An Analysis of Polygyny in Ghana: The Perpetuation of Gender Based Inequality in Africa

In this article, Ghana is used as a representative of Sub-Saharan African countries where polygyny (i.e. man with more than one wife) is practiced. With reference to the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), ICESCR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women), UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the authors discuss the specific violations of women's rights that can occur in polygynous marriages such as inequality within marriages, increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, ill effects on mental health and increased vulnerability to domestic violence. Suggestions to reduce the incidence of polygyny include a uniform marriage code and registration system and the criminalization of polygyny. [Descriptors: Marriage, International - Africa]