Polygamy is more common among men in Somalia, who can marry up to four wives. However, women have on occasion taken a second husband without an official divorce, often for economic reasons.

What age do you get married in Somalia?

Marriage under 18 is not illegal, although Somalias constitution prohibits it and the country is signed up to several international treaties promising to tackle it. In July 2014, the government signed a charter committing to end child marriage by 2020.

Is polygamy practiced today?

So where is polygamy most commonly practiced today? Pews data shows that around 2 percent of the global population currently lives in a polygamous household and it is most frequently seen in parts of West and Central Africa where it remains legal.