 2008 to outlaw polygamy in the country was fiercely opposed by Islamic religious leaders.