Polygamy in Sierra Leone

Polygamy is prohibited under Sierra Leone’s Penal Code. Polygamy is authorised in customary marriages, where a man can take as many wives as he wishes.[1]

Prevalence of polygamy

37 percent of married women in Sierra Leone were in polygamous marriages in 2008.[2] 29.7% of married girls aged 15-19 reported that their husband had more than one wife.[3]

References

  1. ↑ [CEDAW (2007), Responses to the List of Issues And Questions with Regard to the Consideration of the Combined Initial, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Periodic Reports: Sierra Leone, CEDAW/C/SLE/Q/5/Add. 1, CEDAW, New York, NY, p. 17.]
  2. ↑ "Sierra Leone, Demographic and Health Survey 2008", Statistics Sierra Leone - Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone, ICF Macro Calverton, Maryland USA, July 2009, p. 84.
  3. ↑ "Sierra Leone, Demographic and Health Survey 2008", Statistics Sierra Leone - Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone, ICF Macro Calverton, Maryland USA, July 2009, p. 85.