Polygamy in Liberia

While polygamous unions are unlawful under the Liberian civil code, such marriages are perfectly permissible under the Liberia's customary law.

Dynamics

According to reports, polygamous marriages make up about one-third of all Liberian marriages. One third of married women in the age group 15-49, are in polygamous marriages.OECD Atlas of Gender and Development: How Social Norms Affect Gender Equality in non-OECD Countries, OECD Publishing, 2010. p 236.

Customary law allows men to have up to 4 wives. Customary law restricts a married woman's rights to inherit property from her spouse. When widowed, women are at the mercy of the customary laws that are not subject to the civil courts.Olukoju, Ayodeji. "Gender Roles, Marriage and Family."Culture and Customs of Liberia . Westport : Greenwood Press, 2006. p 98.

See also

* Gender inequality in Liberia

References

{{Polygamous marriage

Polygamy in Africa
Polygamy by country, Liberia
Culture of Liberia