Polygyny and Women’s Status: Myths and Evidence

Intimate Partner Violence and Age at Marriage in Mali: The Moderating Influence of Polygynous Unions

“…Women's age at marriage also appears to influence the risk of experiencing IPV. Early age at marriage has been found to increase the odds of experiencing IPV in several countries, including Afghanistan (Qamar et al, 2020) and Peru (Flake, 2005), although this association was not found in Mali (Salihu et al, 2012). Later age at marriage, on the other hand, has been found to be associated with a reduced likelihood of reporting IPV in the Congo (Tlapek, 2015).…”

“…Polygyny, which entails the marriage of a man to multiple women, is the most common form of polygamy and is particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (Pesando, 2020). The percentage of women in a polygynous union ranges from 11.4% to 53% across sub-Saharan African countries (Bove & Valeggia, 2009).…”

“…In addition, women's supportive attitudes toward IPV, and their level of education, decision-making, and working status are associated with IPV victimization (Fakir et al, 2016; Hayes & Randa, 2021; Koenig et al, 2003; Seidu et al, 2022; Wheeler et al, 2020). Polygyny and women's early marriage have also been identified as risk factors for IPV (Abramsky et al, 2011; Coll et al, 2020; Izugbara et al, 2020; Qamar et al, 2020; Salihu et al, 2012). This is especially pertinent in Mali, where many women marry at young ages and are in polygynous unions (DHS, 2018).…”