Marriage history, early union, and domestic violence: Understanding women’s entry into polygynous marriages in Somalia

Afr J Reprod Health. 2025 Nov 25;29(11):136-144. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i11.12.

ABSTRACT

Polygyny shaped by cultural and religious norms is prevalent among Somalis. Systematic research on polygyny is scant. This study, therefore, examines the prevalence and determinants of polygyny among Somali women. The study draws on a pooled sample of 10,601 ever-married women from the 2006 and 2011 Somali Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Descriptive statistics and multivariable binary logistic regression were utilized. Overall, about 20% of the women were in polygynous marriages, a proportion was higher among women with more children. Being in a polygynous marriage was also associated with early marriage, remarriage, being married to older husbands, and rural residence. Women from Somaliland were less likely to be in polygynous marriages compared to those from other parts of Somalia. Nonetheless, justifying domestic violence was not associated with being in a polygynous marriage. There is a call for the promotion of empowerment of women and investigations into the lived, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences of polygyny among Somali women.

PMID:41288502 | DOI:10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i11.12